The Center for Outreach, Aging, Alzheimer’s and Community Health (COAACH) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is hosting a community cookout and health fair on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will take place at 2105 Yanceyville St. and is open to the public, with registration recommended.
Under the leadership of its new director, Travonia Brown-Hughes, Ph.D., COAACH is relaunching its outreach activities and services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for African Americans and vulnerable communities living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, their families, and caregivers through education and community support.
Several local partners will be present at the event to offer free health resources, dental and health screenings, as well as blood pressure and glucose checks. COAACH aims to promote healthy aging, showcase student engagement in neuroscience research, and provide support groups and activities for local caregivers. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, a 2020 estimate from the Alzheimer’s Association revealed that about 210,000 North Carolinians were living with Alzheimer’s disease, but only about half of them were diagnosed. In 2022, approximately 369,000 North Carolinians were providing unpaid care to their loved ones with dementia while managing their own chronic health conditions or facing depression.
COAACH’s core programs focus on caregiver support
