Going from booth to booth students of all ages from New Britain had the chance to learn about everything health related Tuesday as the New Britain Health Academy held its second Health & Wellness Fair. 

“All schools from pre-school to middle schools to high schools were able to attend,” said MichaelKnight Zayas, health teacher at the academy. “ This is our second year for this and we expect to have over one-thousand people.” 

At the New Britain Health District booth brochures were given out, questions were answered and a game was played to see if students knew the things they should.  Questions included such things as “Name 2 of the top 10 public health accomplishments in the 20th Century.” 

“A lot has not been exposed to the students in the public health field,” said Ramona Anderson, immunization program coordinator at the health district. “ Public health is one of the most important areas in the state.” 

Central Connecticut State University nursing students took students blood pressure and taught them how important it is to maintain a good pressure reading. 

“We talked to them on how to decrease it if needed,” said Jenna Roberts, students nurse at CCSU. “ No one has yet come who has had high blood pressure.” 

The nursing students also asked if anyone could say the word “sphygmomanometer” properly. 

A sphygmomanometer is a device used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. 

There were several inflatable booths such as the Mega Brain and the Mega Heart.  Walking around the inflatable brain you could find the spots on the brain where issues were likely to occur.  Some include brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, and brain aneurysms. 

Bob Grinham of Medical Inflatables said the inflatables were shown on such programs as Dr. Oz. 

“It was designed by a neurologist and shows multiple defects,” said Grinham. “ The kids are very excited about it.” 

Students said the event held a lot of interesting learning aspects. 

“I like how it’s really interactive,” said Shiara Negron of New Britain High School. “ The inflatable objects were really interesting.  I think the entire event was well thought out.” 

Health Academy students, Hospital for Special Care, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, the Petit Family Foundation, the New Britain Department of Public Health, CCSU Nursing Department and UConn Poison Control Center had information and screenings available on various topics, including the importance of hand washing, sunscreen and skin protection, blood pressure, glucose screening, nutrition/healthy eating/weight management, fitness, smoking cessation, trauma, stroke screenings, lead and poison control. 

“We were able to do this through a Petit Family Foundation Grant,” said Zayas. “ Dr. Petit was even in attendance here.”