ORLANDO, Florida - (September 3, 2010) – Due to the overwhelming community support, the 8th Annual Caribbean Health Summit is expected to provide more screenings and tests to individuals and families compared to other years. It is expected that more than 2, 000 people will receive one or more free test or screening at this year’s event. The Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. (CMWP) is collaborating with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Inc., Orange County Health Department and several Community Partners, to host the 8th Annual Caribbean Health Summit. This community event will take place on Saturday, September 11th, 2010 at the Central Florida Fair & Exposition Park (Fairgrounds), located on West Colonial drive, Orlando. The Health Fair is free and will be open to the general public from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Community support came in the form of sponsorship and funding from many organizations that understand the value and the need of providing these free health screenings to the uninsured and underinsured. Dr. Marie Joşe Francois, event coordinator and executive director of CMWP, said that “I was surprisingly pleased to see the range of support that we received this year, even in spite of the present economic downturn. Many of our sponsors recognized that the very people who are attending this event are the ones who have recently lost their jobs and do not have the resources to obtain medical insurance. I am very pleased with the support and want all sponsors that it is through their support that CMWP can continue to enhance the quality of life of the diverse population in Central Florida”. This year summit is being co-chaired by Daisy Lynum – Mayor Pro-Term, Orlando City Commissioner, District 5 and Geraldine Thompson, Florida State Representative, District 39.

Funding for this year’s event was received from several organizations such as Florida Hospital, Nirvana Health Services, Florida Department of Health/Bureau of HIV/AIDS, Liberty National, Wellcare, Orange County Health Department/Office of Community Health, Sunshine State Health Plan, Care Plus Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield- Central Florida Region, City of Orlando- Parks and Recreations, Community Health Centers, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Health Stat Rx LLC, Mills Park Dental, Primary Care Access Network, Vitas, Visionary Vanguard Group, Merck & Co. Inc., and many other community supporters.

It is our hope that this year’s theme “Your Health Matters” will motivate individuals to make their health a priority, by taking the necessary actions to improve their health and well-being. The Health Summit will provide participants from the Central Florida and Caribbean communities of all ages, health information, educational seminars and access to free health screenings for hypertension, diabetes, BMI, cholesterol, HIV, lung function, prostate, breast and cervical cancer. Through these screenings, any individual with abnormal readings will be referred to an appropriate medical home.

The Caribbean Health Summit encourages Central Florida’s communities to come out together to enjoy a full day of fun and health screenings.

The Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization with the mission to enhance the quality of life for diverse and ethnic populations through the provision of health promotion services in Central Florida.

CMWP is an established non-clinical setting and has a well-defined history of providing health education and outreach to Central Florida’s minority population. The organization has successfully partnered with community and social agencies to effectively address the health education needs of Central Florida’s minority communities. For more information about the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention Inc., please call (407)648-9440 or visit our website at www.cmwp.org