Free Lyme Disease Seminar,

Health Fair At WestConn

DANBURY — Spring time means Lyme time and this year Western Connecticut State University Health Promotion students and area Lyme Disease Task Forces have teamed up to present an information-packed event including prevention, treatment, and patient support resources.

The free tick-borne disease health fair and seminar is being held on Wednesday evening, April 7, from 6 to 9, at the Westside Campus Student Center.

Featured speakers are Lyme disease specialist Dr Richard Horowitz, of Hyde Park, N.Y., Pat Smith, president of the national Lyme Disease Association, and Jennifer Reid from the BLAST Lyme Prevention Program.

The partnership between WestConn and area Lyme Disease Task Forces grew out of a community needs assessment health promotion students conducted in 2008. Surveys and focus groups indicated that long-term Lyme disease patients were facing numerous challenges in their effort to recover.

“The patients we spoke to clearly felt they were struggling to gather information, manage their lives and connect with the resources that could be helpful,” stated health promotion major Jessica Mahon.  “We knew we wanted to teach the community about prevention, but we couldn’t ignore the message that patients wanted more support.”                                                 

Working together with the Brookfield, Newtown, and Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Forces, students designed a comprehensive program including speakers and exhibitors available to assist patients and their families in the Danbury area. Students are also compiling a patient resource directory that will be available free at the event.

The health fair begins at 6 pm in the Student Center Ballroom and the presentations start at 7 pm. The WCSU Westside Student Center is located at 43 Lake Avenue Extension