Friday, residents of the Black Belt are invited to become more educated on some of the health risks they face every day through a health fair at Central Alabama Child Development.

The fair, which is open to residents of Dallas, Marengo and Wilcox counties, will offer a wide variety of tests and screenings, parent involvement specialist Regina Woods said.

“We are going to do some HIV testing, height and weights, glucose, and we will also have Sabra Sanctuary here as well as the Dallas County Health Department giving out information on WIC,” she said. “This is something we want to have every year and we were going to have it on Dec. 1 because it is National HIV Day, but we decided to have it on Friday.”

Representatives of Vaughan Regional Medical Center will also be on hand to offer testing.

The purpose of the clinic, Woods said, is to help the Black Belt community prevent further illnesses and treat undiagnosed issues through early detection and screenings.

The first health fair, which was held in 2010, drew strong participation, Woods said.

“Last year was our first year doing the health fair and the turnout was wonderful,” she said. “We are trying to make this something we can do every year. Hopefully we will have even bigger attendance than last year.”

This service, Woods said, is crucial for everyone that is interested in learning more about establishing healthy habits and prevention of illnesses.

“It’s important for people to come out to take a better interest in their health,” she said. “They can get educated on the different health issues that affect the community from obesity to diabetes and HIV.”

The fair will be held all day  at 713 J.L. Chestnut Boulevard.

For more information, call 875-2450.