Many Alabamians face grave uncertainty when it comes to health care. That’s especially true in DeKalb County, where more than 9,000 adults are uninsured, according to U.S. Census data. Alabama Arise’s Cover Alabama coalition will host a health fair and health care panel in Fort Payne this weekend to help provide residents in northeast Alabama with access to health services and information.

Cover Alabama will host a health fair at the VFW Post Hall in Fort Payne on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include a special presentation and panel discussion on health care access during lunch at 11 a.m. Media members are welcome and invited to the entire event.

Health care providers, advocacy organizations and other community groups will be at the event to provide health services and information, including blood pressure screenings, HIV testing, flu shots and more. The health fair also will feature a lunchtime health care presentation and panel discussion featuring representatives from Alabama Arise, CED Mental Health Center, the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA).

Cover Alabama plans to host more health fairs across the state in the future. And the coalition will continue advocating for Medicaid expansion to ensure every Alabamian, including more than 220,000 people in the state’s health coverage gap, can afford the health care they need.