For most of us, medication is a staple in our daily lives. Whether you’re taking Ibuprofen for a headache, Zyrtec for allergies, or picking up a prescription at the pharmacy to treat a more chronic condition, you are ultimately benefiting from the clinical research that made these treatments possible.

Clinical research plays an important role in the development of new treatments and the advancement of medicine, yet its role is not widely understood. That’s why CISCRP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to informing and sharing resources with the public, created our free health and wellness program, Journey to Better Health | AWARE for All.

Traveling to communities across the country, the Journey to Better Health Program’s next stop is Houston, where CISCRP will be hosting a free community health event on November 17^th. This event will be held from 5-8PM at Houston Community College – West Loop Conference Center.

Here’s why Houston residents should attend this upcoming health event:

1. Meet with 20+ local exhibiting organizations.
If you’re looking for specific resources for yourself or a loved one relating to a medical condition, our exhibit hall presents the perfect opportunity to make local connections and access free resources. Our exhibitors include a variety of organizations, including Allergy & Asthma Network, Hypothesis Haven, American Lung Association, ECHOS, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and many more.

2. Receive free health screenings - no insurance needed.
In addition to the resources offered by our exhibiting organizations, this event offers opportunities to receive free onsite health screenings. Stop by Prevent Blindness Texas’s table to learn more about their services and take their free on-site vision screening. A variety of other health screenings will be offered as well, including flu shots provided by Walgreens, and blood pressure screenings provided by the Houston Community College LVN Program.

3. Hear what to expect when joining a clinical trial and how they are conducted.
If you’ve never been in a clinical trial, you may not know how the process works, what to expect, or even how to find a study you’d like to be a part of. Listen to an overview presentation that shares the basics of the clinical trial process, how they have been made safe for patients, the importance of diverse representation in clinical research, and how to decide if participating is right for you.

4. Listen to Houston natives share their experiences participating in clinical trials.
Without study volunteers and the healthcare professionals who oversee these studies, clinical research would not be possible. Hear from local community members who share their experiences participating in a trial in a panel discussion. Our panelists will share why participation is important to them, ways clinical research can be made more inclusive, and will take time to answer any questions attendees have.

5. Education is power.
When it comes to our health, the more knowledge we have about our options, the better choices we can make for ourselves or loved ones. Attending Journey to Better Health |AWARE for All – Houston will provide attendees with vital informational knowledge about the health & wellness resources available to them, including clinical research participation. 

To register for this free event, visit our website