A health fair series to support disease state awareness and health and wellness of the Japanese American, Japanese and Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities will be held in Bellevue on July 7.

The effort is the result of a new partnership of Nikkei Concerns and the Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

The inaugural event, “Living Well with Diabetes,” will be held in conjunction with the league’s national convention from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.

Nikkei Concerns is the second largest Japanese American heath care organization in the country providing primarily elder health services and is expanding its scope of programming to include health and wellness education and services for all ages throughout the Puget Sound area. JACL is the oldest API civil and human rights organization in the country and has made health care issues a top priority.

Japanese Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders are being impacted by diabetes at a prevalence rate higher than other racial/ethnic groups, the two groups say. The “Living Well with Diabetes” health fair, co-sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, will serve as an informal, fun but impactful forum for disease state education (vendor booths/tables and speakers), healthy living demonstrations (healthy meals preparation), interactive activities (light exercise), and more.

The July 7 event is free and open to the public. More information is available by contacting Elaine Akagi, 206-772-7192.