New Mexico State University’s Department of Public Health Sciences will host a community resource fair for individuals 55 years old and older from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 2 at Trails West Senior Community in Las Cruces.
The fair will broadly focus on health for senior citizens and feature more than 20 organizations offering information about services and resources available to this growing population, said Becky Pearson, head of the Department of Public Health Sciences in the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation. According to 2025 U.S. Census data, about 16% of the overall population in Las Cruces is 65 years old or older.
“We’re talking about hospitals, caregiving organizations, and we’re talking about hospice, even when we all don't want to talk about hospice,” Pearson said. “We’re also talking about things like finances, and we’ll have a local bank coming to talk about trusts and things like that. We will also have Medicare and Medicaid representatives who can help get people signed up for those things.”
NMSU’s Department of Communications Disorders will also provide free hearing screenings. The fair is free and open to all individuals 55 years old and older. Attendees do not need to be a resident of Trails West Senior Community, 1450 Avenida de Mesilla. No registration is required.
“In HEST, we believe that the work of addressing health disparities and improving well-being outcomes begins with meaningful engagement in the communities we serve,” College of HEST Dean Rick Marlatt said. “This resource fair reflects our commitment to connecting individuals and families with the resources, services and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. I’m very proud of the Department of Public Health Sciences for bringing together community partners in ways that strengthen our region and advance NMSU’s land-grant mission.”
Pearson, who joined NMSU in 2023, said the event is part of new and continuing efforts in the department to take public health to communities outside NMSU and help the university fulfill its land-grand mission in public service. Pearson also hopes the upcoming fair and future community engagements organized by the department help enhance relationships with Las Cruces and the surrounding areas.
“My background is in community and community capacity, and I am increasingly all about aging and inclusive aging,” Pearson said. “We hope to get some good turnout at our fair, so that people can learn about what's out here in the Las Cruces community to support healthy aging and healthy connectedness as we age.”
For more information, contact Pearson at 575-646-8194 or bpearson@nmsu.edu.
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