Chinatown Street Fair button, 1973

This pin promoted the Chinatown (New York) Health Fair of 1973. The first Chinatown street health fair was held in 1971 by Asian American activists concerned that Chinatown residents lacked access to adequate health care. The activists, many of whom were college students and inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, held the fair to survey community medical needs and to provide health services. Out of these initials efforts, the activists created a health clinic that, in time, evolved into a federally-qualified community health center with multiple locations serving Asian Americans and others in New York City. The Chinatown street health fair has been held annually since 1971.

Dr. Joseph Lau, one of the donors of the pin, volunteered at the 1971 street fair and he subsequently built a centrifuge for blood testing for the clinic when it could not afford to purchase one.