A health fair is a way for area businesses to give back to the community. These events encourage residents to take charge of their health with free services such as blood pressure readings, massage therapy, supplement giveaways, skin cancer screenings, fitness demonstrations, and nutritional counseling. If health fair screenings and related services sound ideal for your next community event, streamline the planning process with these tips.

What Should You Consider When Planning A Health Fair?

Logistics

Let your health fair goals determine the date, time, and location, such as a fall event emphasizing flu prevention or a springtime fair about warm-weather fitness. Set the date at least six months before the event so that you have time to find a venue and sponsors. If yours is a spring or summer health fair, research local parks and nature centers. Cold-weather health expos typically happen in convention centers and similar locations; however, creative alternatives include historical buildings, such as old firehouses, so long as they are safe.

Tests & Other Free Services

Contact sponsors after choosing the health fair screenings you want. For example, set up a free smoothie station for a late summer festival or provide flu shots for a fall event. Mix demonstrations with interactive options to help attendees engage, such as a short show about recreational safety followed by a fitness game for kids. Also, offer plenty of giveaways, such as health food samples, stainless steel water bottles, and anxiety management tools like stress balls.

Select fun and informative activities, services, and exhibits that emphasize the rewards of taking charge of personal health. Designate event subcommittees to help you find vendors and sponsors. They should also help market your event with email and social media campaigns, flyers and posters, and free information in neighborhood shops and restaurants.

Follow-Up

Discuss health fair screening follow-up options with your fellow planners, such as contacting everyone who registered their email address. Most people prefer emails over phone calls because they feel less intrusive. Follow-ups motivate attendees to take care of their health; for example, they may go to those free yoga classes they signed up for or schedule annual physicals after receiving doctor’s office e-newsletters. Make it clear that follow-ups are not alternatives to health care—they are meant to inspire attendees to be more proactive about their overall wellness.

Rely on EMSI – BiState Professional Services for health fair screening services throughout Chesterfield, MO, and the surrounding areas. The AABB-accredited laboratory offers screenings that check for diabetes, high cholesterol, and prostate problems, all of which are performed by professional, highly trained technicians. Call (636) 537-3200 today to start planning your health fair, or visit the company online for screening information. Learn more about their testing services on Facebook.