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What is a Health Fair?

Lily Ruha
Lily Ruha

A health fair is an event that increases the public’s knowledge of health services. Some health fairs distribute health materials, offer health screenings, and deliver presentations on effective health practices. Health fairs are attended by people of all ages, either individually or as part of groups organized by schools, businesses, or health care providers. A health fair may be organized by a public or private health organization. The health services and information are generally provided by qualified doctors, nurses, health educators, emergency technicians, and other health practitioners.

The purpose of a health fair is to educate the members of a community on health services and health issues. Education is generally provided at health fairs in the form of live presentations, demonstrations of health procedures, and through distribution of reading materials. A health fair attendee might hear a presentation on how to eat a well-balanced diet. He might have the opportunity to get his blood pressure checked, and also receive important information about how to treat his high blood pressure, along with important phone numbers for follow-up medical services.

Cholesterol level testing is often offered at a health fair.
Cholesterol level testing is often offered at a health fair.

Health fairs may focus on a specific theme, or deliver information on a wide range of health issues and illness prevention. An event organized by a fitness club might focus primarily on demonstrating fitness exercises and distributing information on nutrition and diet plans. Other events, such as one organized by a health clinic, might cover a wide range of health topics and services including cholesterol testing, blood pressure screening, and diabetes education. A hospital health fair might demonstrate procedures for handling injuries and breathing emergencies.

Health screenings can help assess individuals who are unaware that they have dangerously high blood pressure.
Health screenings can help assess individuals who are unaware that they have dangerously high blood pressure.

Some health fairs target populations that do not usually visit the doctor either due to inadequate funds or limited access. These events might focus on immunizing children and adults, offering flu shots, or monitoring cholesterol levels. Mammograms, hearing screenings, and blood sugar level tests might also be part of such services. In many cases, these types of health fairs ask participants to fill out questionnaires to assess the likelihood that they will take advantage of free services in the future.

Blood sugar level tests may be conducted at a health fair.
Blood sugar level tests may be conducted at a health fair.

The success of a health fair is often determined by the motivation it has instilled in participants to take charge of their health. An event has been successful if participants have received critical information that will prevent future illness or remedy an existing health problem. Information about upcoming health fairs can be obtained from medical clinics, local newspapers, or through places of employment.

Discussion Comments

croydon

@umbra21 - Most of the health fair themes that I've come across seem to have been holistic or based around homeopathy, so I have always viewed them with some skepticism. It's difficult to take someone seriously when they are set up next to a person claiming they can heal with crystals or take a picture of your aura.

I'm not against people who want to do that, I just don't know if it should be marketed as a health fair, even though it usually seems to be.

umbra21

@browncoat - Health fair vendors tend to be pretty bad about that actually. The last one I went to seemed to mostly be filled up with cosmetic surgery vendors rather than people distributing necessary services. But I suspect that was because of the neighborhood that they were targeting.

I think it's also important for people to know what they want before they go into a fair like this. Don't get talked into anything you don't need. People are very vulnerable about their appearance and their health and it can be difficult to have someone who is supposedly an expert tell you that you need a procedure done (and they can offer 20% off!). But don't do anything without getting a real second opinion. And definitely don't sign anything that you aren't completely happy about.

browncoat

I try to go to any kind of fair that happens to be in town, just because there are always free samples and consultations available and sometimes you can get discounts on services that you might not be able to get elsewhere.

I've managed to get quite good discounts for the dentist at a health fair, for example. I always try to be firm and as friendly as possible, so that people will go the extra mile for me, but won't be too pushy.

The only problem is that you have to be able to say no, as a lot of the people there are looking to sell you something and they might be very good at selling it to you.

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    • Cholesterol level testing is often offered at a health fair.
      By: rob3000
      Cholesterol level testing is often offered at a health fair.
    • Health screenings can help assess individuals who are unaware that they have dangerously high blood pressure.
      By: dambuster
      Health screenings can help assess individuals who are unaware that they have dangerously high blood pressure.
    • Blood sugar level tests may be conducted at a health fair.
      By: zothen
      Blood sugar level tests may be conducted at a health fair.
    • A chiropractor may offer basic adjustments to patients while at a health fair.
      By: jedi-master
      A chiropractor may offer basic adjustments to patients while at a health fair.
    • Blood pressure screenings may take place at health fairs.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Blood pressure screenings may take place at health fairs.
    • Some health fairs may feature alternative treatments such as acupuncturists as well as traditional medical practitioners.
      By: nextrecord
      Some health fairs may feature alternative treatments such as acupuncturists as well as traditional medical practitioners.
    • Free immunizations might be offered during a health fair.
      By: Monkey Business
      Free immunizations might be offered during a health fair.
    • Tips for maintaining a healthy weight might be available at a health fair.
      By: Elenathewise
      Tips for maintaining a healthy weight might be available at a health fair.