Here’s how to put on your own health fair

Published 3:22 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2012

When Cheri Russum and Shannon Lesley of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett’s public relations department were asked to put on a health fair, they weren’t quite sure what they were getting into.

Or how popular the event would be.

The two lined up presentations and interactive demonstrations including the Original Organ Show, included booths from health-care partners in the region, invited the Everett Silvertips to promote free mammogram screenings (bringing in more than $78,000), and marketed the event online and through newsletters and the media.

The duo struck success and now plan two health fairs a year, both to be held at the hospital’s Cymbaluk Medical Tower.

Russum and Lesley had an advantage in planning their event, since medical experts fill their building. But with careful planning and creative insights, your business or organization can develop a well-rounded, well-attended health fair.

Fair considerations

Are you looking to promote healthful living among your employees? Do you want to provide community service in your neighborhood? Would you like to raise awareness about your group or business or partners? Are you part of a community group that promotes family wellness? All are valid reasons to develop a health fair.

Base your fair’s location on your audience goal. A health fair for employees can be held on site. An event that depends on community attendance will need a larger venue, such as a school gym or neighborhood park.

Offer benefits

Promotional materials are one thing. Hands-on demonstrations are another. The opportunity to perform the Heimlich maneuver or CPR on a training dummy is much more effective than reading a brochure. Add variety with panel discussions, contests, cook-offs, food samples and discussions with your company’s insurance providers.

Provide a wellness check

Echocardiograms, diabetic foot screenings, weight measurements and waist-to-hip ratios, cholesterol and blood-sugar testing — all can be a part of your health fair.

U.S. HealthWorks checked blood pressure at events held by Franz Bakery, the Everett Herald and C&D Zodiac. The Everett medical group provided documentation on blood pressure cards, giveaways, information about its urgent care and occupational medical health care, and $10 coupons for urgent care. U.S. HealthWorks schedules health fair appearances one to two months in advance. Call 425-259-0300 for details.

Consider who you know

Are you acquainted with a chiropractor, physical or massage therapist, dentist or pharmacist? Is a professional in the medical field part of your Chamber of Commerce or Kiwanis group? A health fair is an opportunity to provide valuable information to event guests and an opportunity for an individual or a business to promote its goods and services.

Let the professional know if you’ll list the names of participating businesses in the marketing materials. Print and online visibility to the community may be part of the deciding factor.

Don’t feel frustrated if the individual can’t participate. Calendars fill quickly and not everyone can provide information beyond a workday environment.

Community resources

Several community groups reserve funding for outreach programs such as health fairs and workshops. In recent years, the Tulalip Tribes have spent more than $300,000 a year on smoking cessation programs for the community.

Nadine Carter, the certified tobacco treatment specialist for the Tulalip Health Clinic, regularly presents tobacco cessation education at health fairs. She offers brochures, pens, keychains and stress balls promoting a smoke-free environment.

Carter can meet with a group or with individuals through a multi-week, quit-smoking program. For details, e-mail ncarter@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

Invite specialty groups

Weight-loss and nutrition groups, exercise facilities, yoga instructors, aromatherapists and reflexologists are potential resources to invite to your fair.

Support groups are integral to the community. With messages and fellowship for those with sleep or eating disorders, or dealing with grief, suicide, infertility, Alzheimer’s or fibromyalgia, support groups provide a direct link to the general public with discussion, assistance and acceptance.

Shared products

After participating in health fairs in the community, the Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op in Everett decided to hold its own. Outreach coordinator Vanessa Edwards invited the store’s vendors to set up tables and share samples.

“It was crazy!” she said. “We were so busy, but we had such great feedback from our customers and our staff.”

The store gained recognition in the community, shoppers tried new products and vendors sold wares. The health fair was a win-win-win situation.

The co-op is planning another health fair and will participate in others. Edwards asks for a minimum of three weeks notice with requests made by e-mail to vanessa@snoislefoods.coop.

You’re never too young

Retirement planning, estate planning, senior community services — all are part of your future. Invite participation from AARP, retirement planners, local senior centers, Snohomish County Senior Services and the like. Also invite elder care advisers and retirement community representatives to share information about resources, housing, volunteer opportunities and long-term care.

Timing for your fair

A health fair generally takes six to 12 months to plan. A number of websites provide health fair insights, committee duties, checklists, resources, marketing ideas and general planning details. Recommended sites include www.cdc.gov/women/planning/fair.htm, www.health-fairs.org and www.wellnessproposals.com.

Not ready to host your own health fair? Provide your associates and employees with details about health fairs held in your region. Encourage family or group attendance. Also encourage group discussion after the event and implement ways your organization can make a stand for healthier living.