Presented by: Britnie O’Donnell

The Missing Puzzle Piece: Interconnecting Community and

Corporate Wellness.

A Discussion on the Fundamentals of Planning a Health Fair

Why Plan a Health Fair?

• Educate the Community• According to Pinellas County Health Department (2012), the

leading cause of deaths in 2011 were cancer and heart disease.

• Promote Wellness• Teach self care practices. Ex: breast self exam, nail bed

examination (dark lines sign of skin caner), underarms (patches of rough skin indicate diabetes), etc.

• Community Benefit• Prevention of disease• Reach out to individuals about their health• Improve quality of life

(Healthy People, 2012).

When, What, and Where?• When is the Health Fair?

• Plan at least 4 - 6 months in advance• Check with community planners/events

• What is the Health Fair About?• Theme • Decide what topics to cover, what speakers/vendors to

incorporate, and what community to appeal to.

• Where is the Health Fair Located?• How many people will attend• Location of health fair (Dillon & Sternas, 1997)

Assign Committees

• 6 to 8 Committee Members

•Provide leadership and coordination for subcommittees

• Include Members of the Targeted Audience

•Various health professionals; fitness professionals, certified screening specialists, nutrition specialists, etc.

(Wellness Proposals, 2006).

Financial Aspects of Health Fairs•What are the Expenses?

•Location cost, food and drink, entertainment, etc.

•Assign responsibilities among committee members

•How Many Vendors for Each Subcommittee?

•How many people will attend?

•Sponsorship and/or Donations.

Quality Vendors to Invite

• Accountable for Performance

• Good reputation among organizations.

• Customer Service

• Maintains quality customer service in order to meet consumer needs.

• Compliant with Health Fair Specifications

• Understands the mission and goals associated with the health fair.

(WFI, 2010.)

•Representing and supporting organization

•Viewed as an extension to the organization.

•Performing to Expectations

•Vendor scorecards conducted for future reference and evaluation.

Contacting Vendors

• Contact Organization• By phone, e-mail, or letter.

• Speak or Leave Message with Marketing Manager• Introduce yourself, organization, and

reason for calling in e-mail or voicemail.

• Follow-up• Phone and e-mail within 3-5 days.

• Assign a Response Date• Inform organization a response is needed

by a certain date. At least 6-8 weeks prior to event.

Advertise the Health Fair

• Word of Mouth

• Announce health fair at meetings, with neighbors, encourage friends to participate.

• Flyers

• Advertise incentives to participate in health fair on flyers.

• Promote vendors and organizations that will participate in raffles.

•Social Media

•Facebook, Twitter, webpage, Linkedin, e-mail blasts, etc.

•Cost effective ways to promote health fair.

•Ask Vendors to promote health fair

•Flyers on community board or in meeting rooms.

Floor Layout for Health Fair• Gather Information

• Information on room layout, how many vendors, and how many people are attending.

• Materials Needed

• What do the vendors need? Table, outlet, display screen, et

• Include a Program and/or Timelines

• Including a program and timelines will ensure that the health fair runs smoothly

• Speakers and/or Presentations

• Speaker is within allotted times slot.

• Make the stage the focus of the room.

Interactive Health Fairs

• Include Educational Games

• Games that teach will encourage participation

• Demonstrations

• How to correctly apply sun block, prepare meals, correct posture for fitness.

• Screenings

• Blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI (Body Mass Index), body fat percentage

Community Health is Our Health. Working together we will see a

healthier and stronger community.

References

Dillon, D. L., & Sternas, K. (1997). Designing a successful health fair to promote individual, family, and community health. Journal Of Community Health Nursing, 14(1), 1.

Dower, C., Knox, M., Lindler, V., O’Neil, E. (2006). Advancing community health worker practice and utilization: The focus on financing. Retrieved from http:/futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Content/29/2006-12_Advancing_Community_Health_Worker_Practice_and_Utilization_The_Focus_on_Financing.pdf

Greenfield, P. (2012). Health check self exam. Women’s Health. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/daily-self-exams?cat=10409

Healthy People. (2012). Educational and community based programs. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=11

Pinellas County Health Department. (2012). Pinellas County community health assessment 2012. Retrieved from http://www.pinellashealth.com/pdf/Executive_Summary-%202012_Pinellas_County_Community_Health_Assessment.pdf

Unite for Site. (2000). Challenges and failures of health fairs and community screenings. Retrieved from http://www.uniteforsight.org/health-screenings/health-screenings

Wellness Proposals. (2006). Health fair – wellness fair: Objectives and planning. Retrieved from http://wellnessproposals.com/health-fair-wellness-fair-planning-guide/objectives-and-planning/

WFI. (2010). Vendor Quality. Retrieved from http://www.wfinet.com/wfi12/quality-assurance/vendor-quality/