Health and Wellness Leads : Worksite Health Promotion Program Ideas: Health Fairs

A health fair is a fantastic way to familiarize workers with health concerns and related wellness programs. During a health fair workers might be able to get resource materials; participate in offered wellness screenings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.); observe demonstrations on the use of exercise equipment; catch mini-sessions on various health issues; get free promotional items from local businesses; try healthy foods; and obtain information about their health benefit plan.

Some businesses hold a “health & benefit fair” which includes vendors representing the various employee benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to staff members through their corporation.

Considerations when coordinating a wellness fair:

• Setting up a thriving health & wellness fair takes extensive time. Time issues must be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. The most time consuming part is generally contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and setting up the day of the event.
• Sufficient space, tables and chairs must be on hand to allow for the number of vendors involved. Some vendors may have portable displays or materials that will require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that must be discussed prior to the health & wellness fair.
• Vendors will be trying to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their responsibility to future wellbeing and health fairs requires that every effort be made to promote participation by publicizing the event, selecting the proper venue, and offering rewards and incentives.
• If possible, locate the health and wellness fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.
• Ask vendors to supply free materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Adhere to all employer policies when seeking donations.
• As an idea to improve employee participation and to keep interest high, each attendee might be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each vendor. The signed passport serves as the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings must take place every 15 or 30 minutes.
• Consider teaming up with neighboring employers to host a wellness fair. A group effort will distribute the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair:

Invite representatives from each of your employee benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be prepared to answer employee questions concerning their program. Representatives could include:

• Retirement plan representative.
• Long-term disability plan representative.
• Health plan representative.
• Health Benefits representative.
• Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).
• Local savings and loan or credit union representative.
• Workers’ compensation representative.

Limited Space for a Health Fair: If space is limited conduct the fair at lunchtime time. Place stations in employer hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms located throughout the building. Give a map with all the stations listed. Have a free drawing awarding a prize for anyone who goes to 75 percent of the stations. Use a punch card or similar method to verify.

Resources for health & benefit fairs coordination:

Assume a broad definition of “health” and reflect that by involving a wide array of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health; for example, health agencies, safety companies, benefits providers, local health care facilities, recreational facilities, parks, monetary planners, childcare referrals, EAP, health clubs, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.