Initiating a Health Fair
The enabling council, such as a Church unit or a community council, should initiate the health fair by:
1. Determining the health needs of members.
⋅ Discuss among council members.
⋅ Survey leadership and/or members.
2. Prioritizing health issues which are most important and can be improved.
3. Identifying and calling a health fair chair and a planning committee.
4. Communicating audience, scope, and objectives of the health fair to the committee chair.
5. Protecting the confidentiality of individuals in all discussions and communications.
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The health fair chair and planning committee should clear all plans with the enabling council before proceeding.
- Develop a theme for the health fair.
- Determine 4–20 specific health topics that can be presented in 3–10 minutes each.
- Determine the location for the fair; for example:
- Cultural hall and classrooms
- At a park or other community center
- Identify the best and most interactive way to reach the audience; for example:
- Contact and utilize appropriate community agencies; for example:
- Health care professionals
- Hospitals and clinics
- Health care and social service agencies
- Agricultural extension service personnel
- Fire department
- Police department
- Red Cross or Red Crescent
- Determine kinds of screenings to perform at the fair; for example:
- Blood pressure
- Weight, height, body mass index, or percent body fat
- Determine kinds of interventions (if any) to provide at the fair; for example:
- Worm treatment*
- Follow-up appointments with professionals
- Determine if a community service opportunity will be provided; for example:
- Donating blood or plasma*
- Assembling hygiene kits
- Arrange for needed equipment and supplies.
- Protect the confidentiality of individual participants.
*These may require a qualified community partner.