Health Promotion Strategies

A health fair is an opportune way to familiarize employees with health issues and related wellness programs.  During a health fair employees might  be able to –

• obtain resource materials;
• participate in offered medical screenings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.);
• observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment;
• attend mini-seminars on various health topics;
• get free promotional items from local businesses;
• sample healthy foods; and
• obtain information about their health benefit plan.

Some companys feature a “health and benefit fair” which includes providers representing the various staff member benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to workers through their company.

Considerations when coordinating a wellness fair –

• Establishing up a successful wellness fair takes extensive time. Time issues ought to be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. the most time eating 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 available to allow for the number of providers invited. Some providers might have portable displays or materials that’ll require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that must be discussed prior to the health fair.

• Providers will be hoping to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their commitment to future wellness fairs requires that every effort be made to promote participation by publicizing the event, choosing  the proper venue, and offering incentives.

• If possible, locate the health fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.

• Ask providers to supply free materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Follow all corporation policies when soliciting donations.

• as an idea to raise employee participation and to keep interest high, each attendee may be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each provider. the signed passport becomes the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings should take place every 15 or 30 minutes.

• Consider teaming up with neighboring businesss to stage a health fair. A team effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair –

Invite representatives from each of your worker benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be prepared to answer worker questions regarding their program. Representatives could include –

• Retirement plan representative.

• Long-term disability plan representative.

• Health plan representative.

• Healthful 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 during lunch time. Place stations in company hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms scattered throughout the building.

Give a map with all the stations listed. Hold a free drawing awarding a prize for whoever who goes to 75 percent of the stations. Use a punch card or similar method to verify.

Resources for health and benefit fairs coordination –

Assume a wide definition of “health” and reflect that by including a variety of providers and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health.

For example, health agencies, safety businesses, benefits providers, local healthcare facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, gyms, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.