Comments on: A twist on the old health fair

By: Fran Sweat

Fran Sweat — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:57:24 +0000

Offering door prizes and drawing at each vendor table have proven a positive for many. Local hospitals will send representatives (Dr. and nurses) to give out information on wellness, take BP, do cholesterol checks, etc. The local YMCA and gyms will come in and give demonstrations for spinning classes, Yoga, and many times offer company discounts for memberships. Using medical vendors that are health plan participants has it’s advantage, in that the company insurance program will cover the tests being done. If the vendors can bring a stand alone bus or the company has a clinic or auditorium available for on-site blood draws. The employee does not have to go off-site for an appointment. These can be done several weeks ahead of the health fair and the employees pick up their tests results on the fair day. Having local physicians and RN’s available to read results of previously completed medical tests while employees attend the health fair, encourages participation.

By: Sharon Vrettas, H-R Director

Sharon Vrettas, H-R Director — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:25:27 +0000

Glad to see the inclusion of complimentary medicine. How about reiki, yoga and meditation? Our company is too small to sponsor a health fair, but we have some ongoing programs that have been very successful. I give free reiki treatments to our employees, and they love it. We have also had morning meditation and brought in a yoga instructor for classes after work. Featuring these types of modalities at a health fair would be great way to introduce employees to a new approach to wellness.

By: PharmacistMike

PharmacistMike — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:17:24 +0000

Another twist on the traditional health fair could be to team with an on-line health screening company. You can simply notify the employees of the relationship and offer them the at home health screenings as a value-added benefit. You can even hold events, at the employees expense for participation, and then give a small reward. For example, the employees can purchase two cholesterol tests and then whom ever drops their cholesterol by the largest percentage over a 3 month period can win reimbursement for the kit costs and perhaps a lunch of their choice.

By: Jacinta

Jacinta — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:58:43 +0000

Adding incentives is a really great idea and encourages people to attend your fair. We had a customer who gave each attendee a pedometer at the beginning of the event and had them log how much they walked during the fair. It was a great idea!