Hypertension is the leading cause of heart disease and it affects the lives of millions of people throughout the world. Hypertension is often called a silent killer because millions do not know they are suffering from the condition or lack access to proper screening. Health fairs are a great way to raise awareness and to screen at-risk populations. The following ideas will help your organization manage a productive hypertension health fair.
Organize
Before throwing your hypertension health fair, it is important to surround yourself with a team of professionals that share your vision of making the health fair a success. Choose a venue located near your target population. School gyms, public parks, college campuses, churches and parking lots near retailers are great choices because they provide adequate space for your needs and captive audiences.
Information Booths
All health fairs should have information booths set up to greet attendees as they enter. Make sure the booths are stocked with pamphlets and information on hypertension. There should also be a few greeters on hand to welcome attendees, provide a brief overview on the effects of hypertension and explain what the hypertension health fair will offer.
Blood Pressure Screening
All hypertension health fairs must provide blood pressure screenings. Organize an area that has an adequate amount of health care professionals on hand to conduct the screenings. Have volunteers distribute survey and contact information so attendees can present them to the health care professional at the time of their screening.
Workshops
Provide at least three speakers to present during the event. Health care professionals including doctors, nurses, practitioners and nutritionists can provide an extensive background on hypertension, heart disease and healthier lifestyles. Licensed personal trainers should also be included to provide fitness tips, weight loss strategies and physical demonstrations. Video booths and interactive displays with information on hypertension treatment and prevention are also highly recommended.
Gift Bags
Work with a variety of sponsors to provide gift bags. Gift bags are important because they give attendees a way to organize the information they acquire and they provide reward incentives. Gift bags should be preloaded with pamphlets and brochures that contain everything from dieting information to hypertension and heart disease literature. Additionally, gift bags should contain a few general promotions including discounts to health food restaurants and free one-week memberships to a local health club.
Door Prizes
Giveaways are also important incentives at health fairs. There should be at least one grand prize that all attendees have a chance to win. All attendees should be given a raffle ticket when they enter the fair and the drawing can be held roughly halfway through the festivities.
Helpful Tips
Get the word out about the hypertension health fair by advertising in local newspapers, the internet and radio.
Contact sponsorship partners to offset the cost of your health fair and for promotional coupons to distribute to attendees.
Tags: health fair, heart disease, hypertension health, hypertension health fair, information hypertension
