Drug Education and Intervention in the Workplace

A health and wellness fair is a great way to familiarize staff members with health issues and related wellness programs. During a health and wellness fair staff members might be able to get resource materials; take part in provided health screenings (vision, hearing, blood, blood lipids, cancer, dental, etc.); observe demonstrations on the use of exercise equipment; go to mini-sessions on various health issues; get no cost promotional items from local organizations; try healthy foods; and pick up information about their health benefit plan.

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

Considerations when coordinating a health fair:

• Setting up a thriving wellness fair takes extensive time. Time issues should 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 hoping to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their responsibility to future health fairs requires that every effort be made to promote participation by publicizing the event, selecting the proper venue, and offering incentives.
• If possible, locate the health & wellness fair in a location with heavy foot traffic.
• Ask vendors to bring no cost materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Adhere to all organization policies when soliciting donations.
• As an idea to boost employee participation and to maintain high interest levels, each attendee could 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 nearby companies to host a health 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 regarding 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 hold the fair at lunchtime time. Place stations in corporation 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 including a variety of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, economic and social health; for example, health agencies, safety corporations, benefits providers, local medical facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, health clubs, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.