Successful health fairs require a tremendous amount of planning beginning at least six to twelve months
before the target date.
The first task
is to identify a goal for your health fair. Consider consulting with school personnel such as
administrators, nurses, and Family Resource Centers, to help you identify a goal that meets the needs of the
community. Typical goals can include:
o Increase health awareness by providing health screenings, activities, materials, demonstrations, and
information
o Increase awareness of local, state, and national health services and resources
o Motivate participants to make positive behavior changes
o Provide immunizations for children and adults.
You may want to create and collect a survey designed for your target audience to identify their needs and
desires.
The second task
is to identify a chair and co-chair who will lead a health fair committee.
The third task
is to form a health fair committee. Organize a planning committee of six to eight people.
Committee members can include health professionals, dentists, nurse practitioners, health agencies, parents,
hospitals, school professionals, mental health professionals, media specialists, PTA, etc. Remember to contact
your School Health Advisory Council or SHAC to let its members know that you are planning a health fair and
see if they would like to assist you.
A broad-based committee will provide wide-spread support and potentially better attendance and ideas that
will better meet the unique needs of the people in the community.
Plan 6 – 12 months in advance of event.
Identify a goal.
Identify a chair and co-chair for a health fair committee.
4
Form a health fair committee.