Organization and evaluation of health fairs

In summary, the success of a health fair as a source of health education and promoter of healthful behaviors depends to a great extent upon the organizational expertise of the sponsor and cooperating forces. However, even more essential is the stimulation of health fair visitors' interest and participation, the provision of information and health status feedback and the reinforcement of positive health values. The health fair which best achieves these objectives will have a greater likelihood of also attaining its original preventive health goals and objectives. Although evaluation articles tend to stress the positive findings, this review does not imply that every health fair is a success or that every successful health fair is without criticism. Long waiting lines, unexpected equipment malfunctions, inadequate hours for visiting, understaffed activities, limited floor space and/or visual distractions and noise disturbances may still occur despite the most thorough organizational efforts. This review has attempted to synthesize from the existing sources on health fairs those essential organizational and evaluative factors necessary for a health fair to maximize its potential health education impact.