37th Annual Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair to offer nearly $4,000 in free health screenings

INDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is encouraging Hoosiers to take advantage of nearly $4,000 in free health screenings during the 37th Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair, being held July 13-16 at the Indiana Convention Center. The theme of this year’s health fair is Healthful Living, which emphasizes the event’s focus on prevention.

“For many Hoosiers, the annual Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair is a one-stop-shop for essential screenings and education that can be life-changing and even life-saving,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “As we work to reduce the disparities that impact communities of color across the state, it is important that we provide people the tools they need to improve their health. Free services like the health fair help meet that need.”

The health fair will be held in Halls J & K on the following schedule:

• July 13: Opening ceremony begins at 3 p.m. in rooms 130-132 with speakers including Dr. Weaver, Pastor David Greene Sr. of Purpose of Life Ministries and sponsors; the health fair runs from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Halls J & K.

• July 14, 1-7 p.m.

• July 15, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

• July 16, noon-6 p.m.

This year’s event will provide back-to-school immunizations for children ages 5 years and older, screenings and education for cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, HIV, hepatitis C, hearing and more. Clinical breast exams will be offered, along with vision and hearing screenings. Community Health Network will provide school sports physicals at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis from 1 to 6 p.m., Friday, July 14, and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 15, and

Sunday, July 16. Individuals

receiving vaccines are asked to bring proof of insurance if they have it. A complete schedule can be found at https://www.inbmhf.com/schedule.

In addition, birth and death certificates can be purchased on site. Birth certificates are available for $10, and death certificates cost $8.

Panel discussion topics include palliative care and end-of-life planning, youth cancer awareness, aging and family support, breastfeeding and maternal health, child language development, substance use recovery programs and mental health.

Antoniette Holt, director of the Office of Minority Health at IDOH, said the health fair would not be possible without the dedication of its sponsors, who donate time and resources each year to help improve the health of Hoosiers.

“Improving the health of Hoosiers, especially our vulnerable populations, requires a community effort, and our partners step up every year to make a difference in people’s lives,” Holt said. “I am incredibly grateful to our sponsors who continue to make the health fair a priority for their organizations.”

This year’s mainstage, platinum and gold health fair sponsors are Eli Lilly and Co., Community Health Network, Johnson & Johnson, Indiana University Health, Eskenazi Health, the Marion County Public Health Department, Mdwise and WISH-TV.

Free transportation will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Sunday, July 16, from the Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, on the following schedule:

Depart Global Village at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 16. Return from Indiana Convention Center at approximately 3:15 and 5 p.m.