Celebrating 12 Years of Healthy Fair Fun

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN--(Marketwire - Aug 15, 2012) - Health Fair 11 at the Fair celebrates its twelfth year of providing free or low-cost health screenings and information to people attending the Minnesota State Fair. Each year, fairgoers flock to the Health Fair 11 building to take advantage of great health-related offerings for people of all ages. Since 2001, more than 553,000 health screenings have been documented at Health Fair 11 at the Fair.

When you Know Your Numbers you can gain insight into your overall health. This year, Health Fair 11 building visitors will find blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, bone density and body mass measurements, hearing and vision assessments, blood typing, and concussion recovery exercises. Fairgoers can step on the official weight scale, pick up information on food allergies and celiac disease, and have children tested for lead exposure. Also available are free teal-colored tote bags in which to carry health and wellness information materials and other state fair treasures.

New this year
Preventing diabetes
Diabetes is a growing threat for millions of people. The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities has developed a program to head off diabetes before it takes hold. Their program is so effective that the Y has been awarded a federal grant to share it with more people. Stop by their exhibit space in the Health Fair 11 building to find out if you are at risk and what you can do about it. While there, step over to the North Memorial exhibit space and have your blood sugar tested for just one dollar.

Health Insurance Exchange
The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress, signed by the President, and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court will affect many areas of the health care industry. Here in Minnesota, the Department of Commerce is creating the Health Insurance Exchange. What is it? How will it work? Experts will be available daily to answer fairgoers' questions.

Get a flu shot before school starts
Why wait to get a seasonal flu shot? The virus starts to spread once children return to the classroom. That means now is the perfect time to be immunized.

Flu shots will be available daily. Nurses with the nonprofit Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA) will vaccinate people ages three and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Both the injectable vaccine and nasal spray vaccine will be available. The MVNA encourages people to bring proof-of-insurance cards. 

Location, location, location
Health Fair 11 at the Fair is located in the Crossroads building at the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street. The building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit is made possible by Health Fair 11, a partnership of KARE 11, UCare, and North Memorial Medical Center.