The Indiana Health Fair is back as part of the Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, offering free health screenings, fitness activities, and vital resources for families across the state.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver says the goal is to break down barriers, especially for communities of color, by creating a welcoming space to talk about wellness.

“It’s way less intimidating than going to a doctor’s office,” Weaver said. “We have a lot of fun things there, there’s music, there’s people dancing. You can learn about your health and, at the same time, start those initial checkups.”

The health fair runs Thursday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. It’s open to all ages, with services ranging from blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings to diabetes testing and high school physicals.

“There’s actually $4,000 worth of free screenings there,” Weaver said. “They’re doing high school physicals for those kiddos who are getting ready to go back to school and they need their physical.”

Beyond the screenings, the fair offers one-on-one help with navigating insurance, obtaining vital records, and connecting to long-term care.

“If they are identified as having a need at the fair, then of course we’re going to help to get them connected,” Weaver said. “You can get your birth certificate if you need to get your birth certificate. There’s really a lot of different volunteers and sponsors that are there to meet people wherever they’re at.”

Friday night is Ladies’ Night, with a spotlight on women’s health and a healthy dose of fun.

“People can come and learn about specifically women’s health care needs,” Weaver said. “But at the same time, during Ladies’ Night, they’re doing Zumba dancing, right? So, we have a mix of fun, and at the same time, checking up on your health and educating you about your health.”

Weaver encourages anyone who might be hesitant to attend to bring a friend or family member.

“If you are somebody who knows, has a family member, a friend, a neighbor, who you know is hesitant, ask them to come with you,” she said. “It is always better to have someone with you, and you’re going to meet a lot of smiling faces.”

Weaver added, “It is way easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it. And, so we really want to focus on that prevention piece.”

The Indiana Health Fair is free to attend and continues through Sunday inside the Indiana Convention Center.

Dates and times

• Thursday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.

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