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.

For more information, click here.

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Learn several common health myths, and what science truly says about them: from the belief that 10,000 steps a day is necessary for health benefits to the misconception that only women can get breast cancer.

The data suggests that any movement, any getting up and moving around is gonna reduce risk in the long-term, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study found that taking just 2,200 steps a day is associated with lower mortality and heart disease risk.

Only women get breast cancer? Nope. Men can also be affected. A study from Vanderbilt University indicates that men are 19% more likely to die from breast cancer than women, partly due to later diagnoses.

What about the belief that a glass of red wine a day is good for your heart?

That sunscreen is only necessary when it’s sunny?

That vaccines cause autism?

Listen to learn more.

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Adults need a good seven to nine hours of sleep at night. But the National Sleep Foundation says one-third of people don’t get that and feel sleepy at least half the week. And things you do or don’t do during the day can have a big impact on sleep quality.

Fighting fatigue day after day is a struggle for many people. The main cause is usually poor sleep.

The number one suggestion is to maintain a routine and a schedule.

Eating meals at different times each day or too late at night can affect sleep. So can going to bed and waking up at inconsistent times.

A lack of daily physical activity causes low energy and increases daytime drowsiness. And don’t forget vitamin D. Not getting enough sunshine and natural light throughout the day can impact circadian rhythms. Other bad habits to avoid include drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed, using electronics when it’s time to sleep, and not drinking enough water. And that is true for all of us.

According to Cleveland Clinic, frequent fatigue could also be caused by an underlying medical condition or sleep disorder. This could include sleep apnea, certain cancers, heart disease, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal changes.

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In the next two decades, up to 60 million people will get atrial fibrillation or A-fib. It doesn’t always show symptoms but people with it have a five-times increased risk of a stroke.

A new treatment that could change the future for millions who are diagnosed with A-fib.

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The use of smartwatches in detecting congestive heart failure could revolutionize early diagnosis and treatment, offering a promising tool for patients and health care providers alike.

Congestive heart failure affects 26 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of death globally, often striking with warning signs that go unnoticed.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure include chest pain, shortness of breath, weight gain, and a persistent cough or wheezing. Despite these indicators, many people fail to recognize them until the condition becomes severe.

Current detection methods for congestive heart failure include blood tests, X-rays, stress tests, CT scans, and ECGs.

A study by the Heart Rhythm Society suggests that smartwatches could offer a new method of detection. The study found that by using ECG information, researchers achieved a 90% success rate in identifying congestive heart failure, potentially allowing for earlier intervention.

While smartwatches have already been proven to detect atrial fibrillation, a medical professional should interpret the information that the devices capture.

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Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death, but what if you could defeat it before it ever has a chance?

About one in every 24 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. And most of the time, your genes are not to blame. So what can you do to lower your risk? First, eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains.

New research suggests you may also want to up your calcium intake. Researchers found adding 300 milligrams of calcium each day — which is about the amount in a glass of milk — was associated with a 17% lower risk for colorectal cancer.

Get regular screenings. Most major organizations suggest you should start at age 45, but not everyone does. Colonoscopies not only look for cancer, they also can help doctors remove precancerous polyps, preventing future cancer.

Stop smoking and don’t drink in excess. Scientists reported that drinking an additional 20 grams of alcohol daily was linked to a 15% higher risk for colorectal cancer. That’s about the amount in a large glass of wine.

It’s never too soon start.

The number of people who have died from colorectal cancer has steadily decreased since the mid 1980s.

Experts say this is due to more screening and changing lifestyles.

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May is Women’s Health Month and it’s a great time for women, especially those over 35, to take a closer look at their nutrition.

Megan Allen, a registered dietitian with Community Health Network and a friend of Daybreak, broke down all her health tips and gave you a jumpstart on better eating habits.

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Almost half a million children face a life-threatening illness in the United States each year. For many, it means missing out on school, hanging out with friends and just doing the things kids do. We want to introduce you to a young woman who beat the odds and found a way to be a shining star, even when just eating put her life at risk.

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