Often times, small business owners and employees put all that they have into keeping their business running and find themselves uninsured or underinsured. This may force them to put off important, preventive healthcare measures like a yearly dental exam, blood work, mammogram or even an eye exam. But what if there was an event in which local health organizations came together to offer these health screenings and more to Northern Arizona’s small business community?
If you’re a small business owner or employee, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and North Country HealthCare invite you to join them at the sixth annual Flagstaff’s Small Business Health Fair on Friday, April 11. The fair will be open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Flagstaff Aquaplex, 1702 N. 4th Street.
This is the best health fair in Flagstaff and will be your opportunity to learn more about your health and the services that are available to you in our community. Where else can you simply show up and have the opportunity to receive more than 15 free health screenings?
Flagstaff’s Small Business Health Fair might be the only healthcare that people receive all year. I’ve talked to people who say one or more of the screenings they received at the fair may have saved their life. We’ve found that many put off important preventive measures because they simply don’t know where to begin. North Country HealthCare developed this fair in hopes that people would connect with health resources in the community that they desperately need.
All vendors that participate must offer some kind of free or discounted service or screening available to small business employees.
Some of the free services available include vein screenings, foot screenings, sleep health screenings, COPD screenings, on-site mammography for eligible women, ear canal checks, dental screenings, basic vision exams, blood pressure checks, HIV testing, blood glucose checks, health benefits enrollment assistance, mobility assessments, acupuncture sampling, massages and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about health insurance options, meet with local fitness professionals and even sample food from local eateries.
The most popular screening available at the fair is the free baseline blood test that is offered to the first 200 people who sign up. This screening is a complete lipid panel that also evaluates 30 items related to kidney/liver function, iron, nutrition, diabetes, bone, electrolytes and gout.
The staff of Avenues of the World has attended all five fairs and finds the event to be an excellent resource for the small business community. “We find value in the event in many ways,” said Monika Leuenberger, president and CEO of Avenues of the World. “It’s a one-stop-shop. You have the opportunity to meet various healthcare providers and learn about businesses in the area that you might not have known about.” Leuenberger also said that she encourages all members of her team to schedule an appointment for the free baseline blood test. “It’s great to compare each year’s results,” she said.
The first Small Business Health Fair was planned in a few short months and was an instant success. The fair was held in the small house on North Country HealthCare’s Flagstaff campus and had about 20 vendors in attendance. People were invited to visit the fair to receive free blood work, massages and more. More people attended than expected, so the fair was moved to the Flagstaff Aquaplex the following year.
For the past five years, the planning committee has polled attendees and found what services were most important to them, allowing the committee to narrow down the vendor list and make this event Flagstaff’s most coveted health fair. This year’s event promises to be the most valuable fair yet with the addition of more screenings and the return of on-site mammography.
Flagstaff’s Small Business Health Fair wouldn’t be possible without the help of a committee and the support of sponsors. This year North Country HealthCare has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, PS Printing, The City of Flagstaff, the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Flagstaff Independent Business Alliance, Flagstaff Business News and Coconino County Public Health Services District. FBN
To learn more about the fair or to sign up for your free baseline blood test, call 928-522-9503. For more information about North Country HealthCare visit www.northcountryhealthcare.org.
Katie Brock is the public relations coordinator at North Country HealthCare, 2920 N. 4th Street,
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004.