The Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair is operating at full capacity

Indianapolis, Indiana – This year marks the 37th annual Indiana Black and Minority Health Conference, which is currently underway.

The Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair is a comprehensive event that provides health tests in addition to educational opportunities.

Over the course of the event’s four days, attendees can take advantage of free health exams valued at tens of thousands of dollars, and a variety of organizations will be on hand to give a wide range of services.

“We’re excited that we have the opportunity again to serve so many who need these free health screenings. We have the opportunity to gather with our sponsors and our exhibitors,” Antoniette Holt, the director of the Office of Minority Health at the Indiana Department of Health said.

The 37th Annual Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair is ensuring that all Hoosiers have a healthy future by providing screenings for a variety of diseases, such as cholesterol and diabetes, as well as clinical breast checks and cancer awareness.

Debi Buckles, the tobacco control branch leader at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, said, “This is a really important event to help this population understand certain health risks and what they can do to prevent those health risks.”

The event intends to address health disparities, with a particular focus on communities of color, which are disproportionately affected.

Holt said, “We have the opportunity to be able to make people aware of their numbers and different things that’s happening amongst especially racial and ethnic minorities and what we need to do specifically to address those concerns.”

The event is held at the Indiana Convention Center’s Halls J and K from Thursday through Sunday over the course of its four days.

Children aged 5 and older will be eligible for back-to-school vaccines, as well as screenings for blood pressure, HIV, hepatitis C, vision, and hearing. These services will be provided.

In addition, there will be translators and complimentary transportation on Sunday beginning at the Global Village Welcome Center, which is situated on the western edge of the city.

Buckles said, “We hope that people learn something from this event for themselves or for a family member or loved one. Maybe it’s not directly to themselves, but you know, we all want to do our part to help people be healthier and live happier and healthier lives.”