COLUMBIA — The Boone County Health Department is hosting a health and wellness fair for women from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Columbia Health Department, located at 1005 W. Worley St.
The event is part of a larger initiative by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to promote the health of women across the country. The department has designated this week as National Women’s Health Week. According to its Web site, the week “encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.”
Free testing for glaucoma, bone density and body mass index will be available at the fair. Women who participate will get immediate results and the chance to speak with a counselor to explore treatment options.
“Everything to do with body mass and body fat is important because we have a huge epidemic of people who are overweight, and it’s growing; that causes a lot of chronic diseases,” said Maureen Coy, health educator at the Boone County Health Department.
Women who attend can also participate in healthy cooking demos and chair massages as well as financial, physical and emotional counseling. Prizes, which can be won by having a free ticket presented upon arrival, include cookbooks, gym and movie passes and fitness accessories.
The event is open to the public and women of all ages are encouraged to attend. Call 874-7356 for more information.