Free health screenings and on-the-spot medical advice will be on tap at the Island's largest public health fair on World Health Day on Friday, April 7.

The free event, hosted by the Argus Group, is being held in partnership with the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Department of Health.

The fair, to be held at the Number One Shed in Hamilton between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., is part of the Argus Group's ongoing effort to educate Bermuda families on the benefits of leading healthy lifestyles.

Over 30 health-related charities, organisations and medical professionals will be represented.

Attendees can take advantage of free health screenings, get answers to medical questions from a wide variety of experts and gain information about the common health concerns affecting Bermudians.

As in 2005 when nearly 1,500 people visited the fair, healthcare experts will be available to conduct blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings. They will also provide information on a multitude of health issues including addiction, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, nutrition, cancer and osteoporosis.

Argus CEO Gerald Simons said: "The Argus Group is committed to helping families on the Island make healthy lifestyle decisions.

"In March of last year, we launched the Island's first insurance led wellness programme which is offered free of charge to all our health insurance clients.

"We recognised many of the illnesses affecting Bermudian families are lifestyle-related.

"By hosting the Health Fair again this year we hope to educate families about the benefits of healthy eating, quitting smoking, regular exercise and reducing stress."

He hopes people will use information from the event to make changes in their routine to reduce the incidence of these preventable illnesses.

Health and Family Services Minister Patrice Minors encourages Bermudians to take advantage of the services on offer at the Argus Health fair: "The Argus Health Fair is designed to encourage Bermudians to assume responsibility for their own health choices by educating them about disease prevention, wellness, and the health resources available to the public in Bermuda.

"We hope the community takes this opportunity to learn more about how small modifications to their lifestyle can lead to dramatic improvements in a person's overall wellbeing."

For more information contact the Argus Customer Service Centre on 298-0888.