Regular health screenings are the best way to prevent illness, but only one in four Americans get a regular yearly check-up. Austin Public Health (APH) Health Equity Unit and Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) invite you to change that by bringing someone with you to Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day 2024, Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parque Zaragosa Neighborhood Park (2608 Gonzales St., Austin, 78702).  

“Regular health screenings play an important role to prevent disease and support overall health, but too many of our friends and loved ones skip their regular check-ups,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “This event brings together a variety of community resources to help people better understand the importance of screenings and get connected to community resources that can help kick off a new habit of getting regular check-ups and preventative care.”  

The annual Take a Loved One (TALO) event has historically focused on fostering stronger relationships with African American communities and other marginalized groups in Austin-Travis County. This event is particularly important for addressing persistent health disparities that disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic residents.

According to the 2023 Critical Health Indicators Report from Austin Public Health (APH), significant disparities in health outcomes continue to exist. For example, the mortality rate from heart disease among Black residents is 57 percent higher than that of white residents, and the mortality rate from cancer is 34 percent higher for Black individuals compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, Black and Hispanic residents are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as white residents, with Black individuals almost three times more likely to die from diabetes-related complications.

This event is one of three in the year that aims to highlight these issues, promote health equity and encourage community members to take proactive steps in managing their health.

Take a Loved One for a Check-up EVENT

The FREE event includes:

Health screenings including blood sugar and cholesterol checks (please don’t eat eight hours before a cholesterol test and two hours before a blood sugar test)

• Vaccinations
• Valuable health info
• Live entertainment
• Door prizes
• Backpacks and school supplies

Take a Loved One for a Check-up DAY

Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day encourages individuals to take charge of their health and help their loved ones do the same.  

Anyone can participate in the day by:  

• Visiting a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, dentist or others.  
• Making an appointment for a visit.  
• Attending a community health event.  
• Helping a friend, neighbor or family member do any of the above.

In 2023, APH and PARD re-started Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day in Austin for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. 201 people attended the event last year and 50 families received vaccinations.  

About Take a Loved One for a Check-up  

The day focuses on helping members of underserved communities get access to the health care and services they need. Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day is vital because too many racial and ethnic minorities are dying prematurely and suffering from preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, HIV/ AIDS, infant mortality and vaccine-preventable diseases.  

While Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day looks to support racial and ethnic minorities who suffer from the greatest health gap, the campaign urges all Americans to focus on prevention and early detection, beginning by going to a health care professional for a check-up.