AUSTIN — Here’s a sobering statistic that might make you squirm in your seat: only one in four Americans bothers to get a regular yearly check-up. That means three out of four of us are playing health roulette, crossing our fingers and hoping everything’s fine under the hood.
Austin Public Health isn’t having it. They’re fighting back against our collective tendency to avoid the doctor with their annual “Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day” event, happening this Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ACC Eastview Campus Auditorium (3401 Webberville Rd.).
The Buddy System for Your Health
“Regular health visits can put you on the right path to a healthier life, and serve as early detection for conditions and diseases, but we see too many of our friends and loved ones skipping their yearly check-ups,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. Her solution? Make it a group activity, like bowling or karaoke, but with stethoscopes instead of strike balls.
The genius behind the “Take a Loved One” concept is simple: it’s harder to chicken out when someone you care about is counting on you. Plus, moral support makes everything better, from root canals to blood draws.
Confronting Austin’s Health Gap Head-On
This isn’t just about getting more people through clinic doors—it’s about addressing some genuinely alarming health disparities right here in our backyard. According to Austin Public Health’s 2023 Critical Health Indicators Report, the numbers tell a story that should make every Austinite pay attention.
Black residents face a heart disease mortality rate that’s 57% higher than their white neighbors. Cancer mortality rates are 34% higher for Black individuals compared to white residents. When it comes to diabetes, Black and Hispanic residents are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed, with Black individuals facing almost three times the risk of dying from diabetes-related complications.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent real families, real neighbors, real members of our Austin community who deserve better health outcomes.
A Health Fair That Actually Sounds Fun
Saturday’s free event promises to make health screenings as painless as possible, with a healthy dose of entertainment thrown in for good measure. Here’s what’s on the menu:
Health screenings including blood sugar and cholesterol checks (pro tip: skip breakfast if you want accurate cholesterol results—wait eight hours—and hold off on snacks for two hours before blood sugar testing).
Limited vaccinations for those who need to catch up on their shots.
Live entertainment because nothing makes waiting for test results more bearable than good music.
Door prizes because who doesn’t love the chance to win something while doing something good for their health?
Beyond Saturday: Making Every Day Count
The event is just the kickoff. Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day encourages everyone to become health advocates for themselves and their circle. You can participate by visiting any health professional—doctor, nurse, dentist, or other healthcare provider—making an appointment for future care, attending community health events, or simply helping a friend or family member do any of the above.
Think of it as being a health wingman for the people you care about.
A Mission Bigger Than Austin
While Saturday’s event focuses on supporting racial and ethnic minorities who face the greatest health disparities, the underlying message is universal: prevention and early detection should be everyone’s priority. The campaign recognizes that too many people are dying prematurely from preventable diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
The solution isn’t complicated—it just requires showing up. Whether you’re overdue for your own check-up or know someone who keeps putting off that doctor’s visit, Saturday offers the perfect opportunity to break the cycle of health procrastination.
Making Health Care Less Intimidating
There’s something reassuring about facing health screenings with backup. Maybe it’s the moral support, maybe it’s the shared experience, or maybe it’s just harder to make excuses when someone else is holding you accountable. Whatever the psychology behind it, the Take a Loved One approach has been working to connect Austin’s underserved communities with essential healthcare services.
This year marks one of three events designed to promote health equity and encourage proactive health management across Austin-Travis County. It’s part of a larger effort to ensure that zip code, skin color, or economic status don’t determine health outcomes in our community.
So grab a friend, family member, or neighbor and head to ACC Eastview Campus this Saturday. Your future self—and your loved one’s future self—will thank you for it. After all, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now. The same logic applies to taking charge of your health.
The Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day event is free and open to all Austin-area residents. For more information, contact Austin Public Health’s Health Equity Unit.
