LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 10, 2026) – Taking steps toward better health doesn't always have to begin in a doctor's office. Sometimes it can start with a blood pressure check, a conversation about nutrition or a simple screening that identifies a potential health concern before it becomes something more serious. On Saturday, Sept. 19, UK HealthCare and University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension will bring those opportunities — along with plenty of family-friendly activities — together for the fourth annual Be Healthy Bash. The free community health and wellness event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension Office, located off Red Mile Road. More than 50 organizations from across UK, along with community partners and sponsors, will provide health screenings, wellness information and other resources designed to help Kentuckians take steps toward healthier lives. Trudi Matthews, chief of Value-Based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives for UK HealthCare, says events like the Be Healthy Bash are an important part of the university's efforts to reach people before health concerns become more serious. "We are trying to do the right thing to not only care for the people who are in our clinics and our hospitals and other facilities, but we're also working really hard to try and go further upstream to prevent downstream complications," Matthews said. Visitors to the Be Healthy Bash can access services and information including blood pressure checks, vision screenings, hemoglobin A1C testing, immunizations and resources related to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, behavioral health and other health concerns. UK Cooperative Extension and other university experts will also offer resources focused on nutrition and healthy eating, including cooking demonstrations and information designed to help families prepare healthier meals that are affordable and accessible. But Matthews emphasizes that the event is intended to be more than a traditional health fair. Activities include Zumba, inflatables, a petting zoo, a farmers market, a smoothie bike and other opportunities aimed at making health and wellness approachable — and fun — for people of all ages. The event is free, and lunch will be provided to the first 500 attendees. Organizers expect between 500 and 1,000 people to attend this year. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Matthews discusses the importance of preventive care, the barriers that can make accessing health resources difficult and how the Be Healthy Bash brings expertise from across UK and UK HealthCare together in one place to help Kentuckians connect with screenings, information and follow-up care. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. 'Behind the Blue' is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.
