We eat poorly. We don’t exercise. We smoke. And we’re ill.

If the news about the dire state of Kentucky’s health inspires you to take stock of your own, The Courier Journal and WHAS TV would like to help.

Mindful of the axiom, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," the newspaper and TV station are sponsoring a free Community Health Fair next week.

Working through Community Health Charities of Kentucky, we’ve lined up more than a dozen booths where you can check the status of your health and learn more about preventing disease. For example:

Louisville Metro Health Department will do blood pressure checks and body fat analyses and provide information on nutrition and stopping smoking.

The American Lung Association will provide lung screenings.

Prevent Blindness of America’s Kentucky chapter will provide vision screenings.

Mental Health Association of Kentucky will provide mental health screenings.

Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center/Easter Seals of Louisville will provide hearing tests.

For more information, call The Courier Journal’s Readers Service department at 582 4545.

Investigations with Impact: The heart of The Courier Journal mission is public service journalism. Daily, we print and put online the watchdog stories that significantly affect you.