The Flu Shot Booth from the 2013 health fair. Courtesy/LAHC
The BCBS Care Van from a previous fair, will be at Saturday’s fair hosting Access Consciousness Screenings and Child Safety Seat Checks by Los Alamos County Emergency Personnel. Courtesy/LAHCLAHC News:
The 29th annual, 2014 Los Alamos Heart Council Health Fair is 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 27 at Los Alamos High School’s Griffith Gymnasium.
As in past years, there will be free flu shots available (for those 18 years and older), courtesy of Los Alamos Medical Center. Hundreds of flu shots are administered, so be prepared for a line, but the wait is usually not long, especially after 10 a.m. or later.
There also will be discounted blood tests available courtesy of Los Alamos Medical Center (see the Los Alamos Heart council website for the specific blood tests and prices). Many of the 75 booths will have free screenings ranging from blood pressure, blood sugar, and asthma to glaucoma. There will be an abundance of information about physician services, fitness, nutrition, health insurance, medications, allergies, chiropractic services, acupuncture, diabetes, natural medicine, emergency preparedness, and information on many other health and wellness topics and the organizations and businesses that serve all ages in the community promoting health, fitness, nutrition, safety and medical services.
Local radio station KRSN will be at the Health Fair entertaining and reporting on the goings on at the fair. Parents can have their child seat installations check outside by certified personnel from the county emergency services departments, Friends of the Shelter will holda pet adoption event and fair goers will be able to view Fire Department paramedic equipment.
The Health Fair is a wonderful family event; attending with the family is a great way to become educated about community health resources and services for children. Lastly, every kid’s favorite part of the Health Fair – bike helmets. There will be 150 helmets given out to children accompanied by an adult. The helmets are free courtesy of the Los Alamos Heart Council and fittings will be done by the Los Alamos Tuff Riders Mountain Bike Club to be sure they fit properly. The Tuff Riders will also educate families about bike safety.
The Los Alamos Heart Council Heart Council Health Fair began in 1985 as an idea at a Heart Council meeting proposed by Dr. Carolyn Linnebur and Mahavir Jain. This first health fair was held at Fuller Lodge. Over the years, it grew to include the Community Building and then moved to Griffith Gym at Los Alamos High School where it is to this day. The widely attended Health Fair’s goals are to provide education and information to the general public about the health resources and services available in the community and surrounding areas, and to provide an opportunity for health screenings and self-assessment. In addition, the fair promotes health awareness and healthy decision-making through activities and educational materials.
The annual Health Fair is truly a collaborative effort and is only successful through a range of community partnerships. The Heart Council hopes to see the community turn out for the 2014 Los Alamos Heart Council Health Fair 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Griffith Gym. For more information, visit the Heart Council (a United Way Community Partner) website at www.losalamosheartcouncil.org.
NMSU Cooperative Extension’s Colon Escapade. The Escapade is a large inflatable model of both healthy and diseased colon sections. It is designed to alert people to the need for colon screenings. The Endoscopy Center has a booth with additional information on screenings. Courtesy/LAHC