Living Well: Health Fair deals

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

By Teresa Griswold

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-In this recessionary time, you can advance your health by having your hearing, vision, skin, body fat, teeth and blood pressure checked without spending a dime. You read right: The Teton County Health Fair is like one-stop shopping, and most everything is free of charge.

It’s a community event where health professionals donate their time to ensure that our families are kept safe and healthy. So if you haven’t been checked for anything recently, the May 2 health fair is the time.

The free screenings include vision and glaucoma testing by Dr. William Ramsey of the Teton Eye Clinic; hearing and hearing aids by St. John’s ENT (ear, nose and throat); early childhood dental screenings by Jackson Hole Family Dentistry; skin cancer screenings by Dr. Christian Anderson from Western Wyoming Dermatology; blood pressure testing and body fat composition by St. John’s Medical Center staff.
In addition, a free prostate screening for men age 50 and over will be held May 4 to 6 through St. John’s Medical Center. Participating providers include Drs. Lisa Finkelstein, George Waterhouse, Michael Rosenberg, Jill Little, Jr. and April North as well as Rosie Boschen, P.A.

A popular way to stretch your dollar is to have your blood tested through the health fair’s annual blood screening deal. For $35, the basic chemistry profile provides a wealth of information about your overall health: screening glucose, cholesterol, kidney, bone, thyroid function and more.

Bring your results to the fair and a St. John’s Medical Center physician with tell you what’s happening in your body for free. This is such a great value, it is the No. 1 reason people attend the fair.

Health fair blood draws are currently being held weekdays through May 1 at St. John’s Medical Center by appointment, and St. John’s lab staff will be on hand to draw blood at the fair for your last chance to take advantage of the discounted price. However, for tests taken the day of the fair, results will not be ready for the free physician analysis. Call ahead for fasting guidelines or to schedule an appointment at 739-7531.

Keep in mind that physicians evaluate overall health based on history, interviews and examinations. Although the blood screening and analysis will provide you with some good information, it is not a replacement for a regular doctor’s care.
The fair is a day full of free give-a-ways, healthy demonstrations, and more than 50 health and wellness booths offering activities and information including opportunities for volunteering. Activities include Wii demonstrations, gluten-free cooking and recipes, educational pods and ambulance tours.

More budget-friendly initiatives this year include free infant and car seat safety checks conducted by Jackson Hole Fire and EMS specialists. Plus new car seats will be available for the low price of $25 offered on a first come, first serve basis, limited to one per family.

Kids can also be fitted for bike helmets free of charge, and new helmets will be available for a nominal $10 on a first come, first serve basis.

There are no excuses to not be safe and healthy with so much offered for free or for a discount at this year’s fair. According to St. John’s Medical Center’s community wellness coordinator, Catherine Holland, R.D., there is something for everyone.

It is a place to gather information about health and wellness and to meet with local healthcare providers in a communal, fun and interactive setting. Don’t miss this family-friendly event. PJH

FILE PHOTO
The Teton County Health Fair is a family-oriented place to meet with local health care providers.

PERMALINK:
Living Well: Health Fair deals | Planet JH News Article: Living Well

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