Saturday's Health Expo Will Offer More than 40 Free Screenings

More than 40 health screenings will be offered to the public this Saturday at the Columbus Health Department’s 2012 Health Expo. In addition to the three most popular tests - for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol - attendees can be checked for HIV, sickle cell disease, various cancers, and bone density. Mental health and oral exams will be conducted; vouchers will be offered for breast and Pap tests.

“You can’t fix what you haven’t identified, and screening can help identify something before it becomes a problem,” said Mark Ellis, one of the event’s planners and the health promotions coordinator for the West Central Health District. After undergoing the tests, each individual will meet with a doctor or nurse who will explain the results.

Parking, admission, and testing all are free; however, Jack Lockwood, the event’s public relations director, advised people to come early. During the expo’s 11-year history, more than 12,000 people have undergone more than 44,000 health screenings.

The expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Ave.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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