Free health screenings will be held today, Friday, 20th July 2018 at Heron Bay Marketplace, Southampton from 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
The Department of Health held their last screening as part of the series – Taking it to the Streets - on Friday, 22nd June at Woody’s Drive Inn Two Bar & Restaurant.
At that screening the community health nurses saw 63 persons – 43 male and 20 females – of which 42 were referred for further medical follow-up.
Persons were referred for further medical treatment due to their risk for hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
A Department of Health representative said: “These numbers are very alarming and of further concern is that some of those screened did not seem to understand the urgency for personal action to address their diabetes and obesity risks.
“Nevertheless, the Department of Health remains steadfast in continuing to educate the public and raise their awareness of the seriousness of these diseases.”
Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are called “silent killers” because many sufferers do not feel sick – they have no symptoms. Screening is an important tool for testing and early detection before symptoms develop and before debilitating disease takes hold.
Additional screenings will be held from 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on:
24 August 2018 – E.F. Gordon Square, Dundonald Street, Hamilton
28 September 2018 – King’s Square, the town of St. George
The free health screenings help to identify person at risk of chronic non-communicable diseases.
The screenings include:
·Monitoring blood sugar
·Assessing cardiac risk profile
·Monitoring blood pressure
·Monitoring weight
·Other health education