photo by: LMH Health

LMH Health, 325 Maine St., is pictured in May 2021.

When life gets busy, making your health a priority can sometimes take a back seat. LMH Health is providing an opportunity to make getting routine screenings convenient with the Annual Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the LMH Main Campus.

The 2023 Lawrence-Douglas County Community Health Assessment (CHA) identified access to health care as a priority for Douglas County residents. The LMH Annual Health Fair provides a chance for people of all ages to participate in screenings and learn more about health conditions and concerns.

“We’re excited to sponsor the Health Fair again this year,” said Allison Koonce, LMH Health community outreach and engagement supervisor. “Our goal is to raise awareness of health risks, help you learn healthy habits and help you access resources available in the community.”

Teams from LMH Health and other community agencies will be on hand to talk with participants, provide health education, information and connect with the community. You can visit with them to learn more about topics including diabetes, stroke, and pregnancy and childbirth.

Providers from LMH Health Primary Care will also be available to talk about health topics. It’s important to know that though millennial and Gen Z patients often prefer the convenience afforded by walk-in clinics, establishing a relationship with a primary care provider is one key to good health.

“Sometimes people feel shy about establishing a relationship with a primary care provider. Our goal is to get to know our patients and have a long-lasting relationship to care for them,” said Dr. Ashley Bloom, a physician with LMH Health Primary Care — East Heights. “One the best parts of my job is caring for my patients over time — whether that is celebrating their health goals, or walking with them through tough health problems. We also help remind patients to keep on track with preventative screenings and vaccines.”

Free and low-cost screenings and services

Take advantage of free screenings to get the skinny on your health. It’s much easier to stay healthy when issues are caught early. Stop in to participate in these screenings presented by LMH Health clinics and community partners including:

• Blood pressure — LMH Health Community Outreach and Engagement

• BMI (body mass index) — Masonic Cancer Alliance

• Bone density — University of Kansas Pharmacy students

• Colorectal cancer screening kits for those who are eligible — Masonic Cancer Alliance

• Glucose — LMH Health Diabetes Education

• Hearing — Lawrence Otolaryngology

• Skin cancer — Masonic Cancer Alliance

• Stroke assessment — LMH Health Stroke team

• Vision — Lawrence Lions Club

If you’re age 18 or older, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association will be on hand to provide flu shots for $60. Insurance can’t be billed, so payment is required with cash or check. If you’re 65 or older, make sure to bring your Medicare card.

For those without insurance, the health fair can also provide services that cost less than a doctor’s visit, including blood work. The LMH Health Laboratory will provide a comprehensive, fasting blood panel for a small fee, including total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Men can also add an optional PSA (prostate specific antigen) test to measure the level of PSA in the bloodstream. It’s usually the first step in diagnosing prostate cancer.

“Unfortunately, prostate cancer typically does not cause any symptoms until the disease has progressed and is often beyond cure. The majority of urinary symptoms men get from the prostate is benign disease and not cancer,” said Dr. Douglas Klingler, an urologist with Lawrence Urology Specialists. “This is why the PSA test is useful, as it can allow us to detect cancer years before someone has symptoms and hopefully while it’s still confined to the prostate and curable.”

Take charge of your health and join LMH Health for the Annual Health Fair.

“Attending the Health Fair provides a one-stop opportunity for free health screenings, low-cost blood work, flu shots and to get education and information on health topics that affect us all,” Koonce said. “We’d love to see you there!”

— Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World’s health section.