Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Terry Rindfleisch: Health screenings are available to everyone
La Crosse County Public Health Nursing and the La Crosse County Health Department offer all sorts of clinics and screenings for free or at reduced cost.
Many people don’t know the wide range of services provided by the nurses and the health department.
And they don’t realize the services are not just for the poor — they are for anyone.
These services are worth looking at because your tax dollars pay for them to help improve public health.
Here are some of those services. You can make appointments by calling Public Health Nursing at (608) 785-9723:
Well child health screenings for all children to 18 years of age are available by appointment. These screenings may be used for school and camp physicals, but cannot be used for athletic physicals.
Tuberculosis screenings are available by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Lead screening is provided for all children from 1 to 6 years of age.
All childhood immunizations are available, including meningococcal for ages 11 to 18 and HPV for girls 18 and younger. Adult vaccines are available. There is an evening immunization clinic from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m. Sept. 2 at Onalaska Middle School.
Pregnancy testing.
Wisconsin Well Woman Program assists women ages 45 to 64 to receive free mammograms and Pap smears with local providers. Eligibility is based on income and family size.
Foot care clinics. People unable to perform their own foot care can receive care by making an appointment at the following clinics for a $22 fee: Carroll Heights, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 4; West Salem Senior Center, 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 11; La Crosse County Health Depart-ment, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 18; Swifthaven, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 25.
Cholesterol/diabetes screening clinic. La Crosse County Public Health Nursing is now offering cholesterol screening, 12- hour fast blood sugar testing (with breakdown of HDL, LDL and trigylcerides) and blood pressure. The blood sample used is taken from the finger tip. The results are available after about 15 minutes. The next clinic will be held from 7:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Sept. 24.
Free car seat checks and rental. The La Crosse County Health Depart-ment offers free car seat checks to La Crosse County residents. Car seat rental is available for a term of three to four weeks. The rental fee is $10 with a deposit of $20. The deposit will be returned when the car seat is returned on time and in good condition. Call (608) 785-9872 to make an appointment.
HIV testing. The Health Department offers HIV testing every Thursday. Call (608) 785-9872 for more information or to make an appointment. Cost for the test varies and is by a sliding fee scale.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at (608) 791-8227 or trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com.
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