Health fair has tips for everyone in the family

OCEANSIDE — Health experts shared tips on how everyone in the family — from people to pets — can stay well during the North County Health Fair held at the Civic Center Plaza on Aug. 11.
Close to 70 health and wellness professionals gave onsite screenings, demonstrations, information handouts and freebies.
“It covers the gamut of heath professionals from doctors, to dentists, chiropractors, and veterinarians,” said Kristi Hawthorne, event coordinator. “It covers all ways of living healthy, not just diet and exercise.”
Free on site screenings included blood pressure readings, body fat index analyses and blood sample screenings to determine kidney health.
Tri-City Medical Center took participants’ blood pressure readings and body fat readings.
“It’s always important to know where you stand on those,” said Linda Luce, Tri-City Medical Center public affairs and marketing representative. “It’s good to be aware of your health, good or bad.”
Luce said most people are knowledgeable about where they currently stand health-wise. The increase in individuals taking charge of their health has put a demand on health care providers to make self-screening tools easily accessible, such as locating them at drug store pharmacies.
“We live in the biggest community of health enthusiasts I can think of,” Luce said.
Another trend in healthcare is the rise in integrated medical facilities.
“Integrated medical facilities have more types of doctors and different medical practices under one roof,” said Kristin Sutton, San Diego Spine and Rehabilitation manager and community relations director. “Our facility has medical doctors, physical therapists and massage therapists under one roof. It’s a one-stop-shop for patients. All the doctors are working together for patients’ best interests and best care.”
This is the seventh year the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has held the North County Health Fair. During the last two years additional booths have been added due to the popularity of the event.
“Each year it gets bigger and better,” Hawthorne said. “Last year vender booths sold out. This year they sold out again.”
Over 1,000 spectators are estimated to have attended. “Last year we gave out 400 reusable shopping bags in the first hour-and-a-half,” Hawthorne said. “In four hours I’m confident there were over 1,000 people.”