Each year, on the last Friday and Saturday in February, Mon General Hospital sponsors the area’s premier health and wellness event at the Morgantown Mall: HEALTHFAIR.

                Click here for information about the 2013 HealthFair, to be held Feb. 22-23 at Morgantown Mall. Hours for the 2013 HealthFair are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

                HealthFair is an annual opportunity for individuals to participate in health screenings, get an overall picture of their health and learn what steps to take to create a healthy lifestyle. Many of the hospital’s departments and physicians have exhibits at HealthFair, where visitors can stop by and have their questions answered and learn about the healthcare services available right in our own backyard.

                By far, the most popular screening offered at HealthFair is the Multiphasic Blood Analysis.  This test can be an early warning of health problems, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease and other disorders.  Among the tests included in the Multiphasic are a Lipid Profile, consisting of Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL. Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. Other tests included in the Multiphasic include a complete blood count and chemistry panel. Prostate Specific Antigen and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone can be added for an additional fee.

                While the variety of low cost and free screenings vary each year, screenings typically offered include Ultrasounds of the gallbladder, aorta and carotid arteries; Peripheral Artery Disease; Ultrasounds of the Thyroid; Blood Glucose Screening; Pulmonary (Lung) Function Tests;  Leg Vein Screening; Bone Density Screening; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Glaucoma; Skin Cancer; and Electrocardiograms (EKG).

                Pre-registration is offered for many of the screening, typically beginning in mid-January. Pre-registration information is available on the Mon General website and published in The Dominion Post.

                Often a variety of events, such as the Annual Baby Crawl, musical entertainment and Talk to the Doc discussions are held in conjunction with HealthFair.

                Mon General’s first health fair was held March 2 and 3, 1984 at Mountaineer Mall. That first event had more than 20 displays from the hospital and an additional 15 from community organizations. The event has evolved over the years and was moved to the “new” Morgantown Mall in February 1992.