Dr. Peter Gott offers sound medical answers to reader questions in the new Lifestyles section...
By ALVIN REINER
ELIZABETHTOWN — Trudging around in the cold woods while hunting can be taxing.
So Elizabethtown Community Hospital recently hosted a hunters clinic, where staff assessed glucose, cholesterol and oxygen levels and checked blood pressure, vision, height and weight, providing an overall health picture.
Participants also had an EKG reading to measure heart health.
A team of nurses and lab staff, led by Dr. Charles Moisan, conducted the health screening, discussed concerns and offered advice.
"Ensuring basic health is important before beginning any physical activity," Emergency Department Nurse Manager Meredith King said.
"Considering that hunters are exerting themselves in areas that may be far from home and difficult to access by emergency personnel, it's important that they have a yearly physical to ensure that there are no major health issues that may make them vulnerable.
"Our priority is protecting the health of our community members, and a hunters health screening allows us to do just that."
Also at the event, a representative from the Essex County Sheriff's Department offered free gun locks, and State Department of Conservation staff were available to answer questions.
The clinic also featured Tony and Pat Salerno, well-known in the hunting community, answering questions and offering tips.
Safety information, recipes, prize drawings and snacks were provided.
