The Alachua County Health Department will hold free medical screenings today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and dental screenings available.
People can also bring their prescriptions for pharmaceutical counseling, said Cynthia Chestnut, the event's coordinator.
"Basically, we want to raise the awareness of taking care of your health, and I think you can't stress that enough," Chestnut said.
The free screenings, sponsored by Shands HealthCare and other local organizations, are part of Take a Loved One to a Doctor Day, a national event that started six years ago. The clinic, at 224 SE 24th St., will also host Magic 101.3 radio station and a variety of vendors with prizes and giveaways, Chestnut said.
While she said she expects a lot of interest in the event, she said she's not worried about lines deterring people.
"We have so many different things going on that people will be able to go to a different screening," she said.
If the screenings reveal serious health problems, patients will be advised to see their doctors.
"The idea is to get them to the doctor now, to get them taken care of now," she said.
