Valleywide : Free Screenings Mark Public Health Week

A communitywide series of free health screening begin Tuesday to mark Public Health Week.

All programs, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, are free and available to residents of any age.

Caswell Evans, director of Public Health Programs and Services for L.A. County, said Public Health Week programs were started nine years ago to raise community awareness.

“It’s the absence of diseases that often doesn’t get celebrated,” Evans said. Since he created the program in L.A. County in 1988, counties in California and 40 other states have participated. Last year, President Clinton declared April 1 to 7 National Public Health Week.

Activities will be held at the following locations:

* Environmental Health Reaching Out will provide free information from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday at Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Ave. Information: (818) 834-3368.

* Blood pressure screenings and information on earthquake preparedness will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilkinson Senior Center Health Fair, 8956 Vanalden St., Northridge. Information: (818) 756-7741.

* The Devonshire Community Service Center will offer tetanus / diphtheria immunizations and blood pressure screenings from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at 16263 San Fernando Mission Road, San Fernando. Information: (818) 376-1785.

* TB skin testing will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Friday for people 18 and older at Bernardi Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys. Information: (818) 834-6564.

* The Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center Health Awareness Day will offer screenings and education from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at 7515 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys. Information: (818) 901-3914.

* The Lenark Park Health Awareness Fair will offer information on pregnancy, mental health and food safety, as well as immunizations, dental and vision screenings and anonymous HIV testing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 12816 Lanark St., Canoga Park. Information: (818) 834-6564.