State health officials are encouraging Iowans to participate in “Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day.” Janice Edmunds-Wells, the state’s minority health liaison, says this is the day (Tuesday) you should look around and take note of your friends and family. Edmunds-Wells says the campaign is designed to have you check with your loved ones and neighbors and help them set up an appointment for the physician or dentist or offer to take them and make sure they’re taking care of themselves in the best way possible. While many people like to avoid the dentist, for example, she says a little preventative maintenance now could save a lot of hassle later. If you have a minor problem, like a small cavity, taken care of early, it won’t grow to become a bigger problem that may cause you to lose the tooth entirely. Edmunds-Wells says the same thing goes with physical exams — looking for everything from high blood pressure to early signs of cancer. She hopes people will get over their fears to have their exams and checkups that may offset the long-lasting issues that might otherwise happen.
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