Health district offers sports physicals

Housatonic Valley Health District will be offering sports physicals for schoolaged children, beginning Sept. 10.

In a release, Heidi Bettcher, community health nursing supervisor at the health district, which serves New Milford, Oxford, Southbury, Washington, and Woodbury, said, “Sports physicals are important to ensure that kids are being safe while having fun playing a sport. Most organizations require a sports physical because this allows a medical professional to review the patient's medical history and catch any risk factors that may impact their health by playing a specific sport.”

During a sports physical visit with Housatonic Valley Health District, a licensed medical provider will review the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam. The physical exam will include collecting information like height and weight, vital readings, medical history questionnaire and family medical history inquiries.

“While sport physicals cannot take the place of an annual physical with a pediatrician, they are an important tool that many families rely on while awaiting an appointment with their child's provider,” Director of Health Lisa Morrissey said in a statement. “We heard from many parents that obtaining clearance for their child to play sports was another source of stress if you couldn't get in to see the pediatrician right away.”

To schedule an appointment or learn more about how to prepare for a sports physical with the health district, visit www.hvhd.us/

community-health /sports-physicals.