LAPORTE — As the tough economy continues to take its toll, many are being forced to make sacrifices when it comes to their health. The loss of a job often comes with a loss of medical insurance, and LaPorte Hospital is offering a way to help the public stay healthy — cost free.

"We're just like the little hidden treasure in our area. We just want to help people and serve people in our area, and that is what LaPorte Hospital is all about," said Lynn Zeiler, manager of LaPorte Hospital's rehabilitation and wellness center, The Crossing.

The Crossing is funded by the LaPorte Hospital Foundation, and it is because of this that they are able to offer free screenings for a variety of issues. The hospital says that staying on top of your health is the best way to prevent expensive problems down the road.

"Early detection is the key, so monitoring blood pressure periodically, if it's in the normal range, as an annual check is great,” said Zeiler. “You can have it checked periodically as often as you wish here."

Here is a list of free screenings that are open to the public: