Written by STEVEN BURKE.

DEALING with stress and the need for early intervention were key messages at Ovens and King Community Health’s open day on Wednesday.

Primarily aimed at celebrating the community health organisation’s first birthday in its Ovens Street location, the open day allowed members of the community to have a free health check up, with people screened for diabetes, blood pressure, skin damage and pap tests.

Operations manager at OKCHS, Jan Lang, said early intervention was the key to staying ahead of diabetes, skin cancer and other illnesses.

"Stress is becoming a bigger issue, both with the drought and with other life issues," she said.

"Cardiovascular disease, skin cancer and diabetes are other major (health issues) which we are seeing more of."

The day was well attended, with well over 100 people taking the opportunity to assess the state of their health.