The staff of Lehighton Medical Associates, a member of St. Luke's Physician Group and affiliated with St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network, is offering a free screening to test for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Alpha-1, a genetic form of emphysema, is a chronic disorder that often goes unrecognized and misdiagnosed. It is estimated that 95 percent of individuals with AAT deficiency do not even know they have it.

Appropriate patients who will benefit from this screening include those with:*Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)*Emphysema*Chronic bronchitis*Asthma that does not respond well to treatment*A family history of AAT deficiency or a family member with one of the diseases listed above.The free screening program consists of a simple finger stick and the completion of a brief questionnaire. The screening process should take approximately 20 minutes. An Alpha-1 Patient Advocate will be available to provide more information on the deficiency and to discuss family concerns.The screenings will be held from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Lehighton Medical Associates, located at 1001 Mahoning Street, Suite 1, Lehighton.To schedule your screening, call Lehighton Medical Associates at (610) 379-0200. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited and walk-in patients will be accepted based on availability.