SPRINGFIELD -- The University of Illinois at Springfield will host its Ninth Annual Health Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the concourse area and conference rooms on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Health Awareness Day is sponsored by the UIS Master of Public Health Student Association and the Campus Health Service in celebration of National Public Health Week, which this year focuses on the theme "Take the First Step! Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation's Most Vulnerable Populations."
CHS Director Lynne Price explained, "As health educators, we need to encourage the most vulnerable populations to effectively prepare for man-made and natural disasters. Ensuring the conditions for people to be healthy is an essential part of helping them to protect themselves from preventable, serious health problems. This program is one of the ways we educate the community."
Price noted that, in addition to community and campus participants, this year kindergarten students from Springfield's Little Flower School will attend.
A keynote presentation will focus on "Disaster Preparedness and Volunteers in Public Health," from noon to 1 p.m. in PAC conference room F.
Activities include free screenings for cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, vision, body fat, bone density, and asthma. Information will be available on smoking cessation, exercise, nutrition, spinal health, cancer awareness, HIV/AIDS, dental health, alcohol awareness, violence prevention, and caregiver assessments as well as alternative fuels/vehicles and carbon monoxide testing. Demonstrations and other information will also be provided on disaster preparedness, hand washing, and pandemic flu.
Participants can also visit chiropractic and massage booths, sample vegetarian food, pick up a radon test kit, get information about and sign up to be a blood donor, and visit the Springfield Fire Department's "House of Hazards" simulator. Drop-off boxes will also be provided for non-perishable donations to the Salvation Army and Helping Hands food drive.
The following agencies and individuals are participating in Health Awareness Day: All Kids; Dr. Daryl Allen, Chiropractor; American Lung Association; American Red Cross; Capitol Area Asthma Coalition; Catholic Charities; Central Illinois Community Blood Center; Central Illinois Restless Leg Syndrome Support Group; Fit Club; Glaxo Smith Kline; Memorial Medical Center; Sangamon County Department of Public Health; Sojourn Shelter; Springfield Area Planned Parenthood; Springfield Vegetarian Association; St. John's Hospital; Third Age Living; and Jennifer Willis, Massage Therapist.
UIS participants include the Campus Health Service, Counseling Center, Environmental Studies Department, Multi Cultural Student Association, Office of Student Volunteer Services and Civic Engagement, and the Women's Center.
The Campus Health Service is part of UIS' Division of Student Affairs. For more information, contact Jill Stoops in the Health Service at 206-6676, or e-mail jstoo1@uis.edu.
