Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013

Every fall, UE’s senior nursing students work with community leaders on a health promotion project. This year, the Class of 2014 will host a health fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, December 7 at the New Haven campus of Keck Church, 2573 N. Kentucky Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately half of all children from lower-income families have tooth decay, and more than one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese. Also, adults living below the poverty level are three times more likely to suffer serious psychological distress, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Statistics such as these inspired 15 University of Evansville nursing students to educate the local community about mental, nutritional, and oral health – topics identified through consultation with local stakeholders – for their annual senior nursing project.

The health fair will include information and activities such as depression screenings, tooth-brushing education, blood pressure checks, and recipes for inexpensive, healthy meals that can be prepared from items commonly found in food pantries. Lunch will be provided, and attendees will be eligible to win door prizes such as George Foreman grills and slow cookers.

“The senior nursing students’ annual health promotion project is a great way for them to make an impact in the community while preparing for their careers as nurses,” said Amy Hall, White Family Endowed Professor and chair of the Dunigan Family Department of Nursing and Health Sciences at UE. “This project has helped the students develop community assessment and public health skills, as well as leadership and teamwork abilities.”

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