Jumping Students
Hofstra University - School of Health Sciences and Human Services

Master of Public Health and the Society of Public Health Advocates (SOPHA) present

National Public Health Week Event Series
April 15-17, 2015

National Public Health Week

 
 

Click Here for Directions

CLICK EACH EVENT TO VIEW THE LOCATION AND FULL EVENT DESCRIPTION

Wednesday, April 15

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. - RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR CARE: ALZHEIMER’S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA COLLEGE INITIATIVE – Presentations and concert
Location: Multipurpose Room and Student Center Theater, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus
Session Description: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. It is estimated that as many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer's disease. As our population ages, the disease impacts a greater percentage of Americans. The number of people age 65 and older will more than double between 2010 and 2050 to 88.5 million or 20 percent of the population; likewise, those 85 and older will rise three-fold, to 19 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. To better inform the community about this disease, and to highlight the efforts of those who care for and advocate for this population, we will host the following series of events:
  • 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Alzheimer's Disease and You: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do: The session will cover a basic overview of healthy aging and then discuss what signs to look for, what is dementia, what is Alzheimer's Disease, the basic progression of the disease and the overall scope of it.
  • 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. - Concert by Honor By August: Michael Pearsall, lead singer of Honor By August, will also integrate the band's involvement with the Foundation within the band's set.
  • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Dementia Healthcare Professionals Panel: Did you know that geriatrics is the fastest growing field in healthcare? Come learn about the rewards of working with individuals with dementia and their families. We believe that this will be more widely embraced as an educational/professional advancement session.
  • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Music and Communication as Therapy: How is a song crafted? What triggers lyrics and how do they resonate years after they are written? Michael Pearsall, lead singer of Honor By August, will take participants through the creation of a song and the therapeutic value songwriters get in creating music.
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM CAPACITY & RESPONSE TO DISEASE OUTBREAKS
Location: 246 East Library Wing, Axinn Library, South Campus
Session Description: The sudden increase in demand for essential health services brought on by disasters or disease outbreaks can quickly overwhelm health systems and their institutions, rendering them unable to provide both crisis and routine care. Health systems in developing countries are at particular risk due to severely scarce resources, entrenched fragmentation and long-standing political instability that render them vulnerable even in relatively quiet times. The best defense against disease outbreaks is a strong health system. This session will explore strategies for strengthening and sustaining health system capacity across the globe.
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. - RAISING OF AMERICA: EARLY CHILDHOOD AND THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION – Film screening and discussion
Location: Student Center Theater, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus
Session Description: This session will premiere the documentary The Raising of America that explores how the growing demands on families and caregivers are impacting the physical, emotional, cognitive and social health of infants and young children. Challenges and opportunities to create a healthier, safer, better educated, more prosperous and equitable future for all children are presented. A discussion will follow the film screening, examining the companion National Public Engagement Campaign that aims to reframe the debate about what we as a society can do to ensure a strong start for every child. The Raising of America project grew directly out of California Newsreel’s four-hour PBS series, UNNATURAL CAUSES: Is Inequality Making Us Sick, which explores the root causes of our alarming class and racial inequities in health. For more information about The Raising of America documentary project please visit: www.raisingofamerica.org

Thursday, April 16

8:30 a.m. -2 p.m. - MINORITY HEALTH CONFERENCE – Panel, film contest, health fair
Location: Student Center Theater and Multipurpose Room, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus
Session Description: Public health problems do not stop at the city line. However when it comes to the suburbs and public health issues, there is a tension of perception versus reality. Higher income suburbs benefit overall from residents with better health outcomes, and the health problems of suburban populations are thought to be less significant than those in urban areas in their breadth, depth, and urgency. The new reality is that over half of the US population lives in suburban areas, poor people are more likely to live in the suburbs than in cities, and some health disparities are higher in the suburbs than in urban areas. By focusing on common public health burdens across metropolitan suburbs, this session seeks to identify promising solutions to suburban public health challenges. This conference has three parts:
  • 8:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. – Academic Panel: featuring high-level representatives of suburban health departments in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties to address priority health challenges for their minority populations. A buffet breakfast will be provided at 8:30am.
  • 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Documentary Film Contest: Interdisciplinary teams of students will compete for best film about health issues affecting minority populations on Long Island
  • 12:30p.m. – 2 p.m. – Health Fair: local health care, social service and educational organizations will provide information, materials, demonstrations and screenings for attendees. A light lunch will be provided.
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - LINGERING MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS 2.5 YEARS POST HURRICANE SANDY
Location: Axinn Library, Tenth Floor, South Campus
Session Description: In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated portions of Long Island, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. The impact of this Hurricane was significant. Lives were lost, homes were destroyed, communities were devastated and many are still recovering from substantial financial, medical, and emotional costs. One particular area of ongoing concern 2.5 years later is the lingering impact on mental health. Numerous organizations have worked tirelessly to help those affected rebuild their lives through disaster case management, crisis counseling, volunteer services and trauma counseling, This session will hone in on the availability and outcomes of community-based mental health services following exposure to community disasters and the challenges and opportunities associated with healing individuals, families, and neighborhoods across the region.
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - HIV: ISNT THERE A VACCINE FOR THAT?
Location: Leo A. Guthart Cultural Center Theater, Axinn Library, First Floor, South Campus
Session Description: Only 23% of sexually active high school students have ever been tested for HIV. However, youth ages 13 to 24 account for an estimated 26% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. Most new HIV infections are among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day will be celebrated in conjunction with Hofstra's School of Health Sciences and Human Services National Public Health Week activities. An interactive panel discussion will be held with senior scientists and administrators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pride for Youth, the Health and Education Alternatives for Teens Program and local YMSM living with HIV. Speakers will discuss latest trends, behavioral and biomedical prevention strategies, methods to engage suburban YMSM, key measures that every young person needs to do to protect themselves and their partners, and issues surround dating, disclosure and discrimination among YMSM.

Friday, April 17

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – RE-ENVISIONING THE ROLE OF DENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS IN PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CHRONIC ILLNESS
Location: Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall, North Campus
Session Description: Most people would agree that oral health is an essential part of our everyday lives. Good oral health enhances our ability to chew, smile, speak, and enjoy a high quality life. What fewer people recognize is that oral health is also an essential part of our overall health. Many health problems are reflected first in the mouth and poor oral health can exacerbate existing systemic and organ health problems. Dental health providers are taking a more active role in nutrition education; identifying and treating infectious diseases; and in chronic illness management. This breakfast session will highlight how private dental practitioners, state-wide coalitions and dental health researchers are engaging in innovative strategies to inform individuals and communities about the critical mouth-body connection.
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. - THE HEALTHIEST NATION IN ONE GENERATION: PROMISING INNOVATIONS
Location: Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall, North Campus
Session Description: Right now, the U.S. spends more on health care than other comparable countries and yet many of our outcomes are poorer, and more of us are struggling with health issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other preventable chronic conditions. To build on the national momentum for prevention and public health programs that improve the health of our communities, National Public Health Week made the theme for this year: making US the Healthiest Nation in One Generation – by 2030. This closing session will therefore focus on population health innovations that are already making a difference in the health of our communities. A light buffet lunch will be provided.

PLEASE VISIT THE SOPHA TABLE IN THE SONDRA AND DAVID S. MACK STUDENT CENTER APRIL 15-17 TO LEARN ABOUT THE CAMPUS-WIDE PUBLIC HEALTH CAMPAIGN

All events are free and open to the public

For more information on the event, contact Nicolle Tumminelli via email or 516-463-6467

National Public Health Week 2015 is brought to you by Hofstra University’s School of Health Sciences and Human Services, Master of Public Health Program, Hofstra’s Student Society of Public Health Advocates (SOPHA), and Future Healthcare Leaders of Hofstra University in collaboration with Child Care Council of Nassau County, Docs for Tots, Nassau County Department of Health, Nassau County Perinatal Services Network, Nassau University Medical Center, New York State Oral Health Coalition, Pride for Youth, and Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and School of Education.

Special thanks to our sponsors: AgeWell New York; Alzheimer’s Foundation of America; Healthfirst; Henry Schein Inc.; Jzanus; Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation; Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center at North Shore-LIJ Health System; Hofstra University’s Gitenstein Institute for Health Law and Policy at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law; the Hofstra Cultural Center; and National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.