Public health knowledge for first-generation and low-income students
The University of Miami UAID Chapter has a long-standing community partnership with Upward Bound and continues to educate first-generation college students and students from low-income families on various public health topics such as environmental health, mental health, substance use, and sexual health. They conduct multiple educational sessions each semester and implement post-tests after each one in order to explore retention and usefulness of information, overall satisfaction with sessions, and changes in knowledge over time. For example, on a scale of 1 to 10 of how useful the information was, students reported an average of 8 for one session and 9 for another. The Chapter uses these results to refine and build upon their existing curriculum for future educational sessions.
Access to healthy foods through SNAP
In 2017, the University of Chicago UAID Chapter set out to address the public health issue of obesity in their local community. They began by surveying community members on their eating behaviors to get a better understanding of needs and areas for intervention. A local church, farmer’s market, and public library in Chicago all agreed to partner with the Chapter on this important endeavor. Through these partnerships, they were able to educate many community members on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and assisted 11 individuals with applying for SNAP. The Chapter’s follow-up with these individuals showed that those who had started receiving SNAP benefits reported positive changes in their eating behaviors, including more visits to the grocery store and less time spent visiting restaurants and fast-food establishments each month.
COVID kits for people experiencing homelessness
In 2020, Columbia University's UAID Chapter worked to address imperative inequities within its community to help those in need. With the pandemic at an all-time high and resources being spread thin, Columbia's Chapter decided to place its efforts towards helping those experiencing homelessness by providing them COVID Kits. Many students were spread throughout the country, which allowed us to help populations in both New York City and Los Angeles. The Kits include portable thermometers, sanitizing wipes, masks, water, sandwiches, and feminine care products. They were able to make and distribute over 160 kits this past semester and hope to continue helping communities in need.
Public health workshops for high school students
In partnership with the Consultation Center on campus, the Yale University UAID Chapter helped develop and implement a health fair in 2017 for 9th to 12th grade students at Riverside Education Academy. The health fair featured three workshops for students that covered topics such as mental health, substance abuse, sexual health, and nutrition. The Chapter was able to collaborate with the Yale Sexual Harassment and Assault Response & Education Center and Yale Community Health Educators to facilitate these educational workshops for students and collected survey data as part of their evaluation.
Healthy foods and nutrition workshop for elementary school students
In 2018, the University of Michigan UAID Chapter partnered with the Ypsilanti Public School District to provide an interactive workshop for 2nd to 5th grade students. The workshop aimed to educate students on nutrition, healthy eating and overall well-being. The Chapter also served students fresh fruits, vegetables and smoothies. Overall, students were engaged and interested in learning more about the nutritional benefits of the food that they regularly eat. This project came out of the need to address childhood obesity in the Chapter’s local community.
Educational and hands-on support for healthy aging
In 2019, UAID at the University of Chicago began implementing their healthy aging program at a local South Side church through a series of educational talks from the Supporting Healthy Aging Resources and Education Network, a geriatric enhancement program affiliated with the University of Chicago. These educational talks were supplemented by ‘signature events’ hosted by UAID students which included hands-on activities related to the prior talk. To help foster on-campus engagement with health inequities, they also hold quarterly panels on various public health issues
Resource navigation for people experiencing homelessness
The Johns Hopkins University UAID chapter focused its efforts on addressing health inequities in local homeless populations in Baltimore, especially as they relate to COVID-19. As they were not able to serve the homeless population in-person in 2020 due to the pandemic, they designed and electronically shared housing, employment, and higher education resource brochures with a local homeless shelter to help make these resources more accessible for their clients. Each brochure contained information on how to access active city and community resources, as well as online resources for residents to navigate.
Resources and funding for food insecurity
University of Maryland, College Park's UAID chapter worked in 2020 to reduce health inequities and food insecurity among affected populations in our surrounding community. They have long understood that food security leads to better health outcomes for families, and as a result, they focused on fundraising and donating food items for their community members in need. In addition, they have created educational resources to reduce obesity and diabetes as well as guide families towards a healthy and nutritional diet. They fundraised over $700 and donated over 500 food items while also assisting in weekly food distribution events in Prince George's County, Maryland.