Fair stresses health by the numbers

 
Students focused on health by the numbers at the Fall Wellness Fair, Wednesday.
Southern University’s Baranco-Hill Student Health Center joined with SU School of Nursing for the Homecoming Fall Wellness Fair on the SU Museum of Art lawn.
The fair provided students with free testing and information; so they can proactively prevent health problems.
Sandra Brown professor of Nursing said, students should know their health numbers.
“This year we are trying to impress upon students to know their numbers,” Brown said.
Brown mentioned some numbers that are important to understand and be aware of.
“Blood pressure, Blood sugar, blood count, HIV/AIDs status, Body mass index, and Breast cancer screening,” Brown said.
While testing was provided on site, Brown said students were able to sit in seminars on site to learn how to stay properly informed and self-efficient at health checks.
“Nutritional counseling, stress reduction, and when they go to stations they get individualized counseling,” Brown said.
Wilfret Lorraine, Outreach Coordinator for the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge was giving lectures in the Mary Perkins Cancer Center RV, she explained the mission of the RV.
“(The RV) goes out around Parishes to find underserved women by working with the Mary Bird Perkins Center and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital,” Lorraine said.
Lorraine said that cases of breast cancer are becoming natural for girls younger, which is why she came to fair to get the message out.
“Because let’s face it, the young ladies are developing it fast so we need young ladies to get tested,” Lorraine said.
Lorraine said at one prior seminar a girl as young as fourteen was found to have a benign tumor.
Kiana Upshaw, junior education major from Gary, Ind., said her hometown kept her informed on health issues.
“Well back in my hometown we have Pearls: A pink ribbon legacy society, which provided youth with information on breast cancer,” Upshaw said.
She said attending Southern University Health Fair she would able to experience a true health fair.
“Wanted to come for first time to experience mammogram,” Upshaw said.
Upshaw cited several reasons why she thinks other students should take advantage of free health screenings.
“It’s a free screening and it’s beneficial to your health, so you should take advantage of it,” Upshaw said.
Keshala Jackson, director of Young Women’s Christian Association  (YWCA) of Greater Baton Rouge provided information about their testing program.
“The YWCA provides HIV/AIDS testing absolutely free,” Jackson said.
Getting tested is the main topic for this year’s fair from the organization’s viewpoint, Jackson said.
“The only way to fight is to know you status,” Jackson said.
Steven Ingram, a freshman apparel merchandising and interior decorating major from Memphis, said he attended the fair because of campus wide conversation.
“All my friends were talking about it, I just wanted to see what the festivities are about,” Ingram said.
Chris Ceasar and Jennifer Harrison, senior rehabilitation majors from Baton Rouge, said the fair was important.
“I learned things I didn’t know and it’s better to keep yourself up now than wait till your forty will all types of problems,” Ceasar said.
Harrison said she was a diabetic and her condition requires her to stay informed about her health.
Students were able to give blood with the Life Share Blood Center, get tested for HIV or AIDs with YWCA, pick up VitaminWater at the VitaminWater station, find out information about sexually transmitted diseases at the health center station, and get mammogram tests with the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center C.A.R.E. Network RV.