The Student Health Advisory Committee is preparing for a year of new policies and long-term projects.
“”This year is going to be a 180 from last year,”” said physiology junior Jaclyn Robinson, co-director of the committee.
The committee’s main projects for the year include vaccinating homeless and underserved people against influenza, training resident assistants in CPR and creating a tobacco-free Arizona Health Sciences Center.
“”This is all new stuff. This has never happened before,”” said Emile Gordon, co-director of Student Health Advisory Committee and a junior majoring in microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, and human physiology and anatomy. “”We have big ambitions.””
Committee members used to stand on the UA Mall and pass out information, their focus is now on projects with tangible results.
“”We’re becoming a lot more policy-focused and pragmatic,”” Gordon said. “”It’s completely different now.””
The committee has several new initiatives where students receive direct training or education in specific areas.
“”Last year it was more awareness than prevention,”” said biology sophomore and committee member Alex Ghaffari. “”(Now) it’s getting (students) more involved in the school and aware of what’s going on.””
The committee is funded by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona and partners with various colleges and services on campus. Members are advised by health professionals at Campus Health Service.
“”We support them in those efforts and actually collaborate with them,”” said David Salafsky, director of health promotion and preventive services at Campus Health Service.
Salafsky said the Student Health Advisory Committee has an important role in educating students on health issues.
“”Nobody knows better how to do that than other students, their peers,”” Salafsky said.
The committee focuses on changing the health problems witnessed on campus.
“”We’re young enough that we can get healthy for life,”” Robinson said. “”We just want to apply everything we’re doing to students and the community.””
