NSU to host University Health Day | Community Spirit

Northwestern State University is hosting a University Health Day from 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27th at the school's Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center (WRAC). The event is sponsored by the WRAC and the Department of Health and Human Performance. Folks will be able to get free health screenings and information on a number of health topics.

“According to a study released by the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service, health behaviors such as lack of sleep, excessive television and computer screen time, stress, gambling, alcohol and tobacco use and other health-related issues negatively affect college students’ academic achievement,” said Dr. Tara Gallien, associate professor of health and human performance.  According to Gallien, the study’s findings reveal that college students who reported stress, lack of adequate sleep and smoking also said those factors affected their academic performance.

Gallien quoted Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the director and chief health officer of the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service, in agreeing the findings in the study should encourage universities and colleges to pay close attention to the health of their students.

“College students are so important for our economic development -- the development of our society,” Ehlinger wrote. “One way to protect that investment in our future is to help them stay healthy.”

University Health Day is open to Northwestern State students, faculty, staff and WRAC patrons. The first 50 people who arrive at University Health Day between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. will receive a free cholesterol screening conducted by Causey's Pharmacy. All other exhibitors will be available from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  Participants interested in the cholesterol screening should fast for at least eight hours prior to the test.