ASUW SHC

Student Health Consortium

I know what you’re thinking. We are into the seventh week of spring quarter, midterms are starting to wrap up, and as the weather hints at sunshine, your thoughts spiral away from that last homework problem and toward much more important matters (See previous SHC blog posts, entitled It’s Spring, UW! and Super Foods to the Rescue).

But wait! If you can manage to draw your mind back from daydreams of kayak races through Union Lake or Yogurtland trips that include commandeering perhaps a few too many of those fun, little sample cups, you would know that something important is occurring in our present time.

This week is Global Health Week!

Organized by UW’s Global Health Resource Center, Global Health Week offers over two GH-related events daily and runs between May 7^th and May 11^th.

Upcoming events include a Career Fair, focusing on “Futures in Global Health,” and taking place in Mary Gates Commons between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on May 9^th. If you’re looking for more information on global health careers and organizations that work on improving health worldwide, this is the place to gain valuable information.

On Thursday, May 10^th, Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta will be lecturing on “Social Determinants and the Impact of Community Based Approaches on Maternal and Newborn Health” between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Foege Building Auditorium, S-060. This event is followed by a reception in the Vista Café from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Bhutta is Professor and Head of the Division of Maternal and Child Health at Aga Khan University Medical Center in Karachi, Pakistan. His research interests extend from maternal and child health to micronutrient malnutrition and community based prenatal care.

Now for those of you who work into the evenings or tend to schedule your classes between the hours of noon and 6 p.m., don’t worry! Events held in the evening, such as the film screening, “We Were Here,” will fit perfectly with your schedule.

The documentary is being shown between 7 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Foege Building Auditorium, S-060. This film focuses on arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.

This event is sponsored by UW/FHCRC Center for AIDS Research, UW Q Center, UW Women’s Center, and the UW GHRC.

These are only three of the upcoming events. For a full list of events, visit the links below!

http://globalhealth.washington.edu/global-health-week-2012

https://www.facebook.com/UWGlobalHealthWeek

By: MS

The list below outlines the ideals of Health Leaders at the UW created Spring 2012.  This list serves as a collective mission statement for our respective organizations and as a community on campus and worldwide:

• Prioritize Collaboration
• Engage in Social Connection
• Reach out to Community Organizations
• Promote Education and Advocacy
• Provide Health Training
• Encourage Service Learning
• Discuss Health Care Issues
• Provide Mentoring
• Create Focus Groups for Active Discussion
• Reach out to all Majors and Departments
• Pursue Student Interests
• Create Ethical, Self-reflective, and Sustainable Interventions
• Prioritize Whole Body and Community Health
• Engage all of our Members to Develop Creative Programs

Questions about the mission statement? Email asuwshc@uw.edu to find out how you can create programs that meet our mission statement.

This list was created at the Health Leaders Training May 5, 2012 by forty members of the Health Leaders Community from more than 10 organizations.

Improve collaboration by joining the health leaders listserv: https://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/uwhealthleaders and

Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255229957857912/

While alcohol abuse and binge drinking may be the top items of substance abuse, the use of prescription drugs such as stimulants, sedatives, and pain relievers, is still a growing problem because of the easy access to these medications.

The most common medication used by 90% of college students is Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy and highly addictive. College students take this medication because it helps them focus and pull all-nighters. However, research shows that while Adderall helps students focus, it can also hinder other cognitive skills. The addiction of Adderall can lead to further health problems.

Did you know while most college students use prescription drugs properly, about 1 in 4 people in ages 18-20 report using these medications non-medically at least once in their lifetime?

Research shows that students who take prescription drugs for non-medical reasons are at least 5 times more likely to develop a drug abuse problem than those who don’t.

College students misuse prescription stimulants as a “study aid” to reduce stress and anxiety, increase their energy, improve concentration, and pull all nighters.

Many students may not even know that their roommate, teammate or friend is abusing these medications. Taking these medications in the wrong way or without a prescription can put their own lives at risk.

The risk of abusing prescription medications can lead to increases in blood pressure or heart rate, addiction, heart attack, organ damage, seizures, heart attack, stroke, overdose, and even death.

If you know someone who is using drugs incorrectly or see signs of increase medication use, use of medication obsessively, or inability to carry out normal tasks, then GET HELP.

We have resources nearby on campus for getting help to recover such health professionals at the UW Hall health mental clinic, counselors at the counselor center UW student Life, or even talking to friends and family for support can help toward making lifestyle changes to quit drug abuse.

By: Yen Truong

We all hear about stress. More so we have all felt it!

As college students, stress plagues our everyday. If you aren’t stressed out about the upcoming exam, you are stressed about the idea of not being stressed out…really it’s a vicious cycle. If it becomes chronic, stress may lead to many clinical issues such as metabolic syndrome, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep. How do we honor National Stress Awareness Day (April 16)?

10 Methods to lower stress & a happier you:

• Meditate. While this method does the trick or so many health professionals recommend. I am less convinced that it is the only method, which is why I’ve listed 9 more!

• Exercise. Just 20 minutes a day! This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym (IMA) or even jog. Grab a friend    do yoga, play in the park, or even jump on a trampoline.  Release endorphins in the brain to feel the sense of well-being. BE ACTIVE!

• Free events! Why not? Everyone loves FREE STUFF especially when you’re a certified college student, find one on campus! Why not check out HuskyFest this week?

• Bubble bath…yeah yeah, so you don’t have the bubble bath essentials then hit up the sauna in the IMA that’s free for all current UW students. While you’re there might as well workout.

• SEX…but do it safely. Don’t want the possibilities of contracting STD/STIs or having an unwanted pregnancy lead you right back to stress. Other than that having sex releases endorphins along with that extra tension. What’s an inexpensive way to play it safe (when you aren’t planning for a pregnancy)?

• Sing or make a sound paired with your favorite move. This releases tension and only takes a minute tops unless you make it elaborate

• Check out: http://cuteoverload.com/ , www.youtube.com, Buzzfeed, and Reddit for that daily dose of laughter! Laughter releases endorphins in your brain (creating a sense of euphoria/happiness) in addition to lowering blood pressure.

• Go cloud watching. Take a moment to slow down during your busy week schedule and enjoy the wonders of nature.

• Pet some dogs May 9^th on Red Square! SHC will be collaborating with UHELP for Health Wellness Day.

• Eat foods rich in vitamin B rather than reaching for the sweet stuff. Clams, lentils, chickpeas, almonds, broccoli, fish, and quinoa are just some of the foods high in vitamin B which help put you in a calm state reducing stress and improving your mood by producing serotonin.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can de-stress.What might work for someone else might not do it for you, so find something that helps you. Leave us a comment on how you combat stress!

The cherry blossoms may be in bloom, but Seattle’s still stuck in its winter gloom. If you have yet to emerge from your bear-like hibernation and are getting tired of those sugar-laden baked goods (I’m looking at you, banana bread), perhaps a new type of dessert is in order. Incorporating so-called super foods into your diet may be the best way of boosting your energy in anticipation of a new season and a new quarter. All of foods featured in these recipes are packed with nutrients and make for a healthy and unique way to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Oatmeal-Raisin Cookie Larabars

With high antioxidant levels, lots of vitamin E, and healthy fats, walnuts make an excellent addition to your diet. When combined with high-fiber oatmeal, a potent snack is created.

Makes 3 bars

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 6 T quick oats
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Pulverize the oats in a food processor, then add all other ingredients and blend very well. Form into balls or bars. (If you want, you can portion the dough into plastic bags before smushing the bars, so your hands don’t get sticky.)

Blueberry Pie Pancakes

The anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries make them wonderful preventers of cancer and heart disease. Is there a better way to start the day? I think not.

Serves 1

• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/3 cup flour (ww pastry, white, spelt, Bob’s gluten-free, etc.)
• 2 T rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2/3 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 T sugar or 1 packet stevia (omit if you don’t want sweet pancakes)
• 1/3 cup milk of choice
• Unless you like the taste of fat-free pancakes, add 1 T oil and reduce milk by that amount.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, then add wet. Mix, but don’t overmix. Cook on an oiled (or sprayed) pan, on low-medium, flipping each pancake once.

Spinach Ice Cream

Don’t be frightened by the idea: the flavor of the spinach is easily masked by the strong taste of mint. Plus, adding spinach to ice cream turns a normally rich dessert into a dish containing the green’s laundry list of nutrients: carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamin K, and more.

• 2 frozen bananas, as ripe as possible
• 2-3 drops pure peppermint extract
• scant 1/16th tsp salt
• 1/4 cup or more frozen spinach (I used 40g) (If you don’t like spinach, you can sub food coloring or omit completely.)
• scant 2T non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
• chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Blend everything together in a blender. Use an ice-cream scoop for authentic-looking ice cream.

Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Don’t think that avocados are only fitting for guacamole. Filled with healthy fats, they make excellent bases for a rich chocolate mousse.

Serves 1

• 1 ripe avocado, skin and pit removed
• 3 1/2 tablespoons dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 3 1/2 tablespoons honey

Combine in food processor.

Source: Chocolate Covered Katie

Thank you EveryBODY for making our fifth annual show a huge success!

We had over 150 student models, 15 retailers, four poets, a dance performance by Hip Hop Student Association, and 600 attendees!!! Thank you for supporting positive body image.

This year we added two elements for the audience, the photo booth and take-home magnets to spread the positive body image with the message, “I love my body because…”

Take a look at all the pics on our FB page, and check out the article in the Daily: http://dailyuw.com/news/2012/feb/23/everybody-included/

A HUGE shout out to our Supermodels this year who provided extra inspiration for our message:

Thursday, December 1st, we honored World AIDS Day.  2011 marks 30 years since the AIDS epidemic.  Although we have made encouraging strides in the area of HIV/AIDS, we still have a long, long way to go.  This year’s theme, getting to zero new infection by 2100 is going to take work from all of us.  Listen to the following messages, recorded by ASUW’s Rainy Dawg Radio, for information about preventing HIV and helping us get to zero.

http://www.archive.org/details/WorldAidsDayAnnouncements