Media Alert
SPELMAN COMMUNITY DETERMINED TO ‘BEAT THE BUG’ THIS COLD AND FLU SEASON
ATLANTA (Oct. 7, 2008) During the 2007-2008 academic year, approximately 15 percent of Spelman’s student population was treated for cold and flu symptoms. Spelman’s Student Health Associates and Peer Educators are working to lower that number by educating the campus community on ways to stay healthy this cold and flu season. Opting to take an unconventional approach, the group will share effective germ-fighting techniques in a fun and lively environment during its “Beat the Bug” fair. The event will include flu vaccinations, contests, and free give-aways and will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spelman.
The cold and flu season starts to peak in November and continues to peak through April. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that approximately five to 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu during flu season, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized due to flu-related complications each year. Because the virus can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, the CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the disease.
“Traditional campus life, such as that at Spelman College, usually means students, faculty and staff living and interacting in very close proximity,” said Brenda Dalton, director of Student Health Services at Spelman. “Because the influenza virus is spread primarily through person-to-person contact, this fair will serve two purposes, to educate the community on ways to prevent spreading the germ and to provide them with the best defense against the virus, the flu vaccination.”
Along with germ-fighting demonstrations, attendees will be able to create video reports and share their worst “bug” stories on the “Beat the Bug” MySpace and FaceBook pages. There will also be interactive, educational tables designed by Spelman student organizations participating in a table decorating contest, with a cash prize of $300 for the winning organization.
“SHAPE is excited about building on its mission to educate African Americans on important health issues through the ‘Beat the Bug’ fair,” said Chaturia Rouse, C'2009, president of SHAPE. “We hope attendees will use this event to learn techniques that they can incorporate into their daily routine to promote maximum health.”
Spelman launched its “Beat the Bug” campaign in 2007 to generate awareness of healthy cold and flu prevention habits as well as to facilitate active prevention through change in personal behavior. The College used MySpace, FaceBook and other marketing techniques to connect with and inform the campus community.
The “Beat the Bug” fair will take place in Upper Manley Concourse. Flu vaccinations are available for $20 for faculty and staff, and free for students. The fair is free and open to the public.
To learn more about germ prevention, visit myspace or go to Facebook and search "beathebug."
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Spelman College:
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is the only historically Black college in
the nation to be included on the U.S. News and World Report's list of top
75 "Best Liberal Arts Colleges — Undergraduate," 2005. Located in Atlanta,
Ga., this private, historically Black women's college boasts outstanding
alumnae, including Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman;
U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis; authors Tina McElroy Ansa and
Pearl Cleage and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the
full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees and the
student-faculty ratio is 12:1. Annually, nearly one-third of Spelman
students receive degrees in the sciences. The students number more than
2,186 and represent 43 states and 34 foreign countries. For more
information regarding Spelman College, visit: www.spelman.edu.
