As the 15th-century historian Thomas Fuller once said: “Health is not valued till sickness comes.”
That’s why students at Georgia College & State University’s Center for Health & Social Issues (CHSI) intertwine health screenings with other attractions like fun and food.
Public health majors and student nurses gather wherever the populace is likely to be found. At monthly food drives, neighborhood meetings or holiday gatherings—they can be seen chatting and laughing with residents; giving finger prick tests for diabetes; tightening blood pressure cuffs around residents’ arms and handing out health materials.
“We try to meet the public on their terms and on their turf, and people are just blown away by these events,” said Dr. Damian Francis, epidemiologist, assistant professor of public health and director of CHSI.
“Our success in a community depends on community buy-in and whether residents really support what you’re doing,” he said. “That’s why we go into the community often. Residents see us, and they know we’re committed to them and to their health.”
Since taking over the center in 2020, Francis has led more than 60 Georgia College students in conducting health screenings. In that time, they’ve assisted more than 1,000 residents in Baldwin County and more than 200 in Hancock, Houston and Macon-Bibb counties.
Their major function is operating a pop-up health clinic and assisting with a drive-thru food distribution, occurring the third Wednesday of each month at the Collins P. Lee Community Center on Harrisburg Road, Milledgeville. The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank provides a truckful of fresh and canned foods. Items are boxed and handed to residents who line up early outside in their cars—as many as 300 a month—for the 10 a.m. event. Local churches and Habitat for Humanity also provide free clothing onsite when available.
While residents wait, they're greeted by students who conduct health screens and pass out information sheets. Each month, they focus on a different health topic like heart disease, obesity or Alzheimer’s and refer people without doctors to clinics.
On a hot day recently, about eight nursing students darted car-to-car offering services and talking about prostate cancer. About half the residents agreed to have their blood pressure checked and fingers pricked for diabetes.
Dr. Talecia Warren, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, often accompanies her nurses to the monthly food drive. Being in the community is different from hospital settings, allowing students to meet residents on a more personal level and keep track of their progress.
“Getting to see patients that I have not seen outside the hospital and to see them out in the community doing well— that feels good,” Warren said. “The best feeling in the world is knowing that you actually made a difference.”
In addition to the monthly food drive, about 10 public health students plan and promote other monthly events. These include health screenings and education in various neighborhoods, on campus and in Baldwin County, Macon, Houston and Sparta. Sometimes, flu or COVID-19 vaccine shots are available.
Last month, CHSI held a mental illness awareness day at the Wellness Center on West Campus called “Rocking with Mental Illness.” Participants destressed by painting rocks.
Senior Avery Urban of Atlanta enjoys socializing at these events.
“It definitely feels good to help people,” Urban said. “This school offers a lot of different options to go into the community and do that. It’s nice to be able to give back to a place that’s given us so much.” - Contributed