Press Releases
Year
CUPHD Partners with Local Junior High to Teach Young Women to “Bone Up”!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5 2009
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916
Stephanie Beneker, PE/Health Instructor, J.W. Eater Junior High School
(217) 892-2115
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Partners with Local Junior High to Teach Young Women to “Bone Up”!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with J.W. Eater Junior High to Educate Young Women on the Importance of Osteoporosis Prevention.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has partnered with the J.W. Eater Junior High to educate teenage girls on the importance of Osteoporosis prevention. This 3-session educational program offered during PE class consists of a series of fun-filled activities that encourage the teens to take small steps to make a big difference in the health of their bones. J.W. Eater currently has 207 teens participating in the “Bone Up” – Osteoporosis Prevention Program for Teens.
“The girls have really enjoyed learning about Osteoporosis, even though they struggle to pronounce the word!” said Stephanie Beneker, PE/Health Instructor for J.W. Eater Junior High School. “One student mentioned how she went home after school and drank two glasses of milk so she could take care of her bones. Overall, the students have enjoyed learning about osteoporosis and now have a better understanding on how to take care of their bodies.”
Through “Bone Up” the teens discover:
- Why calcium is so important in their teens
- Ways for “Calcium on the go”
- Talk about caffeine
- Learn how to build bones
- MUCH MORE!
The girls participating in the “Bone Up” program learn to make and enjoy calcium-rich snacks, as well as participating in different exercises that build bone mass. Most importantly, participants are directly motivated to make changes through interactive exercises designed to encourage girls to really start caring about bone health.
“While osteoporosis usually doesn’t happen until we are older, the prevention of osteoporosis has to happen when girls are in their teens and 20’s” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for Wellness and promotion at CUPHD. “People build bones in their teens and 20’s, and reach peak bone mass by age 30. It’s important for young women to know what they need to do now to prevent bone loss later. That includes increasing calcium intake, decreasing caffeine intake, and increasing weight bearing exercise.”
On the last day of the current program at J.W. Eater Junior High, February 10, 2009, the girls will receive their official “milk mustache” pictures. Each girl will be encouraged to design a poster with their picture commemorating their program experience. Program instructors will also check the girls’ individual calcium and fitness diaries and conduct a follow-up survey.
“We absolutely love working with the staff and students at J.W.Eater,” said Trisha Gillespie, Health Educator at CUPHD. “We are sad that the last day is coming so soon, but we hope we’ve given the girls what they need to build strong bones now to prevent osteoporosis later.”
Osteoporosis or porous bone is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. About 85-90% of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can help to prevent osteoporosis later in life. 80% of those affected by osteoporosis are women. It is estimated that over eight million women in the United States today have osteoporosis.
CUPHD is currently partnering with other local educational institutions including Centennial, Urbana Middle School: SPLASH (after school program), and Thomasboro. CUPHD can bring the “Bone Up” program to any school or church in Champaign County. Interested organizations should contact Nikki Hillier at 217.531.2914 or
For more information about “Bone UP” – Osteoporosis Prevention Program For Teens, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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CUPHD Partners with Local Junior High to Teach Young Women to “Bone Up”!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5 2009
Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916
Stephanie Beneker, PE/Health Instructor, J.W. Eater Junior High School
(217) 892-2115
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
CUPHD Partners with Local Junior High to Teach Young Women to “Bone Up”!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with J.W. Eater Junior High to Educate Young Women on the Importance of Osteoporosis Prevention.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has partnered with the J.W. Eater Junior High to educate teenage girls on the importance of Osteoporosis prevention. This 3-session educational program offered during PE class consists of a series of fun-filled activities that encourage the teens to take small steps to make a big difference in the health of their bones. J.W. Eater currently has 207 teens participating in the “Bone Up” – Osteoporosis Prevention Program for Teens.
“The girls have really enjoyed learning about Osteoporosis, even though they struggle to pronounce the word!” said Stephanie Beneker, PE/Health Instructor for J.W. Eater Junior High School. “One student mentioned how she went home after school and drank two glasses of milk so she could take care of her bones. Overall, the students have enjoyed learning about osteoporosis and now have a better understanding on how to take care of their bodies.”
Through “Bone Up” the teens discover:
- Why calcium is so important in their teens
- Ways for “Calcium on the go”
- Talk about caffeine
- Learn how to build bones
- MUCH MORE!
The girls participating in the “Bone Up” program learn to make and enjoy calcium-rich snacks, as well as participating in different exercises that build bone mass. Most importantly, participants are directly motivated to make changes through interactive exercises designed to encourage girls to really start caring about bone health.
“While osteoporosis usually doesn’t happen until we are older, the prevention of osteoporosis has to happen when girls are in their teens and 20’s” said Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator for Wellness and promotion at CUPHD. “People build bones in their teens and 20’s, and reach peak bone mass by age 30. It’s important for young women to know what they need to do now to prevent bone loss later. That includes increasing calcium intake, decreasing caffeine intake, and increasing weight bearing exercise.”
On the last day of the current program at J.W. Eater Junior High, February 10, 2009, the girls will receive their official “milk mustache” pictures. Each girl will be encouraged to design a poster with their picture commemorating their program experience. Program instructors will also check the girls’ individual calcium and fitness diaries and conduct a follow-up survey.
“We absolutely love working with the staff and students at J.W.Eater,” said Trisha Gillespie, Health Educator at CUPHD. “We are sad that the last day is coming so soon, but we hope we’ve given the girls what they need to build strong bones now to prevent osteoporosis later.”
Osteoporosis or porous bone is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. About 85-90% of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can help to prevent osteoporosis later in life. 80% of those affected by osteoporosis are women. It is estimated that over eight million women in the United States today have osteoporosis.
CUPHD is currently partnering with other local educational institutions including Centennial, Urbana Middle School: SPLASH (after school program), and Thomasboro. CUPHD can bring the “Bone Up” program to any school or church in Champaign County. Interested organizations should contact Nikki Hillier at 217.531.2914 or
For more information about “Bone UP” – Osteoporosis Prevention Program For Teens, or any other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Local Partnership to “Give Kids a Smile” by Offering FREE School Dental Exams for Illinois Children!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2009
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Nancy Greenwalt, Executive Director, SmileHealthy
(217) 390-5365
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Local Partnership to “Give Kids a Smile” by Offering FREE School Dental Exams for Illinois Children!
SmileHealthy, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, and Illini District Dental Society to provide a FREE Oral Health Fair at Marketplace Mall.
Champaign, IL – On Saturday, February 7, 2009, SmileHealthy, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), and Illini District Dental Society will be providing FREE School Dental Exams by local volunteer dentists for Illinois school children at the Marketplace Mall in Champaign. These exams will be available from 10:00am – 4:00pm in the Marketplace Mall by Macy’s.
The simple 5 minute exam will be available for all children ages 3-17. This exam can be used to satisfy the State of Illinois mandated exam, due by May 15, 2009, required for all children in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th. Children identified with dental issues will be referred to SmileHealthy, the CUPHD Dental Division, other partnering agencies, or their personal dentist for appropriate treatment. All participating children will receive a free dental care kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child.
The Oral Health Fair will feature a variety of free interactive activities for participants including:
- Delta Dental Tooth Wizard Shows (11:00am & 2:00pm)
- Dental Hygiene Counseling
- Face Painting
- The Tooth Fairy
- Healthy Food Bingo
- Dental Care Kits
- Infant Finger Toothbrushes
- Coloring Contest
- Nutrition Counseling
- All Kids Information and Application Assistance
- MUCH MORE!!!
"We expect to provide 200 dental exams at the event, but what is most exciting is the opportunity to get families set up with a dental home with our private practice dentists, CUPHD's Dental Program and SmileHealthy,” said Nancy Greenwalt, Executive Director for SmileHealthy. "I encourage people to come by even if you don't need an exam. It will be a chance to ask a registered hygienist that nagging question or participate in healthy food bingo or any of a number of activities. There will be lots to do and it is all free."
SmileHealthy is a local non profit that provides dental care for underserved Champaign County children for the County Health Department, for Head Start enrolled children and their families, and mobile dental clinics at Champaign county schools. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 217-359-7404 or visit www.smilehealthy.org.
“Basic Dental Care is an important part of a child’s overall health care. All children deserve the opportunity to receive regular, preventative dental care and restorative dental care when needed. No child should have to suffer with tooth pain,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “All Kids provides all children with dental care coverage regardless of their household income and is accepted at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for children age 3-18 living in Champaign or Urbana and still attending public school. Families interested in All Kids can begin an application at this event and complete the application process with assistance at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District”.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers general dental treatment at their 201 West Kenyon Road location in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School.
Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220. Mobile preventative dental clinics are also provided at all Champaign and Urbana public elementary and middle schools.
For more information about the Give Kids a Smile Oral Health Fair, please contact SmileHealthy at 217-359-7404 or on the web at www.smilehealthy.org. Additional information may be obtained by contacting CUPHD at 217-352-7961 or on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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