Initiative focuses on improving health of university community

October 20, 2005

Healthy Gators 2010, a campuswide initiative aimed at producing a healthier University of Florida community, will hold its formal kickoff from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Reitz Student Union Colonnade.

Students, faculty and staff will have the chance to learn more about the Healthy Gators initiative, explore the offerings of student organizations and campus departments that have a health-related mission, and receive free health screenings and complimentary merchandise. Flu shots will cost $5 for students and $20 for faculty and staff.

At noon, UF’s First Lady Chris Machen, chairwoman of Healthy Gators 2010, will deliver the kickoff speech. Machen, a former practicing nurse and wife of President Bernie Machen, said her leadership of this effort was natural for her because of her background in health care. She especially likes Healthy Gators’ emphasis on prevention.

“This is a proactive effort — do something now to prevent problems later,” she said.
“Living a long time is only good if we feel good. Also, as adults we can show our children the right way to eat, exercise and avoid unhealthy behaviors.”

In addition to the events at the Reitz Student Union Colonnade, a free stress screening will be held in front of the Student Health Care Center from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a brief questionnaire about anxiety, stress, and depression and talk one-on-one with a mental health provider.

In concert with national programs aimed at improving the health of Americans, the work of Healthy Gators 2010 is being conducted by a coalition of UF departments and organizations concerned about the well-being of all members of the campus community.

Over the course of the multiyear project, the group will conduct comprehensive assessments of campus health and subsequently will design, implement and evaluate interventions that will move UF toward “a campus environment supportive of the development and maintenance of a healthy body, mind and spirit for all members of the University of Florida community.”

The work of the coalition is guided by steering committee chairwoman Machen and vice chair Jill Varnes, interim dean of the UF College of Health and Human Performance.

Activities that support Healthy Gators 2010 objectives can be distinguished by a colorful logo and the slogan, “Orange and Blue – A Healthy You.”

Learn more about Healthy Gators 2010 at healthygators.hhp.ufl.edu.