Even College Students Aren’t Built for Heavy Backpacks
Statistics for backpack injuries of college-aged students are as alarming as any other. A 2007 Indiana University survey shows that more than 55 percent of college-aged respondents reported pain resulting from carrying their bags. Despite this, it seems as if the vast majority of backpack safety programs, articles, and press releases address the K-12 demographic. Although it is true that younger students (whose spines are still developing) are more likely to suffer a permanent injury, the dangers of overloaded bags are still very real to those in higher education. READ MORE.

A Guide to Awareness And Prevention of Cervical Cancer
For many female college students, the last thing on their minds is getting cervical cancer.  After all, a sexually transmitted disease causes cervical cancer so only promiscuous women are diagnosed, right? Wrong.  The facts can be misleading.  This is why it’s so important to educate women on college campuses about the risks and preventative measures of cervical cancer before it’s too late.  READ MORE.

Social Smoking:  Kick This Habit in the Butt
It’s common knowledge that smoking is an extremely harmful and addictive habit. Leukemia, cataracts and pneumonia as well as cancers of the pancreas, cervix and kidneys are just a few of the unpleasant side effects of inhaling toxic carcinogens and poisonous chemicals. So just how often do people have to light up to put themselves at risk for the array of health problems we’ve all been warned about? The answer is not as often as tobacco companies would like to us to believe. READ MORE.

Caffeine: The Campus Drug
When preparing for an exam or attempting to recover from an all-nighter, students tend to reach for a large cup of coffee or a can of their favorite energy drink. Almost ritualistic, the ingestion of large amounts of caffeine has been part of the campus culture for as long as anyone can remember. Unfortunately, for every latte, can of soda, and energy drink that is made available to our nation’s students, there is a severe lack of education about the dangers of caffeine and the resulting addiction. READ MORE.

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Student Health Insurance Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 1

Mandatory Health Insurance: Working Through the Process
As health insurance costs rise, universities across America are searching for affordable ways to help students obtain medical insurance. Nearly half of all college students are uninsured and as that number rises, a financial disaster looms - for both the student and the university. READ MORE.

Don’t Leave Mayo Out Overnight and Other Tips for Food Safety
For a college student, living away from home can be an exciting and sometimes scary experience. For many, it is the first time they have had to do everything for themselves, which can bring about a host of opportunities to learn from their own mistakes. READ MORE.

Suicide on Campus
Although movies like Animal House would have you believe otherwise, many college students are not as happy and carefree as portrayed. In fact, many students suffer from extreme amounts of stress, homesickness and depression during their college years. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among college campuses. According to the National Institute of Health, suicide claims about 1,100 student lives each year. In order to address this recent epidemic, campus health officials need to understand causes of depression, recognize symptoms and provide a comfortable environment to promote mental health. READ MORE.

Helping Students Avoid The Freshman Fifteen
Pizza, wings, fries, cheeseburgers, beer, and soda are just a few things on the typical college students diet. Seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds are on their own for the first time in their lives, which can be particularly stressful. They are faced with choices they have not had to make before. All too often, young adults focus on the obvious choices like what classes to take, and achieving grades and goals, while nutrition takes a back seat. READ MORE.

HIV Does not discriminate. It’s Not Who You Are, but What You Do that Determines Your Outcome
When the term "HIV" is mentioned to college students, they often associate the disease with low socio-economic status, uneducated individuals, poor countries, and homosexuals. The truth is that college students increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or HIV every time they engage in excessive behaviors such as binge drinking and drug use.
READ MORE.