This document outlines a Health Literacy Month program at a university to educate students about nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle through a series of weekly events. The month-long program consists of seminars, presentations, tours, and a health literacy fair to help students learn about health resources and develop skills to make informed health decisions. Students can register for the program for $5 to attend biweekly meetings and access daily blog posts on that week's health topic.

1. HEALTH LITERACY
MONTH
October 2013: Health Awareness Month
Higher Education Academic Librarians Teaching Health
H.E.A.L.T.H.

2. WHY KNOW HEALTH?
• According to the American
Association (2004), 9 of 10 adults
have difficulty using everyday health
information.
• 90 million Americans do not have the
skills to know health information
(Weiss, 2003).
• Health literacy is a better predictor of
health than age, income,
employment, ethnicity, or education.
• A survey by University of Minnesota
Boynton Health Service: 29%
surveyed at U of M – Twin Cities
classified as overweight or obese.
• The Center for Disease Control(2012)
has found binge drinking increases
the likelihood of multiple forms of
violence, automobile accidents,
pregnancy, and occurrence of
sexually transmitted diseases.

3. WHAT’S THE POINT?
 To educate and stimulate interest in the
subjects of:
 Nutrition
 Exercise
 Healthy and Unhealthy Habits
 Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle

4. WHAT DO YOU GET?
 More energy
 Feel better physically
 Be able to do better in class
 Better control weight
 Improve poor health

5. HOW WILL I KNOW I LEARNED?
 After participating in
Health Literacy Month,
you will be able to:
 Utilize health resources
both on and off campus;
 Identify reliable health
information;
 Engage in prevention,
self-care, and self-
management measures.

6. WHAT’S HAPPENING ON
CAMPUS?
 Semi-weekly meetings
and events
 Available to the first 200
students to register
 Campus expert –
knowledgeable staff or
faculty member
 Daily blog posts
 Open to everyone
 Postings on the weekly
topic from experts at
our university

7. Week 1: Nutrition Event Presentation: Different Diets
October 1-6 Tuesday/Thursday Healthy Eating in College: Sample
healthy alternatives in the cafeteria.
Cafeteria
10: 00 am
4:00 pm
Week 2: Exercise Event Tour of the University Gymnasium
October 7-13 Monday/Wednesday Personal Trainer Demonstration
Wellness Center
Week 3: Habits Event Presentation: Learn about University
Health Resources and Meet School
October 14-20 Tuesday/Thursday
Health Professionals
University Ballrooms
Week 4: Maintaining a Event Presentation: Stress Management
Healthy Lifestyle Monday/Wednesday
October 21-27 Counseling Center
Week 5: Health Literacy Event Health Literacy Fair
October 28-31 Thursday October 31
First Floor Library Commons

8. HOW DO I SIGN UP?
 Be among the first 200 to sign up!
 Register on the library website’s main page.
 Registration only $5!
 Sign up before September 20!

9. WHERE CAN I FIND MORE?
 WebMD – www.webmd.com Facts Resources
American Medical Association. (2004).
 Harvard Medical School – Health Literacy. AMA-MSS Community
Service Committee. http://www.ama-
www.health.harvard.edu assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-
people/member-groups-sections/medical-
student-section/community -service/health-
 Health Literacy Month – literacy.page.
www.healthliteracymonth.org Weiss, B.D. (2003). Health Literacy: A
Manual for Clinicians. American Medical
Association/American Medical Association
 5 Danger Zones of College Nutrition Foundation,
– http://www.ncladvacacy.org/
http://sites.ewu.edu/goodchioces/2 University of Minnesota. (2007, November
012/01/25/the-5-danger-zones-of- 16). Report on Health and Habits of College
Students Released. Science Dailey.
college-student-nutrition/ Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200
7/11/071115125827.htm.
 Quick Guide to Health Literacy – CDC Office of Women’s Health. (2012).
www.health.gov/communication/lite Health and Safety for College Students.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
racy/quickguide/factsbasic.htm Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/features/collegehealth
/.