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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ron Kirk, MA, DC, College of Chiropractic, Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060, 770-426-2709, rkirk@life.edu

Objective: To organize, launch and evaluate a children's health promotion educational initiative known as “Cobb Kids Straighten Up”, beginning during National Public Health Week 2006. Methods: A college faculty work group was assembled to organize a children's community health promotion educational outreach. The work group appointed a project coordinator and developed and refined a plan to educate local disadvantaged grade school children in spinal health exercises. The plan was approved by the Provost's Council. Key faculty members interested in the outreach were identified and trained in exercise demonstration techniques. College assemblies were used to recruit interested students, who were trained in educational techniques. Local school principals and teachers were contacted to attain agreement to participate in the initiative. Results: “Cobb Kids Straighten Up” will be launched in early April in conjunction with National Public Health Week. Interested college faculty members and students have been trained in Straighten Up postural exercises and demonstration techniques. A number of area school principals and teachers have agreed to participate in “Cobb Kids Straighten Up”. Enthusiasm for the outreach appears to be high based on the large number of college students, who have volunteered to get involved. Conclusions: Straighten Up continues to build momentum as a health promotion initiative for the chiropractic profession. It appears to pair well with other national public health initiatives. A number of colleges and state chiropractic associations are organizing and implementing community educational outreaches to educate local school children in daily spinal health exercises for quality of life improvement.

Learning Objectives: Attendees at this session will be able to

• List 2 keys to organizing a successful public health educational outreach.
• List the 2 major forms of assessment utilized to measure student and faculty satisfaction with involvement in the educational outreach.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Wellness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation