Health and Wellness

William Brandon, the Metrolina Medical Foundation Distinguished Professor of Public Policy in Health at UNC Charlotte, will be among the panelists for “Healthcare for All – Can We Make it Happen?” This discussion will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd.

UNC Charlotte has created an on-campus food pantry, located in the Colvard Building, Room 3135, to benefit off-campus students who may have need. A recent national study showed an unexpectedly large number of college students are unable to find or afford nutritious food.

“As a University, we are deeply committed to fostering the best education possible, and that starts with making sure our students are eating nutritious meals consistently,” said Sean Langley, food pantry program co-founder and assistant director of off-campus and volunteer outreach.

The Center for Wellness Promotion (CWP) will host its annual OctSober Fest from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Student Health Center Multipurpose Room.

OctSober Fest, in its seventh year, is a carnival-style program that educates students on the risks and realities of alcohol consumption. The event kick offs National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW); UNC Charlotte’s Center for Wellness Promotion joins 1,000-plus colleges and universities in alcohol prevention efforts on campuses nationwide.

The Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Employee Health and Wellness is sponsoring the lunch and learn program “How to Deal with a Difficult Person” at noon, Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Student Union, Room 200.
Interactions with difficult people can affect confidence, mood, focus and productivity. Learn how to recognize and cope with common difficult behaviors to make encounters more manageable. Register to attend online; for more information, visit yourhealth.charlotte.edu.

The 2014 Miles to Wellness Pedometer Challenge will begin on Monday, Sept. 22. Sponsored by the Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Health and Wellness (ACCEHW), this event is open to all faculty and staff.
Individuals or teams can participate in this eight-week challenge; signups are through Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Throughout this month, the Venture program is conducting a number of outdoor adventure trips open to the UNC Charlotte and greater communities. Participants can enjoy excursions that range from canoeing to hiking.  Experience is not required, and instruction is provided to prepare for trip activities.
Venture trips scheduled for September are:
Stone Mountain Waterfall Day Hike, Sept. 14

UNC Charlotte students will have the chance to win prizes and gift cards from IKEA Charlotte – after they answer trivia questions about mental health, substance abuse, stress management and other topics related to their mental and physical health.

Register for the next offering of Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less that begins on Monday, Sept. 8.
The 15-week weight-management program Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less was developed by health experts, and it is open to State Health Plan members who can participate for $30 with a $25 refund for those who attend 10 of the 15 sessions.
The course fee must be paid at the first session. Fifteen registrants are needed to form a class. Tina Mendieta from the Mecklenburg County Health Department will lead the program, which will meet at noon in Colvard Building, Room 5092.

Summer is under way, and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety reminds employees to be aware of heat-related illness.
According to officials, extremely hot weather can cause serious health effects, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may lead to death. People who work outdoors in extreme heat are more likely to become dehydrated and are at increased risk to suffer heat-related illness.
Some tips to beat the heat include:

Whether looking for a walk in the woods or some fun on a lake, UNC Charlotte’s Venture outdoor education program has the right summer trip. Led by experienced outdoor facilitators, Venture trips are open to UNC Charlotte students, faculty, staff and the general public.
All trips require a mandatory pre-trip meeting to review the itinerary, safety precautions and for participants to meet their companions.  Typically, all equipment and transportation are provided by Venture.
SUMMER 2014 TRIPS