糖心Vlog

糖心Vlog master of public health and doctor of public health students recently partnered with the South Central Health District, the public health authority for 10 counties in middle Georgia, to make getting flu shots a little easier. 鈥淩oll In, Roll Down, Roll Out,鈥� was the slogan for the two inaugural drive-thru flu shot clinics that enabled community members in Wheeler and Treutlen Counties to receive flu shots without leaving their cars. “Drive-thru clinics are important to the community for many different reasons,鈥� noted Jessica Schwind, Ph.D., epidemiology professor in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH). 鈥淭hese clinics encourage community members to get vaccinated against influenza, which is still a major cause of sickness and death in the winter across the U.S. Additionally, it serves as an emergency preparedness exercise for community members in case the health district needs to rapidly dispense immunizations or medications. Should a public health emergency arise, an informed community is an empowered community.” Students in a social epidemiology course earned credit hours for participation and created a proposal for the successful development, implementation and evaluation of drive-thru flu clinics. They also learned valuable lessons in public health initiatives, as South Central Health District鈥檚 Jodi Bazemore spoke to students about preparing communities for emergency pandemics. 鈥淧articipating in the Wheeler County drive-thru clinic opened my eyes to the importance of such clinics in rural counties,鈥� stated doctoral student Brian Buck, who hopes to continue research on these clinics in the future. 鈥淚t not only helps in developing these important relationships between the community and healthcare providers, but it also provides much-needed access to influenza vaccinations in underserved rural counties.” The mission of JPHCOPH is to improve health, eliminate health disparities and health inequities of rural communities and underserved populations globally through excellence in teaching, public health workforce development, research, scholarship, professional service and community engagement. Georgia聽Southern聽University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast聽Georgia, the聽University聽provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities.聽Georgia Southern聽creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit聽.