College of Nursing uses "March madness" to promote healthy living among central Ohio families
WHAT: The March Madness for Health and Wellness Expo is an annual event aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviors among urban-area residents of the Near East Side neighborhood of Columbus. The event will feature free health exams performed by The Ohio State University Colleges of Nursing, Dentistry and Optometry, as well as educational information, cooking demonstrations, local celebrity appearances, free giveaways and more.
WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHO: Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Nursing and Making a Difference, Inc. Special appearances will be made by Brutus and the Ohio State Cheerleaders (noon to 1 p.m.).
WHY: According to Columbus Public Health statistics, African-American residents of Franklin County, Ohio, are 2.6 times more likely to die from diabetes and hypertension, and stroke mortality rates are 2.7 times higher than that of white residents. The March Madness Health and Wellness Expo is part of a larger initiative called “Making a Difference: Health and Wellness One Street at a Time,” a joint effort between the College of Nursing and Making a Difference, Inc. The program aims to address health disparities by providing health education and screenings to residents of the Mount Vernon community – a population most affected by chronic conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and depression.
WHERE: Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA, 130 Woodland Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43203
