Student Activities
Community Health Fairs (Students) 
Since 2001, Old Dominion University students and faculty have reached more than 700 people through nine Community Health Fairs (CHFs) that targeted African Americans, Chinese Americans and Greek Americans in the Hampton Roads Region of Virginia. The results of the evaluations of this service-learning project show that church and community sponsored health fairs are a viable strategy for reaching the medically underserved and contributing to the long-term health needs of the community. The goal of this Community-based Health Fair (CHF) project was to provide community based health education and health screenings to under-served urban minority groups in the Hampton Roads Region of Virginia, as highlighted by Healthy People 2010.
The health fairs are organized using a collaborative model by students from the College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU) in a variety of disciplines. Students from the Urban Health Services Program, School of Nursing, School of Dental Hygiene, and School of Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences were actively involved in these CHFs. The CHF project grew out of a partnership with a local faith-based health promotion program. Each CHF is based in a community setting, such as a church or school. At each CHF, screenings for blood pressure, glucose level, cholesterol level and oral health are available to community members, along with materials on a variety of health topics. Referrals are offered to those whose screening results indicate they need further evaluation. Each health fair is evaluated by asking participants to complete brief surveys designed to determine their views about the CHF and to collect information on their backgrounds and health needs.
CHFs can provide basic health screenings and health education that can appropriately address the needs of underserved populations. Community-based organizations, such as the church or community centers, can serve as a bridge between the underserved and health services. We strive to continue providing comprehensive CHFs to other minority groups in the Hampton Roads Region.
Student National Environmental Health Association
The Student National Environmental Health Association (SNEHA) at Old Dominion University (ODU) is an active and diverse student professional academic club. Our program has been in existence since 1974 with approximately 350 bachelors and 150 masters awarded in the past 31 years. We currently have a robust two-dozen members list during the 2004-2005 school year. Our organizational goal is to promote applicable environmental health science and ongoing research. The group also strives to foster alumni connections for a variety of employment opportunities. This laudable goal is accomplished through the use of guest speakers' presentations, field trips, and participation in professional conferences, such as the semi-annual meeting of the Virginia Environmental Health Association (VEHA) and annual Virginia Environmental Health Association (VEHA). We had guest speakers from NASA-Langley, US Coast Guard-Public Health Service, Virginia Department of Health, and the ODU Career Center during the past 2004-2005 academic year. The ODU-SNEHA Club recently hosted the April 2005 VEHA Conference with an estimated eighty attendees. We are currently making plans to bring about a half-dozen students and faculty to the June 2005 NEHA Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
Our student club firmly believes in community service and making a difference on the university campus. We have participated in the Safe Halloween Party for children in the local Norfolk Community, Fall Homecoming Parade with a creative ice sculpture float, Student Activities Fairs for the Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 in order to promote the environmental health science profession, raised funds for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, and painted a distinct Paw Print as part of a student activities office promotional project.
Finally, SNEHA helps to clean our outdoor environment by maintaining the Eco-Garden at the Ernie Morgan Environmental Education Center at the Norfolk Zoo. We also remove litter from two locations up at least four times a year through the Adopt-a-Spot and Adopt-a-Highway Programs. We also have a REALLY COOL Club T-shirt that we are selling to raise funds for future activities and trips. As you can tell, we are a well-rounded and energetic student organization.
Virginia Environmental Health Association (VEHA)
http://www.veha.org
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
http://www.neha.org/
Student National Environmental Health Association (SNEHA)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNEHA_ODU/
