College students are a diverse yet distinct population with specific health risks and needs. Having current, relevant data about your students’ health can only help you to enhance campus-wide health promotion and prevention services. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the percent of targets achieved for thirty -one objectives from 8 of the 11 topic areas of Healthy Campus 2020. The objectives chosen for critical review were based on Healthy Campus 2020 topics that were relevant to course objectives for a Wellness required general education undergraduate course. The assessment of these behaviors will be used to develop future interventions and curriculum additions aimed at increasing the health behaviors among undergraduate students and reducing the risky behaviors that might hinder their educational success.
Method:
Thirty-one objectives from 8 of the 11 topic areas of Healthy Campus 2020 were measured by the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment-II at a state supported regional university. The participants were limited to 1,019 students (255= male, 764=female) undergraduate students, ages 18-23, enrolled at a state supported regional university.
Analysis/Results:
Descriptive statistics and percentages were used to determine the percent of targets achieved for thirty -one objectives from 8 of the 11 topic areas of Healthy Campus 2020 regarding health impediments to academic performance, health communication, mental health and mental disorders, nutrition and weight, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, family planning, substance abuse, and tobacco use.
Conclusions:
The results of the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment-II provided the University with baseline data for health behaviors within the student population. Next, we compared our primary data to target standards set forth by Healthy Campus 2020. Healthy Campus 2020 will be a tool for the University to define future health priorities of our students. The data provided justification for broader educational programs to address nutrition, sleep quality, physical activity, anxiety and family planning.