Campus Health Ambassadors

Dr Ben Fong University Health Service The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Students are equally vulnerable as staff to physical and psychological illnesses such as stress. Health problems may be prevented or managed if identified early. Curative service is not always sufficient especially for prevention and improvement in health. Holding health talks and occasional health education workshops can only achieve limited and uncertain outcomes.

Health for all is built on the basis of

participation by all. Participation is not confined to passively receiving service when needed, but also proactively in becoming aware of health and partners in the promotion of health in the community.

Since Sept 2003, the Steering Committee on Health Promotion at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has begun an innovative annual programme, Campus Health Ambassadors, in conjunction with the University Health Service.

Aim: To motivate and train a group of students who are enthusiastically committed to becoming the key advocates in promoting physical and psychological health issues within the university community.

The programme fosters a culture of health awareness and practice among student groups. Young people are innovative and energetic. They understand better the health concerns and needs of their peers. They are persuasive in passing health messages and participating in health projects.

Main Objective: To develop a positive attitude in health among participants and to influence their peer groups, and, more importantly, to establish a leadership role in the campus and then in the community.

160 applications from students from different faculties. Students in fields other medical and nursing were equally keen to participate. 40 of them were selected to undergo the training programme for Campus Health Ambassadors, 10 from each of the 4 residential Colleges.

To provide knowledge and skills on the following health matters: ~ infectious diseases control ~ nutrition ~ physical exercise and community health ~ self-exploration ~ leadership ~ communication ~ stress management

The Training Camp - 3 solid days Participants are requested to develop their own projects on health promotion utilizing the knowledge and skills they have learnt. Project ideas include various interesting themes: ~ Exercise ~ Diet and Nutrition ~ Stress Management ~ Safe Sex, etc Seminars and workshops are held periodically to update ambassadors on current issues.

With the support of the respective Colleges, the CHA launch their projects on campus using:
~ display and game booths

~ talks ~ pamphlets

~ free supply of fruits, healthy drink & herbal soup ~ healthy cooking methods

~ testing for calories level, body mass index or body fat level measurement ~ providing messages on safe sex

~ exercises like boat rowing and jump rope dancing ~ encouraging walking round the campus ~ music therapy for relaxation

The projects have drawn the attention and attracted the participation of many students and staff. Apart from learning on health matters, they also appreciate the training in general communication and presentation skills.

On completion of their projects, the Ambassadors attended a graduation ceremony officiated by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

They demonstrate their presentation skills to an audience on the projects they had implemented. Each Campus Health Ambassadors is awarded the Certificate for the completion of the Training Programme.

The Steering Committee has obtained feedback from all participating students. There are suggestions for improvement, including the timing, duration of the training and the topics to be covered. Improvement has been made in the last three years.

The programme has met their expectation and they enjoy the role of Health Ambassadors. The contents of the Training Programme are relevant and suitable, and the training methods are appropriate. They are eager to be more involved in health promotion projects and would recommend the programme to fellow students.

Since 2004, the Ambassadors have started activities outside the campus:
~ joined the Healthy Schools project of the Centre for Health Promotion and Health Education in the School of Public Health as mentors to high school students. participated in the Organ Donation Programme of the Hospital Authority. established & staffed the mental health awareness booth in the Healthy Living In Sha Tin 2006 activity organised by the Sha Tin District Council. attended international conference in Macau & Malaysia in 2004 and 2005 respectively. visited Shantou University in January 2007.

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The Campus Health Ambassador Programme has been very popular among the students. Alumni meetings for former CHA have been held to foster a continuing fellowship and to uphold the interest of graduates of this programme, which is one of the key approaches to developing CUHK as a Health Promoting University. To make the programme successful, we need to maintain the interest of students groups, to keep them up-to-date with health knowledge, and to encourage them to remain active in health activities.

The effectiveness and commitment of the Campus Health Ambassadors are widely recognized.

University Health Service The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Thank You