Auburn University’s Pharmacy school offers a program, Healthy Habits, to help students and faculty take control of their health.
“Healthy Habits is a health and wellness service focusing on weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction,” said Emily Mann, director of Pharmaceutical Care Center Operations. “Students would benefit by improving their overall health through lifestyle changes.”
The program was developed in 2000 by Dr. Kimberly Braxton Lloyd, director of the Pharmaceutical Care Center, and is operated by the Harrison School of Pharmacy.
“Healthy Habits is an ongoing service offered through the AU Pharmaceutical Care Center. The AUPCC also provides medication therapy management services focused on diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses, along with wellness services including smoking cessation,” Mann said.
The services, performed by faculty members and fourth year pharmacy students, include body composition analysis, blood pressure, weight loss history, medical history and medication review.
“I think it would be a great way for people to become more aware of their overall health,” said Lauren Nevels, a senior in nursing. “Furthermore, many people are not aware of the potential medicine interactions of the prescriptions they are on.”
The program cannot only help with existing health problems, but may also help to prevent problems through awareness. The program focuses on disease prevention.
“By monitoring weight and blood pressure and other health indicators, it could serve as a motivator for students to seek healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating,” Nevels said.
The initial visit to the clinic is $20, and all follow-up visits are $2 each. Additional tests, such as cholesterol screening, are not included in the fee.
“I would do this because it’s a cheaper alternative to going to the doctor, and it gives the pharmacy school some more experience,” said Jordan Jones, a senior in business and human resources management.
Students can make an appointment by calling 844-4099 or by e-mailing aupcc4u@auburn.edu.
