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World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is an international event dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. On December 1 of each year people worldwide are given the opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV and show their support for people living with HIV.

Every year BGSU celebrates this day by hosting a panel discussion. This panel discussion covers HIV/AIDS issues and how BGSU students can help end AIDS. The 2015 event is held on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 PM in the Math Science Building Room 201.

For more information, visit the Wellness Connection website.

Thanksgiving Traffic Safety

Safe Communities of Wood County is joining in a national effort to reach out to all Thanksgiving travelers with one important message: buckle up. Historically, Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year, putting more people on the road, and unfortunately increasing the likelihood of crashes. Each year in our country, tens of thousands of passenger vehicle occupants die in motor vehicle crashes. In 2013, more than 300 people were killed in crashes on Thanksgiving weekend alone. It’s a sad statistic, but even sadder is that many of those deaths could have been prevented with one simple click of a seat belt.

The United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that proper seat belt use reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury by 50 percent. In 2013, approximately 12,584 people survived crashes because they were buckled up. If everyone involved in crashes that year had worn their seat belts, an additional 2,800 lives may have been saved.

“More than half the drivers and passengers being killed in crashes aren’t wearing seat belts. That’s a major problem,” said Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator. In 2013, a total of 21,132 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in crashes, and almost half (49%) of those occupants were not buckled up. During Thanksgiving weekend in 2013 (6 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, to 5:59 a.m. Monday, December 2), a disturbing 58 percent (6 out of 10) of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. At night, the statistic was even worse; 64 percent of the occupants killed at night were unbuckled.

Younger drivers are the most likely to be unbuckled in a fatal crash. In 2013, among passenger vehicle occupant fatalities where restraint use was known, the age groups 21 to 24 and 25 to 34 had the highest percentage (55%) of occupants killed who were un-restrained.

NHTSA data also reveals that males are more likely to be unbuckled than females in a fatal crash. Fifty-four percent of the males killed in crashes in 2013 were not buckled up, as compared to 41 percent for females. Right now, the overall seat belt use rate in the United States is 87 percent, which is a major increase over the 79-percent use rate in 2003, but there is still room for further gains.

“For those people who already buckle up every time: Thank you,” said Ms. Wiechman “For them, this campaign serves as a reminder. But for those people who still don’t buckle up for whatever reason, I want to say this: buckling your seat belt is one of the simplest, safest things you’ll ever do.”

This Thanksgiving, and every day of the year, make sure your seat belt is buckled before you start any road trip—whether it’s one mile or a thousand.

For More Information:

  • Traveling safely during Thanksgiving, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.
  • Jerrod Savidge, 419-352-2481
  • Safe Communities Coordinator, Sandy Wiechman

419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

Truth Campaign To Put Out More Than Just Cigarettes

The American Legacy Foundation has launched another Truth campaign to combat Big Tobacco in the United States. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The anti-smoking youth campaign is for the first time tackling social smoking, hookahs and flavored cigarillos in its marketing efforts as smoking habits among young adults shift away from traditional cigarettes.”  The campaign debuted a new spot called “It’s A Trap” during MTV’s Video Music Awards and also released another advertisement called “Finishers 2.0″, which can be seen below, during the Teen Choice Awards in April.

According to Wall Street Journal, the campaign “leverages social media star power and popular memes to highlight the dangers of light or intermittent smoking — say smoking a cigarette or two only during parties. A study published earlier this year in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that 25% of adolescents believe smoking on an intermittent basis poses little to no harm.”

The advertisement below is one of four that is being shown around on Bowling Green State University’s campus. With the Clean-Air Policy in place at BGSU since 2012, this will be another step in the right direction to end it with tobacco.

http://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/08/27/truth-campaign-targets-social-smoking-hookahs-as-cigarette-use-declines/

Maintain Don’t Gain is Back!

Worried the holidays will weigh you down? Join the ‘‘Maintain, Don’t Gain’’ Challenge and receive accountability and motivation to avoid holiday weight gain and have a healthy and happy holiday season!

This FREE program is available to all BGSU faculty, staff and students! Here’s how the holiday challenge works:

  • Participate individually or create a team. The more the merrier! There is not a limit to the number of teammates you can have.
  • Register by attending a pre-holiday weigh-in. Weights are kept confidential.
  • Receive practical tips, recipes, physical activity suggestions and other information to help you engage in healthier behaviors throughout the holiday season.
  • Receive great workouts and opportunities to participate in free instructor led classes
  • Attend a post-holiday ‘‘weigh-out’’ during the week of January 11. All teams or individuals who maintain or lose weight during the holiday season qualify for select raffle prizes!

Download the Flyer (PDF) for complete details. Registration begins November 16.

Questions? Contact Karyn Smith
419-372-9309
karync@bgsu.edu
www.bgsu.edu/wellaware

Mock Crash Educates BGSU Community

Friday, October 24, 2015 – Mock OVI Car Crash

This exercise was a realistic scene of a crash involving an intoxicated driver. Police departments, fire/EMS, and an air ambulance responded as they do to an actual real life emergency.  The scenario involved two cars who “collide” as a result of an intoxicated driver. This mock demonstration educated BGSU students on the dangers of drinking and driving and how it affects lives.

Participating agencies:

  • BGSU Police
  • Bowling Green Police Department
  • Bowling Green Fire and EMS
  • Wood County Safe Communities Coalition members
  • Hanneman Funeral Home
  • Life Flight (Coordinated by BG Fire/EMS)
  • BG Towing and Recovery
  • Wood County Hospital

For More Information:
Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator
swiechma@bgsu.edu | 419.372.9353

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