WED-064 - Together for Public Health: Collaborative Strategies to Broaden Campus and Community Engagement

Brief Abstract Summary: In 2025, the Eta Sigma Gamma Delta Chi Chapter at Texas State University expanded National Public Health Week's reach through collaborative, student-led health education. The campaign featured four themed days culminating in a Public Health Symposium co-hosted with the local health department. Eleven students coordinated events integrating interactive education, surveys, and social media outreach. The initiative reached hundreds of students, with over 100 symposium attendees. MythBusters Monday surveys showed 68% held oral health misconceptions and 37% had vaccine misconceptions. Sexual and Reproductive Health Tuesday distributed 30 condom packets and collected 23 surveys, revealing strong general knowledge but gaps in anatomy. Collaborations expanded scope and engagement. Multi-level strategies improved health literacy and strengthened campus-community connections; future efforts will use standardized evaluations.

Detailed abstract description:

Background: National Public Health Week (NPHW) provides an opportunity to promote awareness of key public health issues while fostering engagement across diverse audiences. In 2025, the Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) Delta Chi Chapter at Texas State University sought to expand the reach and impact of NPHW through strategic collaborations and interactive educational programming. Guided by program planning principles, the chapter implemented multi-level interventions addressing student health priorities.

Methods: NPHW (April 7–11, 2025) was organized using the Social Ecological Model to address health determinants across individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community levels. The week featured four themed days: MythBusters Monday, Sexual and Reproductive Health Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, and Foodie Friday, followed by a Public Health Symposium co-hosted with the local health department. ESG members served as planners and facilitators, supported by campus partners and community professionals. Activities included educational booths, interactive demonstrations, health classes, blood drive, social media campaigns, and community engagement. Attendance and engagement were tracked through surveys, participation counts, and anecdotal feedback.

Results: The initiative reached students across multiple campus locations. MythBusters Monday engaged 19 participants in identifying and correcting health misconceptions; 68% demonstrated gaps in oral health knowledge, and 37% held vaccine misconceptions. Additionally, a blood drive resulted in 14 units donated. Sexual and Reproductive Health Tuesday distributed 30 condom packets and collected 23 surveys; while 86% demonstrated strong general knowledge, many showed gaps in reproductive anatomy. Wellness Wednesday provided stress-relief and mindfulness resources and activities such as a free yoga class. The symposium included 10 presentations from public health experts across various sectors and careers, with more than 100 university and community attendees. Lastly, Foodie Friday offered healthy snacks and nutrition discussions through an ESG picnic. Collaborative partnerships with campus departments and the local health department enhanced visibility, resource availability, and cost efficiency.

Discussion: This initiative highlights the value of cross-sector collaboration and student-led engagement in public health education. Applying evidence-based, multi-level strategies fostered meaningful interactions and extended the campaign’s reach beyond the university to include community stakeholders. Future iterations will incorporate standardized evaluation tools, such as QR-coded surveys and knowledge assessments, to strengthen data collection and guide program improvement. Findings underscore the potential of student organizations to serve as catalysts for collaborative health promotion and to enhance campus-community partnerships.