Chiropractic colleges and chiropractic professional organizations celebrated National Public Health Week in a variety of ways large and small. From a global point of view, the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) published a variety of announcements and encouraged member organizations and colleges to support and participate in NPHW. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the largest chiropractic professional association in the world, signed on months in advance as an official partner and widely publicized NPHW throughout their media. Additionally, Dynamic Chiropractic, the most widely read chiropractic trade publication, featured many articles and announcements in support of NPHW.

Several chiropractic colleges had a variety of NPHW activities. At Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa, a variety of informational booths, banners, posters, and other activities were used to educate students about National Public Health Week. Palmer Chiropractic Clinics produced a large banner in support of NPHW to inform students, faculty, and patients about the week. Palmer College also celebrated the opening of a free clinic for low-income and indigent members of the community in partnership with the Salvation Army in downtown Moline. The Open House took place on April 6.

 At Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) in Portland, Ore., three days of events were held for NPHW, co-sponsored by the Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA) Chiropractic Section and the WSCC Business Club. A discussion panel was held to kick off the events featuring three exciting speakers, including WSCC Dean of Research Mitch Haas, DC, a founding member of the Chiropractic Health Care Section and former APHA Executive Board member. Dr. Haas discussed the history of APHA and the value of participation for chiropractors. Dr. Sean Herrin, chair of the Chiropractic Section of OPHA, introduced students to OPHA and APHA. Dr. Dave Corll, chiropractor in private practice and chair of the Peer Review Committee for the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners, introduced students to billing codes for services related to public health. Events on other days included information about assisting patients with weight loss by Ann Goldeen, DC, a chiropractor in private practice in Astoria, and a “Walk for the Health of It” for the campus community. For more information about these WSCC events, contact Alisa Fairweather at (503) 251-5786 or afairweather@wschiro.edu. (See related article in this newsletter)

At New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, N.Y., students serving as interns within a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic focused on infection control in a patient setting. Evidence-based sanitizing measures were discussed, with a special focus on handwashing before and after every patient contact to break the chain of contagion. Both students and patients were informed that extra care was being taken to reinforce proper handwashing procedures in honor of NPHW.

Cleveland Chiropractic College’s Kansas City and Los Angeles campuses conducted several educational activities in recognition of NPHW. Presentations and activities included: a smoking cessation presentation with Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD; a discussion of public health and the legislative process by Nicole Heim, associate director of the Kansas Public Health Association; a presentation on the value of a healthy diet with Dr. Dan Redwood, associate professor and editor in chief of Health Insights Today, a Web newsletter; a “Biggest Loser” weight-loss contest with a prize of a membership at a YMCA gym; and a luncheon hosted by the Student American Chiropractic Association. Additionally, Rich King, a student on the Kansas City campus and president of the campus Public Health Club, has been named Student Section Chairman of the Kansas Public Health Association. He will provide the voice of all students represented in the association during his one-year term. For more information about these Cleveland Chiropractic College events, please contact Alan Morgan at (913) 234 0713. (See related article in this newsletter)

Around the country and around the world, chiropractors observed NPHW, standing with mainstream public health advocates to improve the health of individuals and communities.