14th
July 2012
Monroe Says
“Play Safe For Carnival”
The Public Health
degree programme in the School of Allied Health
Professions at Monroe College has produced a
special brochure for Carnival 2012, in association
with the Select Committee of Stakeholders and
the National Carnival Queen Committee. “Play
it Safe” alerts revellers and spectators
of the need to stay “safe” during
the season. It focuses on drinking responsibly,
drinking enough water to avoid dehydration and
protecting the skin from exposure to the sun.
“The messages
are direct, simple AND easy to remember but
are also powerful instructions that promote
good health,” noted Dr. Sonia Alexander,
a well-known St. Lucian health educator and
public health consultant who worked with visiting
Prof. Denise Ramadar, a nutritionist from New
York, in selecting the proper messages to share
with the public. Both are experienced faculty
in Monroe’s Public Health degree programme
who share Monroe’ unique REAL WORLD education
philosophy and are well informed of current
trends and issues impacting health care. Dr.
Alexander added: “We have chosen to concentrate
on these three areas because around this time
St. Lucians don’t give as much thought
as they should to them. Take, for example, protecting
ourselves from the sun. While the majority of
St. Lucians have dark skin and don’t usually
get sun burnt, they can still get skin cancer.
We don’t take protection from the harmful
effects of the sun seriously.” She advised
that all who participate in Carnival also protect
their eyes from the sun by wearing sun glasses.
The
colourful and visually appealing brochure offers
the following recommendations to staying hydrated
at Carnival: drink an ample amount of water
two hours before hitting the road; while jumping-up
continue to drink water at regular intervals
(carry a water bottle) and even after the jump
up, drink water as you cool down. |
