The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) is a survey that was sent out to all Meredith students to participate in. This survey asks about topics surrounding health and wellness on Meredith’s campus to build on future wellness programs and assess the needs of the Meredith community. According to a link with additional information shared in an email sent out to Meredith students, some of the topics covered on the NCHA include overall health and community, food security and nutrition, sleep, sexual health, medical and mental health, substance use, chronic conditions and many other topics to assess the concerns of Meredith students.
While some of the topics covered are personal and may cause some discomfort among participants, the survey is completely confidential. According to the Meredith website, no personally identifiable information will be shared with the school as email addresses are “destroyed” by the American College Health Association (ACHA) before being sent to Meredith, and students may choose whether they want to leave some of the questions blank. Meredith students also have the choice to change their mind about participating in the survey without any risks and are directed to Dr. Mary Johnson, Director of the Student Health and Wellness Center.
In addition to completing the survey to improve wellness programs on campus, students are also encouraged to participate to win prizes. According to the frequently asked questions page of the Meredith Website, upon completing the NCHA survey, students are entered into a random drawing for various prizes, including campus mugs, double-walled tumblers, and a $50 gift certificate for the campus store. In observance of confidentiality, survey student email addresses will not be associated with their answers in their entry to win prizes; Meredith will only be able to see them as part of a list of individuals who have completed the survey.
According to Dr. Mary Johnson, through a brief interview, the Student Health and Wellness Center has formed a committee to review the NCHA survey data. This committee includes the Student Health Team, Research Planning and Assessment (RPA) staff, and other faculty and staff who are interested in health and wellness research on campus. Along with reviewing this data as a committee, they also plan to share the data with other departments and with students who may be doing research in this area as well.
Dr. Johnson explained that, although this is Meredith’s first time participating in this specific survey, the Student Health and Wellness Center has used other surveys in the past to develop multiple programs on campus. These programs include various wellness events such as Southern Smash, which is an event to bring awareness to disordered eating, along with events geared towards sexual health, like Cupcakes and Condoms or Sex in the Dark.
Looking forward, Dr. Johnson along with the Student Health and Wellness Center plans to provide Meredith students with exceptional care by not only addressing their medical needs but also promoting proactive health choices and valuing the individual needs, identities and values of each student.
Information about the NCHA Survey can be found on the Meredith website.
By: Elaina Irving, Opinion Editor
Photo courtesy of Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC
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