April 14, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - More than 100 undergraduate and graduate students joined dozens of faculty and staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health for a live-action public service announcement (PSA) filmed April 9 on UAB's Campus Green.

The event was among several during National Public Health Week, April 5-11, organized to highlight the role of public health in safeguarding individuals and communities against health crises, natural disasters, homelessness, disparity in care and many other issues and situations.

Participants in the PSA lined up on the grass holding small posters printed with hundreds of words and phrases chosen to help define public health - messages like vaccination, chronic disease, social justice and healthy future. The choreographed PSA was filmed from a nearby rooftop, and organizers with UAB's Public Health Student Association said it will be shown in the coming weeks.

Also during the week, the School of Public Health hosted the inaugural UAB KoronisFest competition featuring PSA videos, animated clips and graphic posters.

The competition included more than a dozen entries from students and professionals in Alabama and other states. PSA messages included disease prevention, public safety, organ donation and other health messages. A volunteer KoronisFest committee judged the entries based on creativity, clarity and other factors.

About the UAB School of Public Health

The UAB School of Public Health is a community of scholars and professionals working and teaching in varied arenas of public health with the goal of fostering research and best practices crucial to the health of the United States and its peoples. The school offers more than 20 areas of study and manages dozens of research and community-service centers.