Health Education

Mission Statement

To identify, establish and promote activities that contribute to a healthy campus. To enhance the personal health of students and the collective health of the campus/community by creating a healthy environment and supporting students in establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Workplace Safety and Substance Abuse Policy

UC San Diego is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all faculty, staff, and students, and to keeping the campus free from the problems of substance abuse. Please visit:http://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/hr/reaffirm/safety.html.

Health Education Staff

Debbie Pino-Saballett, Director (858) 534-2419
Maria Ramirez, Assistant Director (858) 822-5382
Lupe Samaniego-Kraus, ATOD Coordinator (858) 534-3874
Christine McNamara, Registered Dietitian (858) 822-0085
Erica Okamura, Peer Health Education Coordinator (858) 534-1824
Patricia Grillo, Senior Writer/Web Content Manager (858) 822-1015

Our Health Education Department provides in-house and outreach programs, counseling, referral and information on nutrition, sexuality, alcohol, drugs, stress management, HIV/AIDS, contraception, fitness, disease prevention, and general health issues.

View our Department Highlight to learn more about this stellar team!

Are you overweight or obese? Find out more about the SMART Health Study.

Student Health Advocate Program

The Student Health Advocate Program is an award-winning volunteer peer health education student organization at UCSD. SHAs receive extensive training throughout one full academic quarter and commit to volunteering for an entire academic year. Training includes a series of lectures by a variety of medical professionals and encompasses health issues, awareness, values clarification and communication skills.

SHAs are able to volunteer as clinic aides, provide physical fitness assessments, blood pressure checks and facilitate health information sessions at Student Health Services. SHAs also provide peer education and facilitate programs throughout the campus on subjects such as stress management, contraception, sexually transmitted disease prevention, HIV/AIDS, relationships, fitness, and nutrition.

Request an Outreach Program

Choose from a variety of FREE, fun & interactive health education programs for your group or organization facilitated by the Student Health Advocates. Request a program by filling out our online form or by calling (858)534-1824.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention at San Diego City Schools.

SHAs present the San Diego City Schools' (SDCS) 50-minute curriculum to 11th graders at various high schools in the district.  Sexual Health SHAs receive additional training in order to fill requests from various high schools to present the STD prevention curriculum.
Find out how to apply to this program: Student Health Advocates.

Sexual Health Info Sessions

These free one-hour sessions are offered by our Health Education Department. No appointment is needed - just walk-in at any of the session times offered. Both men and women are encouraged to attend the class, and it is required for women prior to their first request for a primary exam, STD screening, or for first-time birth control prescription. Sexual partners are welcome to attend as well. Click here for more information.

HIV/AIDS Antibody Testing

We provide confidential HIV/AIDS antibody testing at SHS. Pre- and post-counseling is provided by medical staff. For more information about HIV testing, go to: HIV Antibody Testing. For information about community locations for testing, go to: Test Locations

Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling is provided by a registered dietitian and dietetic interns. Your appointment includes a computerized assessment of your nutritional requirements and follow-up visits as needed. Click here for more information. Call Central Scheduling to make an appointment at: (858) 534-8089.

Eating Disorders

Are you or a friend concerned about Disordered Eating? Speak with your health care provider - or call a Health Educator at (858) 534-2508. Here's a great interactive tool to analyze your daily dietary intake: go to Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion and click on "Healthy Eating Index" on the right.

Healthy Weight Management Group

A dietitian and a psychologist facilitate a weekly Healthy Weight Management Group that focuses on diet, exercise and behavior modification. The meetings are free to registered students and are held weekly at Student Health. No appointment is needed. Read more at the link.

Body Composition Analysis

SHS now offers students the opportunity to have their body fat percentage measured using the Body Composition Analyzer. To learn more, click this link.

Walking - Get Fit & Reduce Stress

We often hear from students who have low energy and high stress. Students are also concerned about their weight and general fitness level. Walking is an excellent way to get (or stay) in shape, enjoy the fresh air, and reduce those stress levels. Walking is especially good for students with varying schedules and physical ability.

Wearing a pedometer, available at most sporting goods stores, can be motivating and help you measure your progress. After some research, we found the Digi Walker SW-200 pedometer to be consistently good at a reasonable price ($15-25). This is a basic pedometer that tracks only your steps. See more info at: New-Lifestyles.com or phone 888-748-5377.

The Great American Smokeout

We sponsor campus events during the Great American Smokeout every November. If you are a smoker and would like to quit, contact the California Smokers' Helpline at (800) NOBUTTS. You can also make an appointment with a Wellness Coach at Student Health Services who can help you quit. Just call or make an appointment for smoking cessation services. There is no charge for an individual appointment with the Wellness Coach who can help you develop a plan to quit. Call SHS Appointment line at (858) 534-8089.

FITstop

The Student Health Advocates provide a personal fitness assessment called FITstop. This measures a person's level of fitness compared to others in the same age group. Special equipment and exercises are used to measure blood pressure, heart rate, percent of body fat, vital capacity, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, abdominal strength and upper body strength. The four specific categories measured are: cardiovascular health, muscular strength and endurance, body weight and composition, and flexibility. These assessments are done on a walk-in basis at the RIMAC facility each week.

The Personal Wellness Program

A 10-week program consists of an initial physical fitness assessment, evaluations with UCSD Recreation personal trainers, 8 weeks of small group fitness training, and a follow-up fitness profile for your long term fitness program. Provided free of charge to UCSD students, this unique program is sponsored by Student Health and UCSD Recreation.  Get more information on the UCSD Recreation page.