heal h
A special section of The Cougar
ISSUE
2 | Thursday, January 18, 2018
HEALTH 713-743-5362
thedailycougar.com
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FINANCIALS
Your guide to UH's student health insurance plan Enrollment still open for spring/summer coverage with small deductible, free campus screenings EMILY BURLESON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
@ EMILYRBURLESON
Juggling the many lives of a student — working, taking classes, navigating life away from home, even caring for your own children —is hard enough without getting sick or dealing with long-term health problems. UH offers a health insurance plan through BlueCross BlueShield that may help some students cope with those realities. Undergraduate students who take at least six credit hours during the fall or spring semesters qualify for the insurance. Graduate need only take three credit hours.
What it covers With some exceptions, students must pay most of the costs of their health care under the plan until reaching the deductible, which is $350 for in-network care and $700 for out-of-network care. You can search for doctors and health services that qualify
as in-network through the BlueCross BlueShield of Texas website. Be sure to select “Blue Choice PPO” when you search. Before reaching the deductible, students holding this insurance are required to pay 20 percent of costs for in-network care and 40 percent of costs out-of-network. But most of the services offered at the UH Health Center, which recently relocated to the brand new Health and Biomedical Sciences 2 Building, are free with this insurance. Coincidentally, the Student Health Insurance is the only plan that the Health Center accepts. (Students with other insurance or none at all pay flat fees listed on the Health Center’s website.) In general, this means nonemergency visits to the clinic and any immunizations done at UH are completely covered by the student insurance. Contraceptives are also free with this plan. However, the Student Health Insurance requires a co-pay for
Patients at the General Wellness Clinic at the Health Center are treated by licensed physicians and nurses, who can give immunizations and conduct physical exams. These services are free with the Student Health Insurance. | File photo/The Cougar
any prescriptions. Students will pay $20 out of pocket for generic drugs, $50 for preferred brand drugs and $70 for non-preferred brand drugs. Specialty drugs will cost a cool $100. A straightforward visit to an in-network general practitioner or specialist with no lab testing or other diagnostics will cost just $35 out of pocket. For students planning to travel abroad, the insurance plan covers immunizations needed for certain destinations and repatriation in case of emergency while traveling or studying outside the United States.
Enrollment and costs
To receive a full year of coverage under this insurance, enroll in August, and the coverage will last a calendar year from fall to fall. But semesterly plans for just fall, spring or summer are also available. Enrollment for Spring/ Summer and Summer 2018 coverage closes on Feb. 1. To apply, head to the Student Health Insurance website, click “Enrollment,” then “Enroll online.” First-time domestic students pay the most for a full year of insurance: $2,160. The price drops by about $100 for returning students. Dental insurance is also available for
$252 annually, and drops by $20 for returners. For just spring and summer coverage, costs come to $1,334 for medical and $152 for dental. With the dental plan, routine cleanings at the UH Dental Office require no out-of-pocket expense. International students with F or J visa status are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance, and their rates are the same as domestic students, but annual plans are not available. (Some international students can submit a waiver and purchase a different insurance plan.) editor@thedailycougar.com
On-campus health services Dental Office Offers routine cleanings, x-rays, root canals, wisdom teeth removal, whitening and more. Call 832-380-9475 for appointments. Walk-ins accepted.
Clinical Pathology Lab Processes pregnancy tests, cholesterol, thyroid function, metabolic panel and HIV tests. Available through UH Health Center.
Health Center Pharmacy Takes prescriptions from any licensed physician. Also does transfers and refills. Questions? Call 713-743-5125.
Health Center For appointments at these clinics, call 713-743-5156.
** WE MOVED! ** STILL IN MON 2901 S. Shepherd Dr. • 713-52TROSE: 3-8701 BUFFALOEXCHANGE.COM •
General Medicine Clinic: Treats minor injuries and offers physical exams, health assessments, specialist referrals and immunizations. Men's Clinic: Offers testing and treatment for STIs and general screenings. Women's Clinic: Conducts well-woman exams, pap smears and consultations for STIs and contraceptives. Orthopedic Clinic: Treats sports injuries and bone and muscle diseases. Makes referrals for physical therapy. Psychiatry Clinic: Treats mood disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and other issues.
Thursday, January 18, 2018 | 3
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HEALTH
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MENTAL HEALTH
Options for stress relief abound on campus ANDRES CHIO
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @TWITTERHANDLE
Winter break is over and the spring semester has begun. Lectures instead of Christmas carols are filling students' ears, and the information overload can be stressful. Here are some healthy ways to deal with the grind of the semester.
Group classes at the Campus Rec Burn off stress and calories at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. In addition to personal training and standard workout equipment, the Campus Rec offers group classes on yoga, Pilates, meditation, and more. All UH students and staff are already paying for them through the mandatory $101 fee, so you might as well go. To sign up for group classes, head to the Fitness Zone Help Desk on the second floor of the Rec to sign a waiver. Once that is complete, you
will receive a pass to attend all group classes for the semester. The spring schedule can be found on the Campus Rec website or the UH Fitness Programs Facebook page.
Intramural sports Compete seriously or just for fun in one of the sports tournaments held every semester through IMLeagues' website. It is free to play. All students need to do is create an account, join a team for the sport of their choosing and, once a full team is assembled, pick a night to play. You can sign up with friends or team up with strangers in men's, women's and co-ed leagues. Student Center Games Room Another place to get active is the Student Center South Games Room, which has bowling, pool and table tennis. To play you need to make a reservation in advance by calling 832-842-6201, emailing
Prices at the Student Center Games Room vary depending on your affiliation with UH. | Sonny Singh/The Cougar
ucgames@central.uh.edu or speaking to an employee at their help desk in the Student Center South. The fees range from $2.50 to $20 per hour.
Coffee and tea There are multiple places on campus to grab some coffee, tea, juice or other pick-me-ups
in a quiet, relaxed environment. The Nook by the University Lofts, Cougar Grounds — a student run coffee house — at the Hilton College, and Tealicious at the Welcome Center Parking Garage all have a variety of coffees, teas and pastries.
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4 | Thursday, January 18, 2018
HEALTH 713-743-5362
thedailycougar.com
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MEDITATION
Finding a peaceful place on campus THOMAS DWYER PHOTO EDITOR
Sharing a campus with almost 44,000 other students can make it difficult to find a place to call your own to pass the brief period of time you might have between classes — especially if you’re new to uh or a commuter. Everyone’s days are chaotic at some point, and it's nice to get away from everything for a little bit and sit to collect your thoughts. But trying to
find that space in noisy and crowded hotspots like the student centers and the first three floors of the md anderson library gets old. Here are a few places to check out next time you need somewhere to meditate. All it takes is a little curiosity about buildings that you’ve never been inside of to find that next potential place for peace and quiet. photo@thedailycougar.com
Inside the health 1 building on calhoun road, there are plenty of nooks and alcoves to sit down and get work done or relax and collect your thoughts. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar
The Valenti School of Communication has an atrium with plenty of benches to sit at and relax. A small fountain also provides ambient noise to drown out distractions. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar
The courtyard at University Lofts is home to several picnic tables and a fully-stocked convenience store for quick study refreshments. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar
The Fine Arts Building is built around a large, open atrium with benches to sit and read your favorite book or soak up the sun. Art students' constantly rotating public projects add some visual interest, too. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar
Thursday, January 18, 2018 | 5
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HEALTH
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TEAM UP
Campus Rec offers rugby, hockey, lacrosse and more EDWIN A. HEISERMAN STAFF WRITER
Intramural sports leagues and club sports are great ways for students to participate in campus activities and meet friends in a fun, competitive environment. The Campus Recreation & Wellness Center offers more than 10 intramural sports leagues this spring and has more than 20 sports clubs this school year. 5v5 Basketball
The 5v5 basketball league is fun for all skill levels. A maximum of 10 players can form a team in numerous leagues including Greek Men's, Men's Competitive, Men's Recreational and Women's Open League. If students love playing basketball or are interested in giving it a try, then they should check out the 5v5 league at the Rec to form a team with friend.
5v5 Floor Hockey
Floor Hockey is a fun way to explore a sport not typically played in the South. Teams can be a maximum of 10 players and a minimum of five. Leagues include Men's, Women's and Co-Ed Rec. Men's and Women's Lacrosse
UH lacrosse is an exciting organization for all experience levels. The team can provide equipment and coaching to anyone interested in the sport. Just bring your cleats! The men's team can be contacted at uhlacrosse@gmail.com or online at uhlacrosse.com. Women's lacrosse can be contacted at the same website. Students can also check out the teams' Instagram accounts: @uhcougarlax and @uhwlacrosse. Men's and Women's Rugby
Joining a UH rugby team is an
Flag football is one of twenty club sports offered at the UH Campus Wellness & Recreational Center during the school year. Joining a club team can be a low-commitment alternative to other campus sports. | Courtesy of UH Recreation
awesome way to get involved with the sport of rugby, make friends and stay in shape. Both the men's and women's rugby teams welcome students of all experience levels. They offer training from coaches and peers and an environment to exercise your competitive Cougar spirit. The men's UH Rugby FC can be contacted at uhrugbyfc@ gmail.com. The Lady Cougar rugby team can be contacted at ladycougarrugbyuh@gmail.com. Both teams can also be found
on Instagram: @uhrugby and @ ladycougarrugbyuh. Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisebee is a fun sport that relies on teamwork and skill. The UH Ultimate team strives to stay competitive at the collegiate level. If you love the sport of ultimate frisbee and want to compete, then this club is for you. Contact Chelsea Watson, the RecSports and Family Program Coordinator, at cgwatson@
central.uh.edu for more information on how to join. Students can access the full list of intramural leagues and club teams on IMLeagues.com under the University of Houston page. Students can also contact the Rec Sports and Family Programs Office in room 1007 at the Campus Rec. Students can reach the office by phone at 713-7438041 or by email at imsports@ uh.edu for more information. editor@thedailycougar.com
Have questions about sex? Need condoms or dental dams?
Choose well Do well Be well 1038 Campus Recreation and Wellness Center • (713) 743 5430 • www.uh.edu/wellness
6 | Thursday, January 18, 2018
HEALTH 713-743-5362
thedailycougar.com
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ILLNESS
How to beat your common cold without leaving campus JULIE ARAICA
store when you’re sick isn’t fun, so visit the closest campus convenience store and make sure to stock up on the basics (preferably before you get sick). Some basic medicines you should always have on hand include Tylenol, Advil and cough medicine.
COOGLIFE EDITOR
Dealing with the common cold is tough for anyone, let alone for a student who happens to live on campus. Here are a few tips you can follow to help survive your illness and stay on track of school work if you happen to get sick.
have coming up and most importantly of all, get as much sleep as you need. You can’t get over any cold if you don’t give your body time to rest.
Tell your professors Just make sure to send them an email letting them know when you’re first getting sick, and bring them a doctor’s note if they need one. Letting them know and keeping contact is the only way to stay on track of your school work.
Let your roommate know If you’re really sick, let them know so they can make plans to sleep elsewhere. Alternatively, they might be able to help get stuff that you need from the C-Store or dining hall if you can’t get out of bed.
Visit the UH Health Center Leaving campus might be a little hard to do when you’re feeling sick, but the UH Health Center is just a short walk away at the new Health and Biomedical Sciences Building 2. Make an appointment the moment you start to develop any symptoms to make sure your illness is nothing serious and get a prescription for antibiotics if needed.
Call home Stay hydrated Drink plenty of water. Not juice, not soda, but water. Staying well hydrated is essential to beating a cold. If you have a sore throat, then visit Starbucks or the Nook to get some warm tea to help soothe it.
Stock up on medicine Making a visit to the closest drug
Rest
Let your family know you’re feeling sick. Your mom might be able to tell you whether your cold is actually pneumonia, and even if that’s not the case, hearing her tell you its not will definitely put you at ease. Your parents have seen it all, and they can let you know what to do when you’re not feeling like your best self.
Skip class if you need to (just make sure to let your professor know), cancel any social plans you
Ten essentials for your workout playlist DANA C. JONES
Features Editor
Bagbak Vince Staples Long Beach native Vince Staples created an album with electronic-inspired beats paired with political gangsta rap. This fast-paced song features distorted synth and rapid 808s.
Backseat Freestyle Kendrick Lamar Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar is known for thought-provoking lyrics. But this single off of his debut album shows that he can showboat like the rest of them, and with lyrics like his, he’s earned it.
Legend Has It Run the Jewels Southern hip-hop artist Killer Mike and producer EI-P form one of the most visceral rap duos by creating music that is simply physical. This song on their last full-length project "Run the Jewels 3" comes with rhymes that are paced perfectly over a truly modern beat.
2 Points Jidenna The suavest rapper writes a song about striving for excellence. Jidenna is almost screaming on this horn-filled beat with minimal but fierce primal drums holding up the instrumental.
Big Bank Big K.R.I.T. feat. T.I. After three years, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. released his first album after leaving his previous Def Jam record label. In this song, he boasts about how his focus outshines other rappers and leaves him on top.
Int'l Players Anthem UGK and Outkast This is one of the greatest songs in music, but definitely for southern rap music. The most iconic duos (UGK, comprised of Rice University Professor Bun B and Pimp C, and Outkast having Andre 3000 and Big Boi) come together in this song that combines a church choir and some clean drums.
Lemon N.E.R.D. feat. Rihanna The band has been on the cutting edge of music, especially with producer Pharrell at the helm. With the help of the princess of pop, Rihanna, this New Orleans bounce beat can make anyone ready to sweat.
Sweatpants Childish Gambino Multi-hyphenated artist Childish Gambino combines his quirky and witty bars with a congruent upbeat instrumental. The bridge saying, “I’m winning” is just enough to ignore the pain for that summer body.
Power Kanye West From one of the bluntest personas in music comes this just-as-blunt song about making it OK to feel yourself. Along with the encouraging lyrics, the beat has a constant clap to push you through that last rep.
A Milli Lil Wayne We love Lil Wayne because of his metaphors. He definitely brings those to "A Milli," but that repetitive "A Tribe Called Quest" sample will make anyone ready to run.
Thursday, January 18, 2018 | 7
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HEALTH
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPONSORED
College of Education prepares public health change agents As a student at the University of Houston College of Education, Sarah Childress spent several weekends at a local community center, taking people’s body measurements and teaching them how to collect saliva samples. She was working with Associate Professor Lorraine Reitzel on a research study looking at the effects of stress on health in underserved populations. While many UH students are familiar with the College of Education’s teaching major, some may not realize the College offers several health programs. These include: • A special degree program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in public health in only five years. • A unique opportunity for undergraduate students of any major to study with cancer experts at UH and MD Anderson Cancer Center, with compensation
•
provided. A new study abroad program in the Dominican Republic, open to undergraduate and graduate students of any major who are interested in global health.
•
A chance to work in research labs focused Latino health, cardiovascular health and health disparities. Students can learn more at www.uh.edu/COEhealth. Reitzel, who chairs the College
Can you envision a healthier world? One where good health doesn’t depend on a person’s race, background or socioeconomic status.
YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE. The University of Houston College of Education offers opportunities for students to improve public health: •
Earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in public health in only five years.
•
Conduct cancer research with experts from UH and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
•
Study abroad in the Dominican Republic for a global health perspective.
Learn how to change lives at www.uh.edu/COEhealth.
of Education’s Psychological, Health & Learning Sciences department, said students interested in changing lives should consider applying to the various programs. “We expose students to health issues that need to be solved,”
Reitzel said. “We want to work with students who want to make a difference in the lives of others and who are excited about going into the community to learn.” Kayce Solari Williams, who serves as director of the health program, added: “We want students who ask questions and then go after answers. You really have to love what you do when you’re in helping professions.” Childress, who graduated with a bachelor’s of health in 2015, said the experience she gained in the College of Education was invaluable. She now works as a behavioral science research coordinator at MD Anderson. “At the beginning, I was nervous because I was inexperienced, but Dr. Reitzel and several other faculty were very encouraging,” Childress said. “At the end, I was much more confident in my skills.” Sponsored by the UH College of Education
8 | Thursday, January 18, 2018
HEALTH 713-743-5362
thedailycougar.com
editor@thedailycougar.com
Emily Burleson, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
OPINION
Redefining beautiful
'The message is clear: Natural appearances are no longer enough'
Powerlifter Calvin Chen can lift more than 500 pounds in his best event, deadlifting. | Courtesy of Calvin Chen
FITNESS
Powerlifters of UH embrace health, community spirit DANA C. JONES
FEATURES EDITOR @DANACJONES_
Many students have health-related goals, especially as we go into the new year. While some tend to procrastinate in college because of lack of time or practicality, other students go above just being healthy by putting their hard work on display in the sport of powerlifting. Kinesiology senior Calvin Chen has been powerlifting for two years and has been doing moderate strength training. Chen got into powerlifting to merge his interest in strength training and athletics. Powerlifting has been a sport since the early 1800s, with everyone competing to have the title of “Strongest Man Alive.” Each country had its own standard of testing strength, like kettle ball weights for the Russians and barbells for the Germans. There was not a standard until the 1928 Olympics. When Chen started powerlifting he was 155 pounds. He now sits at 185 pounds, after gaining 30 pounds of mostly muscle. Chen can squat more than twice his body weight at 450 pounds, deadlift over three times his weight at 567 pounds and benches at a maximum of 315 pounds. Chen is not concerned about transitioning into a bodybuilder. “Bodybuilders are cut to three or two percent body fat,” Chen said. “But you need body fat for
your hormones so they don’t act up, and I kind of don’t want to go through that phase.” Chen is more into being an athlete, which is also why he does not want to be a bodybuilder. “Bodybuilding is more of displaying your body and more focused on physique and aesthetics,” Chen said. This is why bodybuilding
weight, fasting starts 18 hours before weigh in. They can’t eat and are dehydrated because the water still adds weight to them. After making weight they can eat to gain their weight back. After the warm-ups, the rounds go in order of squat, bench then deadlift. Because Chen is in a heavier weight class, he usually performs in the afternoon session along
“Being there with your friends cheering you on and cheering them on is the best feeling, and afterword you get to hang out and go eat.” Calvin Chen, Kinesiology senior and powerlifter shows have the competitors greased up and in swimsuits to better show the build of the body. Powerlifting is more focused on the competition of who can lift the most weight in squats, deadlifts and bench among weight classes. The weight classes are further broken down by age and sex. Along with lifting heavy weights, for the body to be able to do that the other half of the battle is regulating a proper diet. As opposed to bodybuilders, Chen has a little bit more freedom concerning what he can eat. “It depends on the person, but for me, I can eat almost anything I want. But you (still) have to eat a lot of protein,” Chen said. To ensure that the lifters make
with the possible 200 or even 1000 other lifters that day. One competition day won’t end until 8 or 10 p.m., creating a 14 to 16 hour day. “Being able to be there with your friends cheering you on and cheering them on is the best feeling, and afterward you get to hang out and go eat,” Chen said. Because most of the day for an individual lifter is cheering, it shows that the community of powerlifting is for the growth of everyone. “It is really a good community to motivate each other to do better and help new people coming in to help get them to where we are,” Chen said. editor@thedailycougar.com
The Body Positivity Movement has sought to counteract the narrowness of standards in the beauty world and make diversity a more normalized facet of beauty. Simply put, it's a campaign to promote acceptance of all body types. The movement attained ANUSHEH momentum SIDDIQUE OPINION EDITOR through the introduction of social media, but it has also ignited many controversies over whether it provides justification for unhealthy lifestyles. This shift in social thought has allowed women to re-explore their femininity away from the condemning gaze of the unrealistic standards of beauty. Fifty-four percent of women aged 18-40 express insecurity and dissatisfaction with their looks, a dangerous side effect of the media assaulting us with image after image of flawless individuals. Not only does this practice foster feelings of inferiority, but it also addresses the issue of using photoshop in magazines and on social media. The message is clear: Natural appearances are no longer enough. The body positivity campaign has become so widely perpetuated that corporations and organizations are being forced to modify their stances to accommodate this new philosophy. Brands such as Aerie and Dove have used the popularity of body acceptance as a marketing technique, and the introduction of plus size models such as Jennie Runk and Saffi Karina is finally adding some representation to more marginalized groups. When these models appear on advertisements and in magazines, I cannot help thinking how healthy they seem. This inherent assumption made on my part — that plus size models wouldn't be in shape — shows the institutionalized nature of these standards so deeply embedded within us. This movement towards reclaiming love for all body types is not so much a statement, but rather a correction of a power imbalance that has dominated us
for far too long. It has received many criticisms about justifying an unhealthy lifestyle and making obesity a fashion statement. This is a common misconception, as the movement seeks to normalize healthy bodies which have been distorted by societal standards to seem overweight. This description of healthy bodies extends to those who are eating properly and exercising regularly but do not fit within the celebrity bodies so widely perpetuated as the norm. What is often forgotten is that, just as how supporting women's rights does not make an individual anti-man, supporting body positivity does not mean skinnier, more typical bodies are being shamed. Women are judged by their appearance before their personality, and this fundamental removal of humanity leads to such a gross objectification that it is no shock that up to 10 percent of college-aged women have eating disorders. The unrealistic and unbelievable bodies I was exposed to on a daily basis throughout my adolescence led to my own experience with eating disorders. It is a norm, almost a trend, to be in the bathroom puking up lunches to be one step closer to a size two waist. It seems the media has managed to foster a far more intimate relationship with our bodies than we ever could. This is evident in the rampant objectification of celebrity bodies in the media. Certain aspects are praised so immediately while others are entirely rejected as having any value. A chorus of models and actresses express their annoyance with this obsession. More and more voices have acclaimed the Body Positivity Movement for providing the confidence that society robbed them of initially. This campaign has begun to entrench itself in our lifestyles. The opportunity to redefine what we consider as beautiful manifests itself across many platforms, but it must be seized before our identities can be enhanced by our bodies, not hindered. Opinion editor Anusheh Siddique is a political science freshman. She can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.