School of Public Health Celebrates National Public Health Week with Four-Day Film Festival

Films, discussions free and open to the public

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (March 31, 2008) -- In celebration of National Public Health Week April 7-11, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Minnesota Public Health Association will hold a four-day film festival highlighting different aspects of public health.  The films will be introduced by School of Public Health faculty members, alumni, and experts who have expertise in the particular area highlighted in the films.

To kick off the week, screenings of film entries in the second annual “It’s Global” public service announcement contest will be shared with the public prior to Monday’s feature film. Filmmakers from around the world have prepared short videos to make a statement on global public health topics by describing a problem, identifying a potential solution, and advocating a quick call to action – all in 30 seconds or less.

 The Public Health Film Festival is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.  The films will be shown at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium on the east bank of the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota. For a map, please visit http://onestop.umn.edu/Maps/MMA/. Doors open at 5 p.m.

The film festival schedule is as follows:

Date/Time:  Monday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.
Topic:  Environmental Health: U.S. Addiction to oil and its impact on geology
Film:  A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash

Additional Monday night details: Entries in the second annual “It’s Global” Public Service Announcement contest will be screened and winners announced at 5:30 p.m. The film will begin at approximately 6:15 p.m.

Date/Time:  Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m.
Topic:  Global Health: Cuba’s health care system
Film:  ¡Salud!

Date/Time:  Wednesday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.
Topic: Health Disparaties: Racial and socio-economic disparities in health
Film: Unnatural Causes

Date/Time:  Friday, April 11, 5:30 p.m.
Topic:  Sexuality Education
Films: Sex Ed and the State, vintage sex education films

Find more information at http://www.sph.umn.edu/filmfest08.

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s seven health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes.  Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC mission is to prepare the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

Contact: Diana Harvey, School of Public Health, 612-625-7134
Toya Stewart, School of Public Health, 612-625-3218