The zombie apocalypse would be a less-than-ideal public health situation, but it’s a popular class in the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health.
Zombie Apocalypse and Doomsday Infections is a three-credit course available to any IUPUI student. So far, the class has educated more than 200 students in preventing the spread of disease, which is what public health is all about.
Inspired by the class, the Fairbanks School of Public Health will introduce a zombie scavenger hunt – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 – as part of the program’s celebration of National Public Health Week. Participants will start at the Multicultural Center in Taylor Hall or the Fairbanks School of Public Health’s table in the Campus Center. They will proceed through campus to find clues that explain how public health works. Those who complete the hunt, which is a 50th Anniversary-funded event, will get a free T-shirt.
While the program traditionally promotes at least one event during National Public Health Week, the Fairbanks School will introduce several events that educate and celebrate a healthy society for 2019.
Monday, April 1
IUPUI’s celebration of National Public Health Week’s first steps include a step challenge for the campus. Steps will be counted throughout the week to help contribute to a healthier nation.
Wednesday, April 3
A screening of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” will be followed by a panel discussion. A Welcoming Campus Initiative, the event runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Campus Center Theater.
April 4
Along with the zombie scavenger hunt, the Fairbanks School of Public Health will have a drug takeback table in the Campus Center. Old prescription drugs as well as illegal narcotics will be accepted – no questions asked – and will be properly incinerated by IUPD-IUPUI.
April 5
The Fairbanks School of Public Health will be leading a project in Near West’s Haughville Park as part of the IUPUI Day of Service. The team will be doing cleanup as well as preparing a baseball diamond for another season of fastballs and home runs. The neighborhood is part of the Fairbanks School of Public Health’s Diabetes Impact Project.
April 9
Another Welcoming Campus Initiative, a poverty simulation will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center, rooms 450 B and C. During the poverty simulation, participants will be given a hypothetical family, resources, expenses and challenges to work through. This event is open to faculty, staff, students, community members and organizations, and the public.
