Ashleigh developed a health literacy program for K-1^st graders at the YMCA Youth Center afterschool program that emphasized nutrition and healthy behaviors. This program focused on increasing the students’ knowledge of basic food groups, identifying healthy food and drink choices, trying new foods, as well as understanding the human body and how to keep it healthy.

As a result of this program:

Out of the 13 students that were enrolled in the program for the full year:

• 10 students were able to name all five food groups
• 11 students were able to name an example of each food group
• 13 students were able to identify one unhealthy snack and a healthy alternative
• 10 students were able to name 3 or more organs and describe their function
• 7 students were able to demonstrate one or more yoga poses

The project will be sustained through the UAB chapter of the American Physician Scientist Association.

“Participating in the Schweitzer fellowship this year has given me the opportunity to be innovative and lead a project I feel passionate about, while also reinforcing the value of early intervention in the effort to eliminate health disparities.”