College students spend a lot of time worrying about their studies that sometimes they can forget the importance of taking care of their health. While college life involves new challenges, responsibilities and excitement, it can also be a stressful time. Students often deal with the social pressures of drinking, drugs and sexual activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer the following tips for staying healthy and safe while in college:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Get enough sleep
• Get regular physical activity
• Maintain your health with checkups and vaccinations
• If you decide to have sex, practice safe sex
• Make smart choices about alcohol and drugs
• Get help if you are stressed or depressed

Physical stress from sleep deprivation, making poor eating decisions, substance abuse and more can lead to stress in relationships, classes and overall well being. Knowing who and where to look for help when feeling overwhelmed is one of the first steps to taking control. The Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health is offering free publications for college students on topics ranging from sunscreens and tanning, sexual health, depression and much more.

View and order free publications on college students’ health.

By Chris Kuhn, manager of programs at The Century Council

Back to School is an exciting time for both students and parents as they prepare for a new school year and new challenges both in and out of the classroom. It also serves as a great time to remind students about the importance of staying safe and making healthy lifestyle choices.

The Century Council’s Ask Listen Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program provides youth, ages 9-14, and their parents with information about the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

In a recent survey conducted for The Century Council, it was noted that parents are the leading influence in their kid’s decision not to drink. The survey demonstrates the importance of parents and educators starting conversations with youth early and often about the risks and consequences surrounding underage drinking.

The Ask, Listen, Learn program provides materials for parents and instructors on how to start and continue the conversation with young people. The program also offers youth the opportunity to play fun kids’ games, download printable activities, and read about Superstars like Olympian Steven Lopez, Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy, and swimming champion Rebecca Soni.

According to the 2011 Monitoring the Future Study, nearly one third of 8th graders report they have tried alcohol once in their lifetime and 15 percent report they have been drunk. In a separate study, a majority (65 percent) of today’s youth who have consumed alcohol in the past year report family and friends as the leading source from which they get alcohol.

Make no mistake, tweens know what’s going on and they’re more than just a little curious about it. So before they’re presented with the opportunity, it’s critical to give them the information they need to make the right decision. Help support them by teaching them how to say “Yes” to a healthy lifestyle and “No” to underage drinking. Make sure that either as a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you get involved.

You can order free, single copies, of the Ask, Listen, Learn brochures for parents, educators and kids. If you’re interested in distributing the brochures at school or community events, you can also order these free publications in bulk quantities.

Knowing your family health history can help you get better preventative care. Create your own history to monitor your health.

Children are often prescribed codeine for pain relief following surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning parents and caregivers to be on the lookout for possible serious side effects after giving a child codeine.

At least three children between the ages of 2 and 5 died after receiving codeine for pain relief following surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids. This danger exists for children who are “ultra-rapid metabolizers,” which means that their liver converts codeine to morphine in higher-than-normal amounts. There are tests to check for ultra-rapid metabolism.

If you give your child codeine after surgery and observe any of the following danger signs, take your child to the emergency immediately or call 911:

• Unusual sleepiness; difficult to wake up
• Disorientation or confusion
• Labored or noisy breathing
• Blueness on the lips or around the mouth

Learn more about whether or not post-surgery codeine is a risk for your child.