NEW OCHD INTERACTIVE CAMPAIGN ALLOWS STUDENTS TO
“ASK A HEALTH EDUCATOR” IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH QUESTIONS!

Students can ask questions & receive answers from our health professionals via social media
(Toms River) – Have a public health question? Just “Ask a Health Educator.” That’s what the
Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) is calling its new educational campaign that provides
children or students the opportunity to ask our experts questions they have regarding any public
health topic.

“The Ocean County Health Department learned that the COVID-19 pandemic has students and
children extremely interested in not only the issues surrounding COVID-19, but also a variety of
other public health issues as well,” said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the
Ocean County Board of Health. “That’s why we’re excited to unveil the “Ask a Health
Educator” campaign. Now children have direct access to the professionals that work in the public
health field every day.”

Late summer typically has the OCHD public health team gearing up for the school year by
scheduling an assortment of educational programs for K-12 students in the classroom. However,
the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed or cancelled many of those dates until further notice.

“The programs and topics we discussed in the classroom focused on so many different public
health issues that were relevant to students of all ages,” explained, Daniel Regenye, OCHD
Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “With the pandemic, we’ve had to amend our school
program strategies and find ways to improvise while still providing key public health education
for children. We believe the new “Ask a Health Educator” campaign will satisfy some of that
need.”

Regenye continued by pointing out that any public health question children have is welcome.
Maybe it’s a COVID-19 related question such as hand washing or wearing a mask. Someone
may be interested to learn more about the flu or other diseases, bullying, internet safety, smoking
or depression. The OCHD health educators will get them the answers they need.

How does it work? It’s simple. Children or their parents can ask a question on the OCHD
Facebook page or email the question to healthed@ochd.org . The students question will be
featured in a video post on Facebook where the health educator will provide the answer. A new
video segment will be posted on Facebook every Friday and spotlight new questions. It’s just
that easy!

“The “Ask a Health Educator” campaign can be used by children curious about public health
topics or teachers can use it as a classroom resource or project,” Regenye said. “It's educational,
it's interactive, and it's fun. The OCHD is pleased to offer the “Ask a Health Educator” campaign and we’re optimistic children will enjoy this new and exciting learning tool.”

The OCHD recommends children to always seek permission from a parent before using the
internet or accessing any social media website. For more information regarding “Ask a Health
Educator,” please visit our website at www.ochd.org .