ESU Communication Sciences and Disorders Department Invites Community to Participate in 5K Run/Walk

To commemorate National Dysphagia Awareness Month students, faculty, and staff in East Stroudsburg University’s department of communication sciences and disorders invite the public to participate in the Annual Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) 5K Run/Walk. The run can be completed virtually June 19 – 25, or with members of the ESU community on Friday, June 24 at 10 a.m. The race will begin at Monroe Hall (number 25 on the campus map.)

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that affects 1 in 25 adults in the United States. It is a symptom of an underlying medical condition that can result in devastating health consequences such as dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, death, reduced quality of life, decreased rehabilitation potential, increased length of hospital stay, increased health care cost and social isolation.

ESU communication sciences and disorders students and faculty recently completed a community outreach initiative called the Dysphagia Warriors Program (DWP) which aimed to create awareness about dysphagia to senior citizens in Monroe County. The DWP program was funded as a research study through the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Faculty Professional Development Grant. Currently, the department is testing the efficacy of its dysphagia community education outreach to promote early identification and early intervention in our community. They hope this 5k will continue to help them bring community awareness about dysphagia.

To register or make a donation go to https://runsignup.com/CorporateTeams/128635/25294 and register with the ESU Dysphagia Warriors Team. For more information please contact Akila T. Rajappa, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, (570) 422-3682 or email arajappa@esu.edu.

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