MSU's health advocates will spend next semester focused on women's health issues.

The advocates - students working with Olin Health Center's Community Action Team - are working on four new programs to launch in January.

The programs will be on date rape, body image, pelvic examinations and emergency contraception.

Health advocates for the team have been working this semester to present their programs as part of MSU's Women's Healthy Sexuality Month, said Beth Weaver, mentor for the Community Action Team.

"Our mission is to speak as a student representative on health and safety issues," Weaver said.

The health advocacy program has been a part of the university since 1986, but the Community Action Team wasn't established until 1996, she said.

In past years the group has focused on variety of issues, including athletics and the responsibilities of bar employees, Weaver said.

The students work to develop their own projects and help each other carry out the programs. Health advocate Suzanne Stelzer said the group's interaction plays a key role in how the issues impact the community.

"We know what's going on with each other's projects," said Stelzer, a dietetics senior. "Everyone is passionate about their issue."

The students use statistical data to help develop the programs, which often come from a health area they have a particular interest in. Most of the data comes from the 2002 National Collegiate Health Assessment Survey.

"We don't just pick something randomly," Stelzer said.

Medical technology freshman Gina Degregorio said advocates help students learn more about issues they might not be paying attention to.

"It opens people's eyes up a little more," she said. "I know a lot about that stuff, but to people that don't, I think it's important."

Stelzer's program on body image was inspired by Respecting and Understanding Body Image group meetings she has attended.

"I see what a huge problem body image is," she said. "The more negative perception of your body, the more negative you will feel about it. It can affect you in so many ways."

Stelzer has created information packets for mentors to use on their dorm floors.

Other health advocates are distributing coasters and pamphlets to spread information about their projects to the community.

"We wanted to do something to expand out, where people are almost getting flooded with information," Weaver said.