What is the Heartburn Awareness Challenge?
	More than 50 million Americans suffer the symptoms of heartburn more than twice a week. Approximately 10% of Americans suffer heartburn symptoms daily and more than a third of all Americans have heartburn on at least an occasional basis. These patients have problems sleeping, enjoying their favorite meals and activities, and heartburn can make asthma worse in asthmatics, leading to a decreased quality of life. Student pharmacists and pharmacists have the ability to help the nearly 46% of patients who have improvement in their heartburn related symptoms with over the counter medications. Student pharmacists across the country have the opportunity to help heartburn sufferers live healthier and more productive lives. Help Americans Get Heartburn Smart with the Heartburn Awareness Challenge. This patient care project allows student pharmacists to work on their presentation and clinical skills while educating the public on heartburn. Student pharmacists will be able to recommend lifestyle modifications to decrease the number of episodes and the severity of heartburn, recommend OTC medications sufferers can take and refer sufferers to their physician when medical attention is needed. The Get Heartburn Smart presentations can be given at a variety of settings, from a local pharmacy, a Lion's Club, an assisted living facility, or a PTA meeting. Heartburn screenings can be held with the Get Heartburn Smart presentation or separately, at malls, local festivals or campus events.