Blog #15

End of semester reflection-Of the topics and information that we have covered this semester in the course, what has been the most impactful or interesting?

The most interesting topic of those covered this semester has been Violence Against Women and Occupational Health. During this topic we viewed the movie North Country, and this movie enlightened what women went through in order to be treated fairly in the work environment. This movie also encouraged the formation of a sexual harassment policy that is functional even today. This topic has been interesting to me because I work with men and their views of women can sometimes interfere with our relations as teammates. For example, they may see a task as being to big, and may require the assistance of a man. This is similar to what the women in the movie went through working in a mining environment which usually employs men. The theme for this topic is in every growing environment change is required, no matter the turmoil.

Blog #14

What can a woman do to reduce her risk of assault?

Since we are in the university, the topic of date rape as an assault is one to address. When a woman goes out on a date with someone I think it is important for her to be accompanied by girlfriends/peers and always be in an environment where prospective credible witnesses are present this will reduce her risk of assault. A woman can reduce her risk by being alert and aware of her surroundings. She should also be prepared for assault as well by carrying protection whether it is mace or pepper spray. Assault at times can be prevented, but for those instances where it can not, a woman should ask her self this question. My freshman year in college, I took woman’s self defense, and from time to time I talk to my cop friends and polish up on my moves.

Blog #13

Is it a sign of personal weakness or strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with alcohol or drugs?

It is a sign of personal strength. Women who have alcohol or drug problems usually hide it, so for someone to admit that they have a problem takes courage. Although people who have such problems are weak in handling life situations, and turn to these substances in order to "take away the pain" or avoid dealing with the real life problems. For a woman to admit something means that they have realized that there was a problem to address, and in confessing it, means that the process to recovery is on the way. Usually the farther one is into the abuse of the substance; the harder it is for them to come to the realization that there is a problem. Some abusers simply don't acknowledge there is a problem. It is definitely a true strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with alcohol or drugs.

Blog #12

What should a woman do if she has a friend whom she suspects to have an eating disorder? What if the friend denies it?

I think she should take her to Chili's to order a huge burger, and watch her eat it and make sure she doesn't go to the bathroom to purge. Just kidding! I think communication is the key to any relationship, especially a friendship. If one suspects that a friend has an eating disorder, the relationship should be open enough for the friend to address the "suspected issue". If the friend denies it, the friend should bring up substantial evidence or reasons for the suspect. Most times people with eating disorders don't like others to know about it, and since it would be a delicate subject, there should be some care in approaching the issue; for example, telling horror stories to the friend about others who have had eating disorders, to scare the wits out of them. I think informing the friend about the drastic health effects an eating disorder can have on one's health should be mentioned.

Blog #11

If everyone lived "With our future in mind," do you think that we would live different? (Different habits, behaviors, etc.)

Of course. People would not smoke, have unprotected sex, drive while drunk, or do anything that would indanger their lives. If everyone lived with "our" future in mind, things would be better for "everyone". When I eat, I think about how healthy the food is to my body. When I go outside, I avoid smoking environments, and when I encounter any relationship, I think of positive, the future and how "our" life will be betterd after meeting. I think it is good that people at a certain age take responsibility for their future, because that is what the future is. Something to look forward to with responsibility, with a great level of control based on choices, and the better choices, the better future right? Right. I understand that people just want to have fun and enjoy their lives, but there are times when one should always be considering their actions with the future in mind. The establishment of this usually occurs when one enters college, and begins to live on their own with out their parents. This is the time when teenagers/young adults should be living and always acting with their "future in mind".

Blog #10

How can academic institutions take a more active role in disease prevention for women?

Academic institutions can take a more active role in disease prevention by making health courses a requirement in the curriculum. Although health courses such as Nutrition, and Physical Education already exist, I think these courses should be geared toward the diseases that occur when one does not care for their health. With the health topic of Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer it now realized that these diseases are greatly influenced by negative lifestyle behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. If I was to implement such a course in a health related curriculum, I would magnify the after affects of the disease. I would incorporate pictures that show examples of what a healthy body looks like and what a diseased cigarette lung cancered lung looks like to create that fear of getting a PREVENTABLE disease. If it is in ones power to prevent something they should!

Blog #9

What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?

The biggest challenges to regular exercise I face on a daily basis are having enough time to exercise. I usually workout in the wellness center on campus, and I do this when I find time. I like to schedule my week around my workout sessions, but "something" usually comes up. I like to workout with someone, so if I don't take a pal along, I find it harder to complete the whole 30 to 40 minute job on the treadmill. My left knee sometimes makes exercising a challenge as well; it usually aches the day after I run. I enjoy working out, and want to continue over the next five years. If I could establish a daily morning run this would make the next five years easier and less of a challenge.

Blog #8

What bothers you most about getting old? What makes you feel good about ageing?

I believe getting old is a part of life that one (with every stage of life) must accept. I like to be physically active, so I do everything I can now to maintain my body to make sure I can still be active in during old age. I plan on using my body when I am old, and not having people carry me around, so I take care of the machine I got now. I like old people; they always make sense (at least the ones that still have their senses). I feel ageing and becoming old is a reward from the Good Lord above. I think it is good that one can grow to be old. I look forward to seeing my grand kids and great grand children. I think people become wiser as they get older, too. I would like to be known as being wise.

Blog #7

What would you tell a friend or loved one who suspected that she might have an STD but was afraid to get tested?

I would tell the friend or loved one that it is important to get tested so that she could (if she has an STD) get the proper treatment (if applicable). I would assure her that since she is sexually active, it is her responsibility to care for her body. Once she engages in any sexual activity it is the normal procedure to make sure of her total well being. I would try and alleviate her fears by telling her it is better to be safe than sorry, which is what I would tell her the moment I know she is active in the first place to prevent such fears of an STD. I talk to all my friends that are sexually active about STD disease prevention. I recommend condoms and other options of birth control and protection. The longer she waits to be tested, the more detrimental it is to her health.

Blog #6

Should prenatal testing be routine for all pregnant women?

Prenatal testing is the diagnosis of disease or condition in a fetus or embryo before it is born. The aim is to detect birth defects such as neural defects birth defects, chromosome abnormalities, genetic diseases and other conditions. I think prenatal testing can be necessary in certain cases; such as parents who are concerned about genetic issues. I think it should be routine for those women who do have the right health care; a good insurance plan usually includes this health option in the medical package. I think that prenatal testing addresses any problems or complications early, and this is best for every party (including the child). I think prenatal care is great and this testing is a form of the care doctors and other health providers wish to provide, to ensure the best quality care.

Blog #5

My thoughts on having children are simple: create the best world for your children. I think having children is one of the best events parents can share. It is part of the holy relationship between a man and woman that are married. I think both parents should be well prepared in life, meaning that both should be educated (college educated) and be emotionally, physically, and financially ready for such a task. The child’s world should basically be heavenly (warm and full of love). I do not agree with any other circumstances. People don't realize it, but children go through a lot and even in the mother's womb, they expect the best. The best life has to offer. I think this is the reason for pica, which is a mother’s desire for a specific food. Kids are picky, and they want and want, and they are worthy of the best life. I love kids, especially the chubby cuddly ones.
I think children and parents need a lot of support throughout life, from pregnancy through adulthood. Children are a part of life.

Blog #4

Sex education should definitely be taught in the nation's public schools. I think all the education on sex should be provided so that students are full knowledgeable on the topic. Most of the sexual problems today with our youth is that they are simply not educated on the topic, and without knowledge the people parish. We don't want our youth, our future, to die. So education, sex education specifically, is simply the best policy. Both abstinence only, and abstinence plus are both beneficial to the students of today. I am a personal fan of abstinence only, because I believe that some issues with abstinence plus do give students who were not thinking of having sex, the go ahead and have sex mentality. For example, if a teacher is discussing sex with a condom, and some of the students reply that they use protection, some of the other students that are not having sex, may feel that they should be having sex. I think it is good for students to really know that it is ok to not engage in sexual activity until they are ready. Sex is serious, and kids should know that first hand.

Blog #3

In response to the Self-Assessment on Preventive Practices, "I am better off!" I answered yes to 10 of the questions. The degree to which I answered some of the questions could use improvement. Such as the amount of physical activity I engage in each week. I'm active, but could be more active on a bike for example; I am usually running around to activities and running up and down the stairs in my apartment. I could eat healthier, and I just remembered that I have to go to the store and get some multi-vitamins (a habit I acquired while taking Health and Fitness); my diet does consist of eating an apple a day and strawberries here and there, and I like fresh vegetables (such as spinach), so I do pretty well as far as my diet, but there is always room for improvement. All the preventative practices mentioned I do practice, such as eating right to prevent illnesses, stretching to prevent strains, socializing with the best of friends to reduce stress, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol use.

Blog #2

Do you believe that access to health care is a right or a privilege?

I believe access to health care is a right for basic humane reasons. Reasons like persons should have the right to visit the doctor if they become ill. I think there are should be degrees to the amount of health care a person should be given. For example some people are actually ill (i.e. a viral infection) and need care, while others the more privileged, if you will, consider plastic surgery health care. There are levels of care individuals may have, but basically all citizens deserve health care, and that is to see a doctor when necessary. With some surgery procedures, an evaluation is need for one to assess if it is a basic right or privilege. But yes, I do believe that access to health care is a right. People need to be cared for, and I think that it is up to the government to provide this care to all citizen with discretion to the procedures done. For the more privileged, there should be privileged health care, and for the average citizen there should be a doctor handy to care for their health. There are some medical procedures that require more attention, but for the average medical problem, programs should be implemented to reach all citizens. The question is who is that person that would tell that sick child that health care is a privilege.

Blog #1

What health issues are you most concerned about?

The health issue I am most concerned about is overall physical fitness. I consider myself pretty fit, but I don't think just being the "right" weight is enough. My daily fitness routine consist of running up and down stairs to get to and from my apartment flat. I don't think this is enough. When I was in high school, I was on the track team, and we were required to run at least a mile every morning! Now I am responsible for my own physical well being and its not easy. So this is why physical fitness is a health concern to me. I think some of my fellow classmates can understand where I'm coming from.

I interviewed Joyce Kim who is a 42 year old Asian woman. She said that she is most concerned with heart disease and breast cancer. Her grandmother died from heart disease at the age of 65 and her aunt died from breast cancer. She comments that she is doing everything necessary to maintain her health and prevent these diseases. She believes that being physically fit and taking care of oneself is the greatest thing one can do for oneself. She also believes that eating healthy is another key factor in being healthy.

I also interviewed Flora Sanchez who is a 65 year old Hispanic woman. I've known Flora for about 3 years and she is very healthy (believe it or not, after all the wonderful food she cooks. Including tamales, enchiladas, and burritos). She believes in a proteinous diet, but she has no qualms about a vegetarian diet. She believes that her love for vegetables has helped her maintain her health. She is concerned about obesity since it runs in the family. She although is not obese, but with an extra 10 lbs. could join the team. By now she says she has evaluated her diet and knows what she can eat and do and what she can not. She agrees with me that one being physically fit is very important although she is not physically active.