Blog 15: End of the Semester Reflections

This semester I have learned a lot about women's health issues. Two of the most significant topics to me that we covered were: assault and HIV/AIDS issues. The HIV/AIDS is a world wide women's issue that needs to be addressed by everyone. People are dying of from this epidemic with no resources for medical treatment. Learning about women all across the globe who suffer with this disease was one of the most touching topics because all women are at risk. It doesn't matter if you live in the United States or Africa. Becoming more aware of the impact HIV has on women is crucial.

Another issue that was very informing to me was about domestic violence and the different types of abuse that women are exposed to. In our society it has almost become the norm for us to hear on the news or other media channels about a women experiencing some type of abuse. From rape to domestic violence, women are subjected to a lot of violence. So now we have to take preventative measures to insure that we are safer. Trying to choose the correct partner is also a hard task nowadays.

Overall this class has provided me with a better insight on women's issues. As a women, this knowledge with come in handy because now I am aware of different health related issues that affect our gender the most. Cardiovascular disease, assault, and other issues that affect women can all be prevented if we apply the knowledge that we have learned in this class. I've enjoyed reading everyone's blogs and I hope everyone has a safe summer!

Blog 14: Reducing Risk of Assault

I think there are many ways a woman can reduce her risk of assault. For me personally, I take several precautions when I am alone. I always have my keys out when I am walking to my car. I take them out before I leave my house or a store. Another step I take is to check underneath my car before I get in it and peak inside to make sure that there is no one in the backseat, especially at night when I'm parked in a parking lot. When at home, I make sure that the doors and windows are locked before I go to bed.

Some other measures that women can take to protect themselves are to take a self defense class to know how to defend their self in case someone tries to attack them. Another way is to have an alarm system on their home that may prevent an intruder from coming inside a woman's home. Carrying pepper spray or a stun gun is also an option for those who are comfortable with doing so. Traveling in groups is another way to protect yourself at night and staying in well lit areas also reduces the risk of attack. Asking an employee of a store or a coworker to escort you to your car is also a way to reduce the risk of assault.

A women must be aware of her surroundings to protect herself against attack. Taking some preventative measures is the best idea. It is a crazy world that we live in and we as women must protect ourselves against assault.

Blog 13: Drug Abuse

I think that it is a sign of strength for a woman to admit that she has a drug or alcohol problem. It takes a lot for a person say that they do have an issue and that they need help. One of the biggest accomplishments for a women with a habit is to seek help from a counselor or enter into a rehab program. For a person to put aside their pride and try to better themselves is a huge sign of strength. Drugs and alcohol abuse damages thousands of peoples' lives each year, and for a women to try and break that cycle; it is monumental. When a person enters into a rehabilitatory program, it shows progress and that the person has a want to change. This is a huge step in the right direction, and they should be commended for trying to get their life back on track. Family and friends should be supportive and keep hope in their hearts for the person who is struggling with an alcohol or drug problem.

Blog 12: Mental Illness

I think that several things can be done to create awareness about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma. If people are educated about different mental diseases, then they may have a more open mind about the effects of the illness. People are afraid of what is unknown to them and if they are aware that just because you may have a mental illness, it doesn't mean that they are any different than other people. Many times people are not knowledgeable about a mental illness unless a family member or someone close to them has an illness. Creating awareness of the treatments for mental illness is key for people to get an understanding of why the diseases occur and that some are even treatable.

Blog 11: Aging Healthy

What am I doing to make sure that I am aging healthfully? Right now I am focusing on correcting my eating and exercise habits. Instead of going on a diet, I am trying to focus my changing my food intake as a lifestyle change. So that I will continue eating the right things ten years from now and not fall off in a few months. I am trying to drink a lot more water instead of sodas and juices. Also I am trying to incorporate more exercise into my lifestyle. I want to make physical activity an important factor in my daily routine, but my goal is three days a week no excuses. What can I do better? Well right now controlling my portions and how much I eat is what I am trying to change currently. I know that it is going to be a hard road ahead to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into my lifestyle, but the benefits will definitely be worth it.

Blog 10: Disease Prevention

Academic institutions can take a more active role in disease prevention by creating awareness and educating young women. Some universities could create different kinds of interactive programs that inform women about certain diseases that they may not know about. Many women do not know about heart disease and how it affects thousands of women each year. Offering certain tests like mammograms or cholesterol tests may help women have access to some type of preventative care. Educating women is also an important factor for academic institutions to have a part in prevention. Passing out pamphlets or creating fliers with information pertaining to certain types of diseases will help women become aware of these diseases. As long as the information is out there and women are able to access it, either from the Student Health Services or online, academic institutions can take an active role in disease prevention.

Blog 9: Exercise and Diet Challenges

A major challenge that I face about regular exercise and a healthy diet is time. I am a full-time student, working, and trying to stay involved with school, as well as juggling the relationships in my life. So it is hard to find the energy and motivation to go the gym four times a week like I should. My days are usual very busy and even though I schedule in time to go to the gym on some days, it is hard to find that motivation to get up and go. When I have a big test coming up, exercise is usually the first thing that I erase or skip. I am a Nutrition major so I know all of the education about eating healthy but it is so hard to put that knowledge to use when I have a limited amount of time to prepare healthy meals. Even making healthy choices about food is hard when there are so many food choices out there that are not healthy. Discipline is going to be my biggest challenge over the next five years to keeping a healthy diet and exercise. I have to keep myself motivated to making better decisions about my health. And that is going to be hard!

Blog#8: Staying Young

I think that Americans always want to "stay young" because of the perception of death that our culture has. Anti-wrinkle cream, botox, and other creams that protect against ageing are a million dollar business that helps women try to stop the ageing process. Somehow these treatments will help a woman stop the effects of ageing. In my opinion, American culture most of the time does not respect the older generations and do not appreciate the fact that the older you get brings wisdom and other delights. The concept of a "fountain of youth" that will bring youth to someone did not just come about for nothing. Some people really do not want to accept ageing. Accepting that one is going to die is a big issue in our culture. If people can't come to terms with death, then they want to prolong it for as long as possible. The appearance of crows feet and wrinkles are signs that someone maybe over the hill and people want to hide from it.

Blog #7:

If I had a friend or loved one who was afraid to get tested for a sexually transmitted disease, I would try to encourage her to get tested. I would offer her my support by going with her to get tested or help find her a clinic that offers testing. Also I would remind her of the risks associated with not knowing. Some sexually transmitted diseases are curable, but if left untreated they can cause serious harm to your body. Being supportive and non-judgemental is the best way to help someone who is afraid of testing. For some people, getting testing is a hard thing to do but in the end it must be done.

Blog #6: Prenatal Testing

I believe that prenatal testing should be available and required for all women who are pregnant. The benefits of prenatal testing are astounding. Simple sonograms can detect problems that the fetus may have early on, so that the child will be able to have a chance to fix the problem. Doctor visits can screen soon-to-be mothers for conditions that will effect the baby and the mother. For example, if it is found that the mother has gestational diabetes, the doctor may be able to prevent the condition from worsening. From a monetary standpoint, most of the time it is less expensive to treat a problem in the early stages than waiting until the child is born. There would be more expensive treatments to cure the ailment when the child is born. On the other hand, early detection helps prepare the parents if there is actually developmental issues with the child. Prenatal testing should be available to all pregnant women to protect their unborn children. Hospitals still have the responsibility to take care of sick babies when they are born. Testing will help keep babies healthy and cost down.

My Thoughts on Having Children

In the future, I want to have children. I want to finish school before I have children. Since I plan on going to medical school or another type or professional program, I would like to wait to wait atleast five years from now to start having children. Graduate education can be very time consuming and I want to devote as much time as I can to my kids. Being married before I have children is very important to me. I want to be able to provide my children with a stable home. My children having both parents around is crucial to me. For most of my life, I grew up in a single parent household and I know what a struggle it can be for a single mother. I think having children is a wonderful experience and that kids can bring a lot of joy into your life. Personally, I want to be ready for the responsibilty and that time is not in the near future.

Sex Ed in Schools

Sex education should be taught in the nation's public high schools. I think it should be mandatory that adolescences be exposed to the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescents should know about the different kinds of viruses and infections, and how they are transmitted through people. Curriculums should have both methods of education, like abstinence-plus. Teenagers should be made aware of the benefits of abstaining, and they should be taught ways to protect themselves, if they do choose to have sex.

Teenagers are going to make their own choices about if they have sex or if they don't. We as a society need to educate our youth, so they can make the best informed decision for themselves. Sometimes the best way for some teens to learn is by making their own mistakes. Like your mother telling you the stove is hot, but you don't believe her until you burn your hand. If health educators give students the information they need to make the right choices, hopefully teenagers will listen and protect themselves.

I believe that both sides of sex education can be taught without advocating students to go out and have sex. There have been cases at some high schools were a large section of the student population has been infected by an STD. Knowledge is important when it comes to youth knowing about sex. They are going to have to learn about it sometime.

How to Encourage Adolescents to Have Heathy Behaviors

In today's society healthy behaviors are not very common among adolescents. I believe there are ways that society as a whole can encourage teenagers to have healthy behaviors. Parents, health educators, and the media can influence they way adolescents treat their bodies. Healthy habits start in the home. If parents teach their children to incorporate healthier foods into their diet, they will be able to make better choices on their own. For example, my father grew up in a household where there were not many sweets, such as cakes, cookies, etc., so as a child he did not have them very often. Now as an adult, my father rarely eats sugary foods.

In school, physical activity should be allowed among all students. I know in high school after my sophomore year it was not required for students to take phys ed. So if schools encourage students to take up different sports or other types of activity, students can stay active. Maybe offering different types of exercise would help students become more involved in physical activity. Adding recreation like, intramural clubs or Pilate's during P.E., may be beneficial to students.

Ultimately, encouraging adolescents to follow healthy behaviors should be taken on by a team approach. It will take health care provider, educators, and parents to help them make the right choices when it comes to their health. Media influences are always going to surround adolescents and some of the images may be helpful or discouraging. I believe it will take a community effort to help adolescents with healthy behaviors.

Healthcare: A Right or Privilege?

I believe that access to healthcare should be a right. In our society, we have so many medical advances and cures for diseases that no one should be suffering from ailments that can easily be cured. It is a fundamental right for human beings to be able to be treated at a hospital without wondering how they will pay for it. The government says that free healthcare is a costly approach and that the private sector can better fund and manage helath care. With the free-market approach, healthcare providers are allowed to raise prices whenever they want. Many families cannot afford to buy insurance policies for their children and themselves. These families are struggling to cover basic living costs. Over 70 million people in the United States are unisured.

If the government controlled healthcare, salaries of healthcare professional would be lower than what they make now. There has to be a way to reform healthcare so that it is a near-win-win situation for health care providers and consumers.

Cancer: A Major Concern

I interviewed a few women and asked each women what was their major health concern. Cancer was one of the health issues that all of the women had in common, including myself. As an African American female, there are certain health issues that I am concerned about, such as breast cancer. Breast cancer strikes all women of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures. Every woman is at risk for this type of cancer. It kills thousands of women each year, and a cure is not available at the moment. The treatments for breast cancer include, chemotherapy and certain kinds of medications. These treatments are very hard on the human body and puts the person through vasts amounts of pain. Personally, breast cancer has affected my family. Since both my grandmother and aunt have had breast cancer, I know it puts me at a higher risk than other women. My grandmother died from the cancer and my aunt, who was recently diagnosed, is still fighting the disease.

Until a cure is found, breast cancer will continue to be a major concern of all women. Breast cancer can strike any woman, regardless of race, creed, or culture, and even if there is no family history. Almost every women knows of, or personally knows someone who has been affected by this type of cancer.