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.