Blog #14

Sadly, every year there are thousands of assaults on women that occur around the world and I am thankful that it has never happened to me. There are many ways that women can reduce their risk of assault. These ways include being aware of your surroundings, inform someone of your whereabouts when you go out, park in a well lit area, carry pepper spray, keep your home doors locked, keep your car doors locked, do not talk to strangers, leave lights on in your home when you are away, have keys ready to enter car/ home, do not walk to car alone, and make sure the outside of your home is well lit. These prevention methods work and can potentially prevent you from being assaulted.

Blog #13

I believe that both options of jail or a mandatory drug treatment program for drug addicts is a great idea. Sometimes I believe that jail is the best option for drug addicts especially when they are harming another life in the mist of their drug addiction. I do believe that it is their decision whether they want to get help, but sometimes in order for things to change they need to be forced. If we want the streets to be drug free then we have to eliminate the amount of drug addicts who are keeping the drug dealers in business.
I feel that mandatory drug treatment programs is a great idea when their are children involved because many times people are abusing drugs as parents. I believe in these cases that the children should be removed and not given back to the parents until a mandatory drug treatment programs is completed. If a person is not harming anyone in the mist of their drug abuse then it is definitely their choice to want to change. Many people who have an addiction to drugs, have an underlying issue that has occurred in their life. I have never experimented with drugs because I know the outcome, but also I do not think that it is necessary. I wish that everyone felt the same way, but unfortunately some people are not strong enough to resist them. Drug abuse is something that has become more and more of an issue in the United States as well as across the world. I just hope that one day we can resolve the issues and keep the younger generations from experimenting with drugs.

Blog #12

I feel that educating people about the different mental illnesses that are affecting many people is the best way to reduce the stigma and shame about mental illnesses. Many people feel that people who have mental illnesses are crazy, but they do not understand that many times it is a chemical imbalance. I feel we should all respect everyone despite their difference. I have encountered someone who was schizophrenic and I was surprised by the things that they go through . I also knew someone who was bipolar and It saddened me how she reacted to her loved ones when she was going through a episode. I want to be educated about the different mental illnesses so that I can educate others. I feel very sad for the people who suffer from these illnesses and I hope one day that people will learn to not judge people for their illnesses.

Blog 11

If everyone lived with our futures in mind I do believe that we would all live with differently. I definitely would live different because I would make it a habit to exercise regularly and eat a healthier diet. I am so stuck in my ways of not eating the most healthy foods and I am trying to work on this habit. We all have bad habits whether it is not eating a balanced diet, smoking, or living a sedentary lifestyle. Once you have created bad habits it is very difficult to break these habits because it is so easy to continue doing what you are comfortable doing rather than doing something that you do not normally do. I wish that I was raised to eat healthier and to exercise regularly because habits start when you are young. I feel that if we all thought about our future more we would realize that what we do in the present as far as our health, it will affect our future health. Our health is very important, but we often do not realize this until it is too late. many Americans are dealing with different chronic diseases that are caused by the bad habits that were not corrected. I do want to correct my habits and think about my future as well as my future health!

Blog 10

When I learned that heart disease is prevalent among women, I was very surprised. I would have thought that cancer would be the number one killer among women because you here more about breast and cervical cancer in women. The unhealthy lifestyle that we live is definitely a very common factor that contributes to heart disease in women.

I feel that academic institutions can promote more physical activities on the campus. Some of the activities that can be promoted are boot camps, intramural sports, physical activity competitions, aerobics classes, more advertisements of personal training, and campaigns about getting fit. I feel that if they did a voluntary campus studies and physical assessments among the students that many students will realize that their physical fitness as well as diet relates to the development of heart disease. I believe that heart disease information sessions can be successful in educating people about the seriousness of this deadly disease.

Heart disease does not run in my family, but anyone can develop this disease. I am currently working on developing a healthier lifestyle. I hope to change my diet and physical activity so that I can reduce the chances of developing heart disease. We should all be aware of this disease and take it seriously.

Blog # 9

My biggest challenges in exercising daily and eating a healthy diet is time. I am a full time student and I also work long hours daily. It is difficult for me to make time to exercise , cook a healthy meal and do my school assignments daily when I get home from work at 7:30 pm everyday. I try to make time for these things, but many days I am exhausted and more worried about doing my assignments then exercising. I know that I need to exercise and eat healthy, but I have a hard time using the little time I have wisely. I have wanted to join a gym, but that is difficult also because again I have a hard time making time to go as well as paying for the expensive cost. I could at least do better at eating more healthy because I can take a healthy lunch and come home and cook a healthier dinner while doing my assignments. Even though I have more time to eat healthier, I feel like many of the healthier foods are more expensive.

In five years, I can definitely see myself living a healthier lifestyle. I believe that it will be easier and more affordable for me to join a gym. I feel that I will need to be in better shape because I will need to be fit and healthy for my future in nursing. I am going to need to be energized and strong so that I can give the best care to my patients without tiring out too fast. I really believe time will always be an issue with my future in nursing,but I feel that it will definitely be easier than it is now!!!!

Blog # 8

I interviewed my mom about what she is experiencing in her menopause stage. She has gone into menopause early because she had a mandatory hysterectomy last year. She said she has not had a bad menopause experience. The only thing she mentioned that she has been experiencing is hot flashes. She said she is very uncomfortable when she has her hot flash episodes because she sweat and seems to not be able to cool off. She actually accepts the fact that she is taking hormone replacement pills because she does not want to lose what is naturally in her body. She feels that she has already had a hysterectomy so her body is not the same. She believes in taking the hormone pills to replenish the natural hormones that the female body produces. Personally Iwould take the hormone pills if I had a hysterectomy and if I was going through menopause. I feel that it is important to have the hormones to regulate your body as well as your emotions. Everybody has a different reaction to hormones so this is definitely a individual decision for each person.

Blog # 7

If I had a friend who felt they were infected with a sexually transmitted disease, I would definitely encourage he/she to get tested. I would explain to them that getting early treatment for STDs can decrease the chances of further problems that can be a result of the STD. I would discuss that the STD can affect not only his/her life,but their next partner's life as well as their future children's life. I would explain that not getting medical attention for a STD can lead to sterility and death. I would also inform them that it is better to know and treat it then not to know.

I would definitely be there for my friend and go with them to the doctor to get tested. STDs are very scary and can be life changing, but many of them can be treated. I feel that we should all take measures to prevent as well as getting tested annually so that we have the opportunity to stop the progression of disease before it becomes more serious.

Blog #6

I feel that children are gifts to every parent who chooses to have them. At this point in my life I do choose not to have children because I am still in school. I am only 23 years old and I feel like I want to be a little older before i make that huge step in my life. I would rather be stable, married, and financially capable of caring for a child. I would like to see myself married before I have children because I want my children to grow up with both parents present. I currently work at a childcare facility for children with special needs and I love children dearly. I see a lot of young mothers and I see how hard it is for them. They are trying to put themselves through school, work, and take care of their children. I feel like having children is a huge responsibility and not just something that should be taken lightly. I actually feel scared when I think about the fact of having children at my age because I would be responsible for not just myself, but the life of an innocent child also. My mom was a young mother and she always expressed to me that children should come when I have accomplished all of my goals. I want my children to be well taken care of and I do not want to struggle to take care of them. I respect everyone who has children and who were young mothers. I personally do not know how I would handle becoming a mother at this time in my life. But if it happens then I will do anything and everything to take care of my child regardless of where I am in my life. I hope that when I have children, I will give them a very nurturing and loving home that will impact their lives forever.

In some cultures and religions, birth control/contraception is not accepted. Many cultures believe that it is giving people a reason to have premarital sex. Many people believe that it is like having an abortion. Some people think that a child is a gift from God and that we should not prevent ourselves from having them.
I personally believe that contraception is a person's right and personal decision because a married couple may not be financially stable or ready for a child. I rather someone prevent themselves from having a child rather than have one and not take proper care of the child. I understand that many cultures have their beliefs and I totally respect that.
In my family, birth control/contraception is accepted because they do not want me or any other family members to have children that we are not able to care for properly. They do not condone premarital sex but they feel if it happens then we should use protection as well as contraception to prevent diseases and premature motherhood.

Blog #4

When I went through menarche, I was 10 years old and in the fifth grade. I was very surprised when it happened and I was in denial. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and scared because I did not know how to handle it. I was very embarrassed because my whole family found out. It was not a positive experience nor a negative experience for me personally. My family was very happy about it. I felt ashamed because my friends went through menarche at a later age than I did. Even though I learned about the menarche in elementary school, I still felt very unprepared.
I feel that educating girls about their body is very important because many times we do not understand how a woman's body functions.Today I feel that going through menarche is a gift because without it we would not be able to bear children.

Blog # 3

I would rate my preventive practice a 9 out of 10 because I practice many of the preventive methods that were listed on page 84 of the book. I feel that I can improve my overall health by exercising regularly at least four times a week and eating a more balanced diet. If I improve these two things in my lifestyle I would be a much healthier person because I would not get sick as often. I also would not develop the many diseases that result from poor diet and exercise. I already implement getting adequate amounts of sleep, avoiding the use of tobacco/drug use, using alcohol in moderation, wearing my seat belt, not driving under the influence of alcohol, not riding with someone under the influence of alcohol, resolving conflicts in a nonviolent manner, and receiving routine preventive care yearly from my health care provider. I have small areas that I need to improve that I am currently working on because high blood pressure is in my family medical history. If I can get my exercising and diet under control, I will be at less risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. I am happy to see that I answered "Yes" to majority of the preventive practices because it shows me that I am on my way to healthier living.

Blog # 2

Blog#2
Do you believe that access to healthcare is a right or privilege?

I believe that access to healthcare is a right. It breaks my heart when I see sick people who cannot afford treatment because they do not have healthcare. I believe it is especially important for children to have health care because they have no control over having healthcare or not having healthcare. I think that everyone is equal and deserve the right to have healthcare whether they can afford it or not so that everyone has a fair chance at a healthy life. When people do not have healthcare it increases their risks of many different preventable diseases. Many people who do not have healthcare will not go for routine check-ups like someone with healthcare because of their inability to pay for their doctor’s visit. If everyone was provided healthcare no matter their socioeconomic status, race, religion, or employment status, then I truly believe that there would be healthier people with healthier lifestyles.

Blog #1

The health issues that concerns me the most are HIV/AIDS and obesity. HIV/AIDS is a health issue that concerns me because I did a community needs assessment on African American females in Dallas County last semester. In my research, I found that African American women in Dallas County are contracting HIV/AIDS at a rapid rate. Being an African American woman, this concerns me because the women around my age range (23- 34) are contracting this virus at a higher rate than any age range. HIV/AIDS is one of the #1 killers of African American women. I also work at a non-profit childcare facility for families who are infected/affected by HIV/AIDS and I see the affects that it has on these families.
Obesity is another health issue that concerns me because obesity is beginning to become a gateway for many other health risks like hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease which can all lead to death. I feel like exercising and healthy diets should be something that should be instilled in everyone as a child because these days children already have bad eating habits. I feel that if children grow up with better eating habits and exercise routines it will solve the many issues of obesity as an adult.

I interviewed my 43 yr. old mother, who said the health issue that concern her the most is cancer. She said that cancer is becoming something that is taking the lives and changing the lives of many women in her age range and younger. She has had a church member who died last month from breast cancer at 34 yrs old and it has woke her up about how important routine check ups are.

I also interviewed my 30 yr. old co-worker who said depression is her major health concern because so many women suffer from it. She has known women who have suffered from post partum depression and seen how hard it was for them to do everyday things. She feels that depression is something she worries will cause many different problems in women for a long time.

The health issues that concern me are so different from the health issues that concerned my interviewees because they were concerned about depression and cancer, but we all were concerned about the health issues in women as a whole.