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?

Of all the topics and information that we have covered this semester, I found 'access to health care as a right or a privilege' to be the most impactful. This topic was impactful to me because I am guilty of taking my vast access to health care for granted. Although, I have health care coverage, I seldom go to see my primary care physician unless I become extremely ill. It saddens me to know that there are many individuals who are unfortunate and do not and have not ever had access to health care. Many do not take advantage of the public health care access because they are uninformed of the services available to the general public and even those who seek public health care are still evaluated and exam to the extent they would be if they had a primary care provider. It is difficult to believe that with the vast amount of resources available in America that we have individuals who are suffering from preventable and treatable health diseases. But on a greater scale, I have learned this semester that women as a whole are suffering worldwide because of the negligence and all of the political interference with health care issues. Women suffering from mental illnesses are embarrassed to seek treatment because of the stigma that society has placed on the disease. As future health care educators we have an enormous task ahead of us, educating the community and those in the speer of our influence about simple preventive health care and the need to receive regular health care treatment from a physician who can follow their health care progress. I will start by being a better example and seek medical attention when I am ill instead of waiting until I am in dire need of medical treatment. I will also go in for my yearly well-woman exam in the month of my birthday instead of putting it off until I have time to go to the doctor...I will begin with me!

BLOG#14 (Chapter 14, Module 15)

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

To reduce risk of assault, women should always exercise precautionary safety measures. I believe every woman should take a basic safety defense class to learn techniques to that will help in the event of attack. Women should pay more attention to their surroundings, be more observant – I am guilty of always being in a hurry and not taking time out to observe my surroundings…I too often have tunnel vision and tend to only focus on what I am doing. Women should shop early during the day and park closer to the entrance of buildings and avoid isolated areas in parking lots – this too is a challenge for me because of my work schedule and school, late night is the only time I have to do my shopping chores most of the time and I am usually alone, but I always let someone know when I am leaving and where I am going…I try to park in a well-lit area of the parking lot. When I work late at the hospital, I call security to escort me to my car in the garage although there are surveillance cameras. Women tend to be too friendly at times, especially when shopping in the grocery store, predators usually work in teams and one will distract you with conversation while the other is taking your purse out of your basket. Women should have their keys out when they approach their car to avoid having to dig around for them in the parking lot….women should also check on both sides of the car before approaching and I always look inside of my car before I get in, as soon as I get inside of my car, I immediately lock my doors, fasten my seat belt and pull away…I have observed women get in their cars and pull out their cell phones and engage in conversation…you never know who is watching! Bottom line…we, women, just need to be more attentive!

BLOG#13 (Chapter 13, Module 14)

• Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?

I think both, drug addicts should be punished for crimes they commit, however they should also be required to seek drug treatment to treat their illness – addiction. It is amazing to watch the news and learn that a repeat offender has committed yet another crime. Jail has become a revolving door…they go in and serve their time and then they are released back into society, into the same environment…many of them are homeless and unemployed…some live with relatives or friends who try to assist them until they are able to sustain themselves but since they have not been treated for the issue that causes them to commit crimes they return to the familiar and end up back in jail. I believe mandatory drug treatment in addition to jail time will assist them to seek alternatives to their deviant lifestyle. Not only does drug treatment help with their addiction, but they also help and refer them for assistance for employment and housing. Once a drug addict is delivered that is an opportunity for them to reach out to someone they know who is struggling with the addiction…each one, helps one! Putting them in jail does not help them with their drug addiction, although it should break the addiction, however once they are released and return to the same environment they return to what they know. Some repeat offenders have confessed that they repeat crimes because they know for certain when they go to jail they will have shelter, clothing and food.

BLOG#12 (Chapter 12, Module 13)

• What can be done to reduce the stigma and shame that still surround mental illness?

The stigma and shame regarding mental illness will not be reduced until society is educated about the illness. Many people were reared to believe that mental illness is a ‘taboo’ and anyone labeled such were/are shunned, ridiculed and feared. We have a great feat ahead of us as health educators, many myths to overturn and enlighten with healthcare facts. My heart goes out to individuals suffering from mood disorders, anxiety, stress and depression who are afraid to seek treatment because they fear they will be labeled as mentally ill. Well, if the truth be told, we all have some sort of mental illness…some of us just have better coping skills than others. I too, sometimes feel that I need to go to the doctor to get medication to cope because life can become overwhelming. I personally know two individuals who suffer from mental illness and they do not take their medication after they begin to feel that they can cope because they fear and are ashamed of the stigma associated with their disorders. We have watched too much television and our perceptions are so distorted…people immediately associate individuals suffering from mental illness as needing to be institutionalized in some sort of psychiatric ward or insane asylum. IGNORANCE IS BLISS!

BLOG#11 (Chapter 11, Module 11)

• What are you doing now to help assure that you age healthfully? What can you do better?

To help assure that I will age healthfully, I exercise wisdom in decision making regarding my health, finances and the rearing of my child. In regards to my health, I have to be a role model for my daughter…in hopes that she will become what she sees – when we buy groceries I read the nutrition labels and challenge my daughter to choose the healthier product. Instead of buying junk food to snack on around the house, I purchase fruits, cheese sticks, carrots, etc. When making major purchases, I shop for the best buy instead of impulse buying…I usually research the item on the internet and know exactly what I want to purchase when I visit the store. I set aside a portion of my income for future savings, I contribute to a retirement plan through my employer that is 100% matched. My daughter has a savings and checking account that I am teaching her to manage. The area where I can improve is visiting the doctor more often…I tend to not take the time out to see my doctor unless I have been extremely ill for a week…I also tend to procrastinate when it comes time to have my yearly well-woman exams, dental visits, and vision testing.

BLOG#10 (Chapter 10, Module 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 for women by providing monthly health fairs. The monthly health fairs should cover health issues that women face and provide resources for women to go to receive further treatment if necessary, such as an on campus clinic with trained counselors and nutritionists to address women’s health concerns. Academic institutions could also require that female students be required to take at least one women’s health study courses as an elective. Academic institutions could also include membership fees to a fitness center in the tuition rate that would give ALL students access to exercise in a gym.

BLOG#9 (Chapter 9, Module 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 and a healthy diet that I face is a lack of time. I have no other excuse…I just do not have enough time in the day to devote to going to the gym. In spurts, I do prepare healthy food or choose healthy food items from the cafeteria. I have membership fees deducted directly from my checking account, but I have not been to the gym in over 6 months. Over the next five years I must manage my time more efficiently to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, after completion of school I will have more time to exercise on a consistent basis. I plan to incorporate more intentional alternative exercise regimens into my daily schedule such as taking the stairs opposed to taking the elevators…parking at the far end of the parking lot, etc. I’m open for other suggestions!