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!

BLOG#8 (Chapter 8, Module 8)

• Why do we try to stay "looking young" for as long as possible? Why are we so concerned with the signs of ageing: getting grey hair, wrinkles, loose skin, etc?

I believe we ‘fear’ ageing because of the negative stigma society has placed on beauty. Firstly, we have a misconception as it relates to beauty. One is deemed beautiful if they remain physically fit and portray the image of a runway model 24-hours a day. Secondly, as women, we over consume ourselves with worry about getting grey hair, wrinkles, loose skin and such because we have chose to delay marriage until we have achieved ‘success’ status in our career. So we have our hair dyed every six weeks, have regular botox injections, contemplate tummy tucks, breast lifts and liposuction, not only for self-gratification, but to appear attractive to others. Lastly, some of us are just VAIN! Our latter years of life should be a time when we can sit back, reflect, enjoy and share with our loved ones about our life experiences…not a time regretting all the wasted attempts to delay the natural ageing process.

The common practice of keeping up appearances
with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.
John Ruskin

BLOG#7 (Chapter 7, Module 7)

• Many people equate STDs with immorality, promiscuous behavior and low social status. What are you thoughts on this statement?
  

STDs has no respect of person! Therefore anyone, whether they be married, single, promiscuous, faithful, a priest or a minister, that engages in sexual contact with an infected individual can contract the disease. This stigma that society has developed about the transmission/contraction of STDs can bring harm to uneducated individuals (in regards to healthcare) that believe only those who are promiscuous and poor are susceptible to these type of diseases. Anyone who has sexual contact with an individual is also having sexual contact with everyone that individual has engaged in sexual contact with. In some cases, individuals unknowingly pass along STDs and they do not know they are infected. As future healthcare educators, we need to emphasis that it can happen to YOU too! It can happen to you when you engage in unprotected sexual activity or protected sexual activity and have skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual! It can happen to you if you do not become wise and continue to be fooled by the misconception that only a certain class of individuals contract STDs! It can happen to you if you fail to take responsibility for your own health!

It can happen to YOU too!

BLOG#6 (Chapter 6, Module 6)

• Should prenatal testing be routine for all pregnant women?

Yes, I believe prenatal testing should be routine for all pregnant women, however I do not believe that prenatal testing should be mandatory! One year before I gave birth to my daughter, my first cousin and his wife gave birth to a daughter who has Down’s syndrome. When my obstetrician discovered this information on my patient history form, he immediately wanted me to have an amniocentesis to detect if there were any abnormalities with my child and if so, he stated, “You can have an abortion” - I was LIVID! I refused to have the test performed because I would not have aborted my child even if I knew she had Down’s syndrome. For two months, my obstetrician literally tortured me to have the testing done and it was not until I threatened to report him to have his medical license revoked that he backed off. Test results are not 100% accurate! I cannot begin to imagine all of the women who may have been in this situation and possibly aborted their babies because of false positive test results. My cousin and his wife have had two other children that they were told, after amniocentesis testing, tested positive for Down’s syndrome, neither were born with the disease. To this day, I am glad that I followed my intuitions and opted not to follow through with the recommended amniocentesis testing. During my pregnancy, I had two ultrasounds that indicated that I was carrying a boy…on December 14, 1992 I gave birth to a baby girl. The walls in her nursery were painted blue, I had three baby showers…received ALL boy clothes, blue stroller, blue blankets, etc.. His name was going to be Kristopher - approximately week after I gave birth, I’ll never forget it (December 24, 1992), I was in the mall experiencing discomfort from my caesarian incision, exchanging baby clothes…LOL!

Despite my past experiences and as a future healthcare educator, I would encourage women to make an educated decision based on their personal/family medical history and their personal beliefs.

BLOG#5 (Chapter 5, Module 5)

• In what ways could someone’s culture, beliefs and practices influence contraceptive decision making?
  
  One’s cultural and religious beliefs have a great influence on the decisions women make about contraceptives. I state ‘women’ because it is usually up to the woman to take the necessary precautions regarding birth control, especially in my culture - I am African-American where the majority of the women take birth control pills, injections or Norplants. Although, birth control is discussed between the couple, it is the woman who is responsible for taking the birth control pills, ensuring that she has adequate refills and/or makes her appointment for the next scheduled injection. I am also Protestant and I have been reared and taught according to the bible that ‘we should be fruitful and multiply’ (Genesis 9:1-7) – which has been interpreted as contraceptives such as birth control pills, Norplants, injections, etc. are not acceptable. Since these types of effective birth control methods are not acceptable, many women are embarrassed to admit that they use any of these contraceptives. Note the different religious based views and some modern misconceptions regarding contraceptives listed on Wikipedia’s website:
  
  Religions vary widely in their views of the ethics of birth control. In Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church accepts only Natural Family Planning,[20] while Protestants maintain a wide range of views from allowing none to very lenient.[21] Views in Judaism range from the stricter Orthodox sect to the more relaxed Reformed sect.[22] In Islam, contraceptives are allowed if they do not threaten health or lead to sterilty, although their use is sometimes discouraged.[23] Hindus may use both natural and artificial contraceptives.[24]
  
  Modern misconceptions and urban legends have given rise to a great deal of false claims:
  
  ~~The suggestion that douching immediately following intercourse works as a contraceptive is untrue. While it may seem like a sensible idea to try to wash the ejaculate out of the vagina, it does not work. Due to the nature of the fluids and the structure of the female reproductive tract–if anything, douching spreads semen further towards the uterus. Some slight spermicidal effect may occur if the douche solution is particularly acidic, but overall it is not scientifically observed to be a reliably effective method.
  
  ~~The suggestion to shake a bottle of Coca-Cola and insert it into the vagina after ejaculation is not a form of birth control, it does not prevent pregnancy, and doing this can also promote candidiasis (yeast infections).
  
  ~~It is a myth that a female cannot get pregnant the first time she engages in sexual intercourse.
  
  ~~While women are usually less fertile for the first few days of menstruation,[11] it is a myth that a woman cannot get pregnant if she has sex during her period.
  
  ~~Having sex in a hot tub does not prevent pregnancy, but may contribute to vaginal infections.
  
  ~~Although some sex positions may encourage pregnancy, no sexual positions prevent pregnancy. Having sex while standing up or with a woman on top will not keep the sperm from entering the uterus. The force of ejaculation, the contractions of the uterus caused by prostaglandins[citation needed] in the semen, as well as ability of sperm to swim overrides gravity.
  
  ~~Sneezing or urinating after sex are also completely ineffective, they do not prevent pregnancy and are not forms of birth control.
  
  ~~Toothpaste cannot be used as an effective contraceptive[12]
  
  

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Religious and cultural

attitudes. Retrieved February 9, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control#Religious_and_cultural_attitudes

BLOG#4 (Chapter 4, Module 4)

• 
  When you went through menarche (first menstrual cycle), was it a positive experience that was celebrated by you or your family? Or was it a negative experience (shame, embarrassment, fear, etc)

When I went through my first menstrual cycle it was during the summer, I was away from home visiting with my grandmother in Louisiana. I was about to start the 6th grade and it was no big deal to me, but my grandmother was excited and told me I was now a ‘lady’! She got on the telephone and commenced to telling everyone she spoke with within the next few days that her granddaughter had gotten her period!! I was somewhat embarrassed because I am a very private person and I did not believe EVERYONE needed to know that I had started my period. She gave me 10 cents to go to the corner store (Hudson’s) to buy whatever I wanted…that was the most exciting part for me! At the time, I did not understand why she gave me money but now, several hundred years and one daughter later…I now understand that menarche is a milestone in a young girl’s life that should be welcomed and celebrated. This initial change in a young girl’s life marks the journey of many health changes regarding her body and it is the perfect opportunity to begin a never-ending open discussion about any and everything. Wikipedia’s website listed (see below) how different cultures in past have had rites of passage for a girl experiencing menarche:

Rites of passage

• In the U.S.A., rites of passage are rare since girls are taught to keep aspects of sexual development private. However, some families change that by giving the girl a card of congratulations, or even a candle lit ceremony.
  
• The Navajo Indians had a celebration called kinaalda (kinn-all-duh). Girls run footraces to show strength. A cornmeal pudding is made for the tribe to taste. The girls who experience menarche wear special clothes and style their hair like the Navajo goddess "Changing Woman".
  
• The Nootka Indians thought menarche was a time for a physical strength test. The girl is taken out to sea and left there. She is to swim back and when she returns to the shore of the village, she is cheered.
  
• The Mescalero Apaches consider their menarche celebration the most important. Each year, an 8-day-long ceremony is celebrated in honor of each girl who began their period that year. The first 4 days include of feasting and dancing. Boy singers recount the history of the tribe each evening. The other four days are a private celebration where girls have a private ceremony, reflecting on passing into womanhood.
  
• In Australia, the Aborigines treated a girl to "love magic". The women teach her of the female powers and the physical changes marking womanhood.
  
• When a Japanese girl gets her period, the family celebrates by eating red colored rice and beans.
  
• The Ulithi (oo-lith-ee) tribe of Micronesia call a girl's menarche kufar (koo-faar). She goes to a menstrual house where the women bathe her and recite spells. The girl will go back to the menstrual house when her next period comes.
  
• In Nigeria in the Tiv tribe, four lines are cut in her abdomen, being thought to make her a woman and more fertile.
  
• Sri Lanka notes the time and day. An astrologer is contacted, who studies the star's alignment at the noted moment. This is done to predict the girl's future. Her house is prepared for a ritual bathing, where the girl is scrubbed all over by the women of the family. She then is dressed in white. Printed invites for a party are sent out, where the girl receives money and special gifts.

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Menarche. Retrieved February 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menarche

BLOG#3 (Chapter 3, Module 3)

• Read the self-assessment on pg 84. How would you rate your “preventive practices?” What are some ways in which you can improve your health? What preventative practices do you already implement?
  

Based on the self-assessment, my “preventive practices” rate is in the eighty percentile. I can improve my health by exercising more and getting more sleep. I tend to use my work and personal schedules as reason to justify my not having time to go to the gym and exercise. However, instead of using the interoffice mail at work I personally deliver documents, I take the stairs instead of using the elevator and when I shop on the weekends, I park at the far end of the parking lot and on the opposite end of the mall from the stores I intend to visit. I do not have a solution for my lack of sleep right now because I work full-time and I do the majority of my reading at night after I arrive home from work and finish my household chores. Not only do I keep late hours, but I get up before 6 a.m. everyday, including the weekends. I go to the hair salon every Saturday morning and Sunday is devoted for church. However, I usually take a nap on Saturday and Sunday evenings around 4 p.m. for a couple of hours. I am really concerned about my lack of sleep…during the day I have to eat light because around 2 p.m. I get very sleepy. I’m open for suggestions!

BLOG#2 (Chapter 2, Module 2)

• Do you believe that access to healthcare is a right or a privilege?
  
  I believe that access to healthcare is a right, but realistically it seems to be a privilege because the majority of Americans cannot afford healthcare. In the article “ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE”, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa states, “Something is wrong when 45 million Americans – eight out of 10 of them in working families – can’t afford even basic health insurance.” The majority of the less fortunate that are uninsured are minorities, which is the same population that is affected by healthcares diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Due to America’s, despite our abundance of resources, inability to provide basic healthcare, Senator Tom Harkin reports there is an “overuse of emergency rooms, treatment of chronic conditions, and uncompensated care cost U.S. taxpayers billions each year. In addition, access to health care coverage saves money in the long run”. Since it is a proven fact that preventive healthcare saves money and access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege, why then, are there still millions of Americans that do not have access to basic healthcare? I have met many young pregnant women who did not receive prenatal care because they could not afford it and as a consequence they have sickly children that are constantly in and out of the emergency room, thus increasing our already inflated taxes.
  
  HEALTHCARE ACCESS: A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE by Senator Tom Harkin
  
  Source
  Harkin, Senator Tom. (2005). Column. HEALTH CARE ACCESS: A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from http://harkin.senate.gov/column.cfm?id=236988

BLOG#1 (Chapter 1, Module 1)

• What health issues are you most concerned about? Why? Interview 2-3 women (different ages, ethnicities and/or cultures if possible) and ask them the same question. Are your concerns similar or different? Explain.
  
  The health issues that most concern me are obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease because they are heredity in my family. My father and mother suffer with diabetes and hypertension. My father’s parents are both deceased and both died from congestive heart failure. My mother’s father smoked all of his life and died from lung cancer four years ago. All of my uncles and aunts suffer from hypertension and/or diabetes. Obesity is also prevalent on both sides of my family. My parents combined take over 15 different types of medication to help remedy their health ailments. I decided a few years ago after my father was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with diabetes to put an end to the generational CURSE! My goal, after completion of this online health studies program, is to go out and educate the African American community about healthy lifestyles.
  
  Brittany M. (13 year old/Hispanic): most concerned about obesity because the majority of her family is overweight. Brittany’s concern with obesity is similar to mine in that she fears what may happen to her in the future if she does not make a conscious decision to choose an alternate lifestyle to be healthy.
  Lai N. (21 year old/Asian): most concerned about being overweight, however Lai is not overweight. Lai’s concern differs from mine because she is focused on portraying an unhealthy body image that society has deemed as the perfect body type for young women.