Blog 15

The most impactful and interesting topic we have covered this semester would be Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer. This topic was significant to me because cardiovascular diseases are by far the leading cause of mortality in America. Learning about the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases will help me prevent this ailment before it is too late. Knowing that levels of physical activities and diet can be used to overcome this ailment was particularly helpful. I plan to use the knowledge I learned in this class to guide me as a woman in making wise health decisions. This class has also been a huge factor in ensuring that I inform my loved ones of healthy choices they can make as women to live a more fruitful and productive life.

Blog 14

When women are assigned more than one role, it becomes difficult to organize their lives amidst all the responsibilities presented to them. A place to start to find order in trying to balance their professional, educational and personal lives is to set precedence in all duties allocated to them.

Another way to find balance is taking into consideration that it is acceptable to neglect the less imperative duties. Learning to say no is also a good way to find balance; when women learn to say no, they are taking charge of their lives and acknowledging that they are only human and can only handle so much.

It is truly a challenge for us as women to find balance in our day to day activities, prioritizing, organization and renouncing inconsequential duties is a good place to start finding balance.

Blog 13

Declaring to drug or alcohol abuse by any woman should be viewed as a sign of dilution to gaining control of ones life. Drug and alcohol abuse is a very dangerous habit that could ultimately be fatal. Due to the double standard set for women, we find that a lot of women are likely to evade admitting to drug dependency, this makes matters worse because most women elude treatment.

A woman that agrees to have a drug or alcohol problem should therefore be viewed as a strong individual seeking means for help and willing to turn their lives around. Women have a lot of responsibilities delegated to them; women are often caregivers, homemakers’ wives and workers. Appealing for drug or alcohol help only states that these women are not ready to destroy: families, careers, relationships or friendships due to drugs. These women should therefore be viewed as champions willing to win the race of fight against drugs.

Blog 12

If I was under the suspicion that one of my friends was having an eating disorder. I would first and foremost approach the situation in a non judgmental but serious manner since some eating disorders are perilous and often lead to death. I would stay calm and be direct in my inquisition. I could state that I have noticed that their eating habits were out of line and would comment on the weight loss. I would also be honest in why I think they were have an eating disorder by remarking on any apparent weight loss or missed meals.

I would also express concern and state the reasons why I think they have the disorder. I would inform the person of the dangers associated with eating disorders and the harm it causes to the body. I would also target the psychological mindset of the individual; we live in a society that embraces “thinness” so this would be challenging. However, providing information on what “real” beauty is would probably be one aspect I would approach first. I would also try to make my friend realize that having a strong self esteem would greatly help in acknowledging her strong points, realizing that being thin has nothing to do with success and give examples of women role models that are healthy.

If my friend denies of having an eating disorder, I would express concern and emphasis the changes I have noticed. I would request my friend to get help and provide contacts of mental health workers or physicians that could offer help. I would offer my help in helping her seek medical help and more than anything I would do what good friends do for each other, be there for her, walk with her, every single step until she is completely healed.

Blog 11

If everyone lived with the future in mind I strongly believe people would posses a prudence attitude towards life. Everyone wants to live longer; thus, longevity will be a prime factor in how individuals treated their bodies and which types of behaviors would be implemented as a result.

With everyone thinking of the future, we would see a decline in risky behaviors such as smoking, inactivity, unhealthy eating patterns and stress induced activity such as workaholicsm. People would be more vigilant of how and what they did to their bodies. We would see a decline in smoking trends. We would begin to see a surge in physical activity as most individuals would desire to be stronger, more fit and healthy to combat infections associated with old age.

People would also pay attention to what they consumed, they would be aware of the foods that are risky to their health and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. People would steer away from fast foods and foods loaded with “empty” calories such as soft drinks and pastries.

I believe people would also be cautious of the amount of stress they would be willing to place in their bodies; with this in mind, individuals would reduce the amount of work load in their professions. Individuals would also take time to relax in order to reclaim some of the energy used up in their daily activities. People would also choose daily activities with care, paying attention to what their bodies can and cannot handle. Women especially carry the burden of multitasking, taking time to relax would significantly help most women reduce stress and depression enabling them to live a more productive and fruitful life.

If everyone lived with ‘our future in mind’ healthy living would be greatly advocated, most individuals would live with health in mind and thus promote a healthy living; this I truly believe.

Blog 10

Academic institutions can take a more active role in disease prevention for women by teaching ways of adopting healthy behaviors by utilizing knowledge already portrayed by health educators. Academic institutions can also provide leadership in forming organizations designated in promoting disease prevention in women.

By teaching the importance of healthy diets and physical activity and stressing the importance of reducing risky habits such us smoking, unhealthy eating patterns and sedentary lifestyles is a fundamental step to building a strong foundation towards prevention of chronic illness in women and maintenance healthy living.

Academic institutions employees can live by example, this can be done by practicing what they preach; this is crucial because people want to see results. By being healthy and looking healthy one is more likely to be a significant factor in someone else changing their lifestyle to maintain the educator’s health.

Academic institutions could also seek ways in partnering with health care providers, communities, religious organizations and local government officials to advance and execute health promotion and disease prevention initiatives for women. Health promotion can significantly influence women as it involves going out and spreading the word. The more women targeted the likelihood that a vast amount of them will begin implementing these programs in their lives.

Blog 9

The biggest challenge for me when it comes to regular exercise is time—lack of it. As a mother, a wife and a full time college student; time is scarce. On numerous occasions I have began an exercise regimen only to fall back due to scantiness of time. I am currently attempting a three-day work out program with a college mate and it seems to be working well. I think the fact that I have an exercise partner makes me more likely to abide to this exercise program due to commitment. I realize there are times I may miss a workout due to unavoidable circumstances like baby sitting but with a back up plan in place at all occasions; I think I might succeed in the program.

I have overcome the challenges of eating unhealthy by making sure that I always pack a nutritious lunch rather than buy unhealthy food. This sometimes proves to be a challenge when I am out with friends and decide to have meals in restaurants that do not offer healthy meal choices. I am attempting to overcome this challenge by studying menus of most restaurants and mastering their health foods. One other thing that is really helping me is talking about healthy food choices to my friends who apparently all want to incorporate a health lifestyle as well. Healthy eating has always been a priority of mine and thus offers trivial challenges to me.

In the next five years I may encounter less challenges since I will have graduated from college, my son will be older and I will have more time on my hands to incorporate a serious five-day a week exercise program. I may incur other challenges five years from now like the birth of a second child; I plan on tackling this obstacle by enrolling in a health fitness center that offers babysitting to allow me to continue my exercise program without any impediments. As for healthy dieting, I see no major challenges since I have been successful in ensuring my family and I consume healthy foods that meet the requirement set for healthy living. One way I have been able to accomplish proper dieting is by attaining healthy food recipes to avoid monotony and sticking to what my family likes. It is my hope that years from now, I will be a good role model to my children and I do pray for a healthy life to prove that healthy living is equal to longevity and happiness.

Blog 8

Mid-Term Reflection

This course has made a severe impact on how I view myself as a woman and my outlook on women’s health. It is almost impossible to single out any topic we have covered thus far as all the topics have a significant impact in my life as a woman and a mother. Perhaps what really transformed my thoughts is the knowledge acquired of the fact that I can utterly take control of my health life. As a woman, I have the power to make changes in my health and that these changes could have a significant positive effect in my life and my family’s life.

Women’s sexual health was a remarkable chapter as I got to learn how to take care of my sexual health from contraceptive decisions and risk factors associated with the various birth control options. The pregnancy and childbirth chapter made a profound impact on my outlook on pregnancy and childbirth; this chapter made me acknowledge the beauty of bringing life to this world. The various pregnancy stages offered important information on the fetal development and the maternal changes at each stage. One important segment on the pregnancy and childbirth chapter was the importance of breastfeeding; as a mother who breast fed for 18 months, I can truly attest to the benefits acquired from breastfeeding a child. Women should strive to breastfeed their children if anything from the fact that it strengthens the baby’s immune system and confers cognitive benefits to a child.

My desire is to continue learning other aspects in women’s health that will enable me to live a robust life. My desires revolve around ideas on ensuring that am I able to make permanent lifestyle changes to live a vigorous and wholesome life. I am curious to learn about women’s health at old age, this is due to the fact that my mother and grand mother are still alive and would require guidance on healthy living during old age. I have an ardent desire to learn about cancer and the risks associated with them. I have truly enjoyed this course thus far and I know there are many more gripping topics left to uncover.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. The more one knows about their current health standings the better decisions one can make concerning sexual relations. I would recommend STD testing for any individual who has suspicions of an STD. By refraining from sexual activity one would be saving a lot of people from contracting STDS. STDs like HIV, Hepatitis and Herpes have no cure. It is therefore wise to prevent the spread of these deadly STD’s than finding a cure for them.

Blog 6

“A stitch in time saves nine.” I think prenatal care should be available to all women. Not only does prenatal care ensure that the mother to be is healthy to carry a baby full term, routine prenatal care could be a means where by birth defects, conditions and complications could be discovered leading to timely remedy options.

With more women choosing to have children later in life, the need for prenatal care has never been more compulsory. As a woman ages, the chances of giving birth to babies with defects increases; prenatal testing offers a means of catching these birth defects and employing treatment options that will ensure optimal health to a baby and its mother.

Women are waiting longer to have children due to various factors which include: education, careers and freedom. Women that have an urge to pursue education or advance in their careers find that children could be obstacles that could possibly hinder their advancement. This outlook is not from a selfish perspective, women see a need to be there for their children as they grow up and feel as if concentrating with school and careers could adversely affect their children’s upbringing.

Women in the 21^st century are therefore faced with tough decisions on the right time to raise families. The need for women to remain child free for a particular time has increased the use of contraceptives. Women have to make decision on the form of birth control that is most suited with their bodies and causes the least amount of health risks. The good news is that the research performed on the safety of birth control methods and the reduction of estrogen on birth control pills adversely favors women who choose to control their fertility.

Women experience freedom when allowed to determine the right time to start families; as a result, they are more prepared to bring up children and raise them as society permits.

Blog

I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. My parents were extremely conservative as is the culture back home. Let me begin by saying that I was not prepared for menarche. No one had ever talked to me about it. It caught me by surprise. It happened in school and therefore my teacher was the first to explain it to me. Much later my mom talked to me about it. It was not a celebrated experience for me per se, I would like to say it was more informational about the anatomy of the woman’s body and the consequences that can result there of. I was definitely embarrassed when it happened, I was extremely scared as I did not know what was happening and was always cautious of when I would have my next period because I did not want to embarrass myself like I did the first time. I wish someone had talked about menarche before I experienced it, I would have been adequately prepared for the experience. If I ever have a daughter, I will make sure that I inform her of the experience and celebrate this vital passage of life.

Blog 3

Redd Foxx once said “Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." As sardonic as this may sound, reality is that a lot of people are ignorant of health because they feel as if it does not matter what they do; they will some day die of something. This approach to health puts many people at risk of developing unhealthy eating habits, drug and alcohol abuse, and sedentary lifestyles.

I am one of those people Redd Foxx was referring to when he wrote the quote. I pay close attention to my health and the health of my family. Being a semi-vegetarian, I will eat salmon and tilapia for proteins; I do make sure my family eats a balanced diet. I try to walk for half an hour at least four times a week. I must admit that I do not get adequate sleep due to the fact that I have a family and a young child to take of; as a result, as a result, I devote to studying late at night.

I ensure that I use preventatives measures while driving like using a seat belt. None of my family members consume any alcohol. I rarely have to resolve conflicts but when I do, I always preferred talking it out with the other person.

Health is important to me and my family. This attitude forces me to make healthy decisions every day. The saying “it is all in your mind” is very factual. If health is on your mind, then you find yourself living it.

Blog 2

Gold that buys health can never be ill spent. ~Thomas Dekker, Westward Ho, 1604

Would you not all agree with Dekker? By the way, this was written in 1604. One would think that the message would have been received 403 years later. It is confounding to realize that in the year 2007, health inequalities and disparities still exist. It is even more baffling to know that women suffer the most when it comes to health issues. Given the fact that women bear children, sacrifice a significant amount of time to raise their children, cater for their spouses needs and keep their homes, you would think women’s health needs would be given priority.

The Economics of Women’s Health assignment really opened my eyes on the health insurance coverage issue and how it greatly affects women. The fact that the higher percentage of the uninsured members of our communities comprise of women was disheartening. Single women are more likely to lack health insurance than married women. I think our government should find a way of compensating single women’s households and ensuring that a plan is in place that is geared towards providing better health insurance coverage to these vulnerable families.

Blog 1

Since heart disease continues to be the major cause of mortality in America, there is need to be concerned with cardiac health. Research shows that heart disease is highly allied with diet and physical activity. For these reasons, emphasis is being placed on ensuring that individuals are watching their diets and maintaining an active lifestyle. Personally, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse about a year ago. I have always maintained an active lifestyle and keenly paid attention to my diet. Sometimes we cannot avoid heart disease due to the genes passed down to us, however, there are things we can do to prevent heart disease and that is what we as a nation should focus on. Obesity is on the rise in America and continues to alarm health workers and our leaders in general.

There is a great need of reducing the obesity trend in our nation. According to Healthy People 2010, overweight and obesity affect an immense proportion of the U.S. population—55 percent of adults. Between 1976 and 1994, obesity increased by 50 percent from 14.5 percent of the adult population to 22.5 percent. Approximately 25 percent of women are overweight compared to 20 percent of men. The high increase of obesity calls for urgent awareness and deserves meticulous emphasis and consideration. Health care providers, health programs, and care organizations need to be attentive to the development of obesity and overweight in their clients and must provide facts relating to the associated risks of obesity. Fortunately, obesity is a condition that is treatable. Healthy food choices and an active lifestyle are the main cures for obesity. Health educators need to monitor the diet and activity levels of their clients. Patterns of healthy eating and exercise need to begin early in life and maintained through adulthood. Education on healthy diet patterns and an active life must begin in schools and accentuated in the work place. Frequently, people make the wrong diet choices when away from home; it is therefore important to address the impact of away-from-home eating and weight management. The objective to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults and children should be a vital subject matter of every health educator.

Health concerns among women.

Juana Lotfipour: Juana's health concern is hypertension. Juana states that she has noticed as one gets older, the chances of hypertension increases.

Florence Agola: Florence states that she is concerned with the continued increase in breast cancer and heart disease.