Assault is a serious issue affecting women all over the world and being informed is a good way of limiting assault. Women needs to be more educated about different types of assault and preventive methods. If we are informed we can reduce the risk of being assaulted. We should avoid drinking too much and stay in control in every situation. We should be aware of our surroundings when we are out with friends and pair up at all times. We should watch what we drink in order to reduce the chance of being drugged. Women are vulnerable when dealing with abusive men therefore we should be prepared and take preventive measures.

People who are drug addicts and alcoholics should be placed in jail and also mandate a drug treatment program. These individuals can cause arm to others and themselves. It is hard for addicts to recover from an addiction and after a while they might go back to their behavior if they do not have the support they need on a daily basis such as family and friends. Sometimes providing a drug treatment program is not a enough to change the behaviors of an addict however it might work for some people but it is not enough for the majority of addicts we have in our society today. These individuals are ill and lack the necessary tools to improve their well-being. They should be educated, be provided with resources to help them stay healthy and practice healthier lifestyle to enhance their quality of life. With drug treatment program, jail and necessary resources i think they should be able to start the change process and recover.

Blog #12

Mental illness is a problem affecting people around the world daily and many people do not understand the symptoms, cause and effects of mental illness. Many people think you have to be crazy and locked up in a psychiatric ward to be considered mentally ill. There are different types of mental illness such as severe depression, panic attacks, schizophrenia, dementia, eating disorders and alcohol and drug addiction. According to Mayo clinic staff there are hurtful words such as 'psycho, schizo and jokes about mental health on television such as loony bins and characters in straitjackets' (Mayo clinic, 2007). These are perceptions that some of us have about mental illness. These jokes are shameful and painful to the individual and their family. Stigma includes labeling, Stereotyping, creating a division and discriminating (Mayo clinic, 2007). Educating each other and raising awareness is a great way to understand and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness . The mayo clinic suggest some ways to erase stigma such as open discussions, coping with stigma, get treated, have the support of family and friends, share your experience and join an advocacy group. We should help eliminate the stigma about mental illness by learning, being supportive, be an advocate and participating in events to help people with mental illnesses.

Reference

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2007). Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Retrieved on April 24, 2009 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00076

Blog #11

If we were to live with our future in mind the world might be a better place. Medical staff would be limited because everyone would eat healthy and engage in physical activities daily. Their would be no crime and killing because everyone will get along. Many of the diseases that exist in today's society would not exist if we have the future in mind. Education would become priority for parents and their kids. If we were to think of the future their would not be global warming and illegal wildlife trade. A lot of occupations that exist today would not be available. Everyone would live different because our attitude, behavior and belief towards life would be different. The question is would that be a perfect society and is it realistic? In today's society a lot of people has the future in mind but certain barrier allows them from not reaching their goals such as poverty, diseases, lack of education, occupation and resources. Thinking of the future daily will enhance our daily life to do something positive at the present moment.

Blog#10

Academic institution can take an active role in disease prevention for women by offering a women studies class that deals with the cause of diseases that affects women. They can provide lecture and seminars for students to inform women about the health concern and ways to prevent these illnesses. A health fair is a good example of informing the students and the public. The institution can work together with hospitals or clinics to provide free or discount health screenings for women and also provide them with brochures or handouts to raise awareness about diseases affecting women. If the institution has a news paper they can develop a column targeting women about diseases that can affects them, provide prevention tips and locations and contact information of providers that specializes in that disease. These are some of the ways that an institution can educate women and students on campus.

Blog #9

Food and weight has always been discussed at home because i have a very big family and everyone cooks and eat whatever they want. Although as a family we know we are overweight and as an individual we each want to diet but can never keep it up mainly because of other responsibilities. In my family we consider being overweight a family thing. My grandparents and great grandparents are not overweight but my parents and uncles and aunt including us children are overweight. We are not obese but we sometimes talk as if we are. Weight has been a serious issue lately among my siblings and cousins because they are at that age that they feel like they do not fit in because they are 10 or 5 pounds over. Media influences my siblings and cousins a great deal because they want to fit into a certain size or they want to wear the same size the models wore in the magazine. I have been overweight since high school and i have lost weight by different types of diet and gain it right back. As an individual i have learned to love and accept myself as being overweight. I was recently sick and i realized that it was time for a change or i am at risk of illnesses that can be prevented through healthy eating and physical activities. It is hard for me to control my eating habit and i hate exercising, i rather stay on the bed and read a book or sleep. Although i use to participate in sports and other activities but when i became a college student control became an issue for me. My family has always called overweight being our family thing and they made it ok for us. They would make comments such as you need to exercise or you have gain more weight stop eating too much but they never encouraged physical activity as a priority. My family buys healthy and unhealthy foods in the house and they believe that being a little overweight is not a big deal. I could understand their prospective because in my culture being overweight mean evidence of wealth, good living, abundance and beauty. If you are not overweight you have a high chance of not getting married in my culture. We have recently changed our behavior, the children now participate in physical activities because their health is very important. My family has started purchasing healthier foods and has included physical activities with their daily plan. We participate in activities together as a family because our health is important and being overweight does not have to be a family thing.

Blog #8

Media plays a lot of role in how women perceive aging and the side effects that women face. young women ideas about aging has been modified by what they see and hear in the media. Some culture might consider aging and menopause to be a graceful change in a woman's life while other culture might consider menopause and aging to be a bad change because of the effects that it brings about. Women are affected by menopause differently and should not always rely on what the media thinks. The best way is to talk to your physician and find out all you can about menopause in order to prepare one's self. I feel that aging is suppose to be graceful and appreciated because not everyone experience that aspect of life. As an individual we should learn to love ourselves and acknowledge that aging is part of life. The way we take care of our body when we are young, shows when we start to age. We should eat healthy and engage in physical activities to limit problems that affects older women. Aging is part of life and if we could love how we look and stop trying to change ourselves by doing surgery or botox then society will view us differently.

Blog #7

Many people still associate STD with specific group of people. In today's society STD can affect anyone and that is what most people fail to realize. "It will never happen to me", "I trust my partner" is what most people think in their mind. It is important that we value our health and get tested. People believe that STD affects only prostitutes, gays, Drug users and etc but now STD can affect anyone including people in relationships. No matter what our status is everyone should get tested because prevention is better than cure.

"The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released results of a study that show startling statistics for female teens: One of every four teenage girls has at least one sexually transmitted disease (STD). That translates to about 3 million teenage girls in the United States "(Dyess, 2008 ).

"Health officials recommend annual screening tests to detect Chlamydia for sexually active women younger than 25 and also recommend that women between the ages of 11 to 26 be vaccinated against HPV" (Dyess, 2008) .

"There are 19 million sexually transmitted diseases in the United States – that cost the health care system $15 billion a year - with almost half occurring among the 14-to-25 age group according to Dr. Kevin Fenton of the CDC. Officials described STD as a public health epidemic and stated that efforts must be made to improve screening, education, and other prevention strategies for sexually active teens"(Dyess, 2008).

After reviewing this information i concluded that it is really important we educate ourselves and talk to our children.

Dyess, D. (2008). Women's health:STD's Affect 26 Percent of Female Teens. Retrieved on March 14, 2009 from http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/womens-health/stds-affect-26-percent-female-teens-671.html

Blog #6

Children are precious and needs care and attention always. I come from a big family and in my culture your family, relatives, in-laws and friends would look after your kids or help you take care of them when needed. In the United States it is different you have to take care of your own children and everyone has their responsibility to their family. I have seen how single mothers struggle to take care of their children because they have to go to school, work, pay bills and take care of their child. It is a hard situation especially if you do not have family support. Many women chose to have children when they have the resources available but sometimes things happen and our plans change. I plan to graduate, get a good job and have all the resources needed to provide for my children. I have learned from other women's mistake and i do not want to make the same. My mom always advice me and tells me how hard it was being a single mom herself and i know it was hard so i try not to make any mistake. I do plan to have four kids and provide for them at all times i protect myself and take advantage of the preventive methods provided because prevention is the key.

One's attitude and decision making is affected by our culture and beliefs. In my culture abstinence is the only education taught and goals are set for young women by their family. My grandmother told me that when she was growing up marriages were arrange between families and the men are always older and sometimes have wives already. Marriageable age begin at the onset of menarche and at that time education was not encouraged for woman. My mum told me that when she was growing up women could only be teachers and nurses if a woman is too educated she will not get married because the man will feel intimidated. If a young woman gets pregnant she either gets married or be disowned because she bought shame unto the family. When i was growing up we were only taught abstinence and abortion was an abomination. Many young women died trying to have an abortion because they were not properly educated and they could not tell their parents because they do not want to be disowned. They will end up going to a home clinic or fake doctors. Contraception/birth control was only made available to married couples and are taught to students in the medical field. Culture definitely affects the way my family advice me. Many countries do not have the access to different types of contraceptive methods and when a new method is introduced their belief will play a role in their decision making. For an example, in our culture when you get married you have to get pregnant as soon as possible because the husband family would think you are barren and will marry someone else for their son or advice their son to file for divorce. Children are very important in my culture and it makes it difficult for contraception methods to be practiced. In today's society views are changing and many countries are starting to educate families especially young people about sexual activities, diseases and contraceptive methods. My culture influences the decision i make and living in the United States has changed some of the beliefs that i was taught.

Blog #4

Educating adolescent about abstinence is very good and important but we have to realize that in today's modern age our children are not practicing abstinence only. Sex education needs to be taught because children from age 13 are getting pregnant or practicing unsafe sex. We have to educate, provide choices and resources to adolescent in order for them to make a better choice. When i was in high school 10 out of 30 students were pregnant or already have kids. My high school had the highest rate of teen pregnancy and when they decided to start educating students about sex almost half of the students were pregnant or already have kids. Parents play an important role in the development and choices children make. Sex education should start from home and resources in school should be a reinforcement. Many parents do not want their child to be educated about sex which i think it is a bad idea because media reinforces it, the Internet, movies and peer pressure. It is hard for adolescent to ignore sex or other practices when it is being considered cool. When i was in high school, they sent a letter home about providing the students with condoms my parents were upset and they came to school to protest and that is because they think our culture and tradition will save their child from making a mistake. Many parents do not know what is going on in their children's life and they assume they do not know anything about sex which is wrong. Parents should have an educated conversation with their children and also allow the school to educate them about sex. We can not ignore the fact that teen pregnancy and unsafe practices exist but we have to work together to educate and provide adequate resources for children starting from age 13. Sex education is not only about sex but it is also a way to discuss about STD'S/STI and their prevention. Reference(Picture) Dave Harding. (2006). http://www.progressohio.org/page/community/post/daveharding/C2km

Blog #3--Self assessment

After taking the self assessment i realize that their are some health behaviors that needs to be changed. I need to eat healthy because i do not eat appropriate servings of fruits, vegetables, gains, protein, vitamins and minerals. I skip meals or i overeat and i know that it is a bad habit that needs to be changed. I do not engage in any physical activities which is important in order to maintain our weigh and health. I do not find ways to relief stress or socialize with friends instead i stay home and eat which is unhealthy. I have learned that i need to improve my overall wellness by engaging in physical activities and eating healthy. I will start by walking more often instead of driving and i will improve my knowledge about nutrition. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle reduces many health issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart diseases, diabetes and so on. It is important that we are surrounded by family and friends, go for our physical yearly exam and stay away from harmful substances. I plan to practice a healthier lifestyle and improve my quality of life by making positive choices and staying away from negative decisions that will affect my health. picture reference The Waco Tribune-Herald. (2009). http://www.wacotrib.com/health/healthfd/share...

Blog #2

What are your feelings about the present state of healthcare in the US? Healthcare has been an issue for discussion throughout the years. The discussion includes better healthcare for children, women and seniors. With the present state of the economy i think healthcare is getting less attention and has worsen. Many people are hospitalized or currently ill because they lost their jobs, home, insurance and family. How are they going to pay for the healthcare service they received? U.S. needs to re-evaluate and reconstruct the healthcare system in order to help the people who can not afford to pay for services. Patients are being turned away from hospitals or can not receive medical care because they can not afford it. I see this situation as a downfall that is affecting the people, economy and U.S. as a whole.

Blog #1

The health issue that i am concerned about is breast cancer. Many women are affected by breast cancer everyday depending on age, sex, family history, environment, lifestyle choices, friends and story of others. Many women die from breast cancer and family members and friends are deeply affected emotionally and financially. Their are programs and events developed to raise awareness about breast cancer but their are some women that are not benefiting from this programs. Some women lack proper education, financial resources and social involvement in their communities and they are likely not to be aware of such programs.

Women from other countries living in the United States that do not understand English and do not have insurance are less likely to visit the doctor or communicate with anyone about health issues affection their family. Their are women that are affected by poverty and their first priority is to find ways to take care of their children and these women have the tendency to be less concerned about their health. I feel that we need to raise awareness and provide adequate resources to communities that are mostly overlooked in the society.

I interviewed a 50 year old women from Kosovo who had lived in the United States for 10 years. The health issues that she is mostly concerned about are breast cancer, CVD and mental health. She picked these health issues because they have affected most of the women in her family and she is concerned about her health and her children's health. She is educated in all the health issues but she is concerned about the financial aspect. She does not have medical coverage from her job and her community does not provide assistance for health coverage. This factors influences the decision she makes whether to visit the doctor or not.

I interviewed a 35 year old African American woman who was born in the United states. She felt that women her age are affected by health conditions such as hearth disease, cancer and stroke. She discussed how lifestyle choices and environmental factors increases the chance of women ages 30-40 being affected by these health conditions. She express her concern because she sees women her age dying from these health problems because they did not take care of themselves and mainly because they do not have all the resources needed to take care of themselves. She feels that each community should provide educational resources for families about different health issues affecting men and women.

The last women i interviewed was a 20 years old . The health issues that she is concerned about are HIV/AIDS, obesity and cancer. She feels that women her age group are engaging in unprotected sex and unhealthy eating. She wants women to be aware of these health issues and know how it affects them as an individual. She feels that women should practice healthy eating and engage in physical activities; protect themselves when engaging in sexual activities and know the facts. She would like to encourage women of all ages to visit their physicians and be conscious of all health issues affecting women.

I concluded that women are more aware of health issues affecting their age group but all these health issues affects women in general depending on the risk factors and the choices we make. Although some of these health issues mentioned can be treated effectively if detected early and others are not we just have to educate each other and work together as a community to find or develop resources that will benefit women.