I could barely finish watching the   Disney video.  I am tired of companies saying, "Cost of living is not the same as in the United States”.

  Yes, it is “A dollar is a dollar” everywhere.  You cannot  support a  family on  $1.25 a day/week  in the  United States  and  you cannot  do it  anywhere  else.   

Offshoring is about taken advantage of those who are less fortunate and the corruption of those other countries. 

Most of these companies hire contractors, to hire factory workers, in order to turn a blind eye and to claim ignorance.  This is a  global issue, these  company  feel  they are doing these  people  a favor ( this money  is better  than  nothing)..  Heck it is nothing.    

This is just disgraceful and it should be a crime to profit off the tears of others.

Reducing the risk of assault

There  are  several steps  that can be taken to avoid the risk of  assault.

According to (Alexander, LaRosa, Bader, Garfield, & Alexander, 2010)  one  should be  wary:  of  relationship that is based on  classic stereotypes of  dominant and  when a  date tries to control behavior or pressure others.  One  must be  clear  with communication, especially  when saying  “NO”,   avoid going on a  first date  with a stranger alone, avoid  remote or isolate spot, limit alcohol and illegal drug use.   Taken these steps will assist with reduce the risk of assault.

Another step is going out with responsible friends/ girlfriends.   I hate to see a group of girls go out and they do not look out for each other.  One had too much to drink and the others are nowhere to be found.   Also, I am a firm believer of   “we came together, we leave together”.  

Reference

Alexander, L. L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. J. (2010). Violence, Abuse, and Harassment. In New Dimensions in Women’s Health (pp. 398-416). Sudbury, Ma: Jones and Bartlett. doi:  Retrieved from

A step towards a healthy life

Substance abuse is a huge concern in all societies.  There are several types of drugs that are abused by individuals and several reasons for substance abuse.  It takes great strength and courage to admit that you have a substance abuse problem.  It means that you have accepted that it is a problem and you cannot overcome by yourself.  Acceptance is a very importance step towards an overcome their addiction. This stage of contemplation is opening the door for positive and supportive feedback (McKenzie, Neiger, & Thackeray, 2009)

Reference

Mckenzie, J., Neiger, B., & Thackeray, R. (2009). Theories and Models Commonly Used for health Promotion. In Planning, Implementing, & Evaluating: Health Promotion Programs (p. 177). : Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

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People tend to be scared or a shame to admit that someone is mentally ill or scared to admit they are in need of mental health care.  This is due to lack of knowledge. In order to reduce the stigma and shame that surround mental illness, we must educate ourselves and educate others. I feel that health care providers, community leaders, and the media need to shed more light on mental health; and options for mental health care that are available to families. Most commercial and news report just show the negative impact of mental health.  

"This friendly duck bearing a bandage on his head symbolizing mental illness is real and treatable and a life preserver around his neck symbolizing every life is worth saving, carries the “Don’t Duck Mental Health®” message to the community" (Mental Health America of South America [MHA], 2010, p. 1). 

Reference

Mental Health America of South Carolina. (2010). Don’t Duck Mental Health . Retrieved from MHA of South Carolina: http://www.mha-sc.org/programs/index.php?id=41&cid=17

Living for the Future

 If everyone lived “with our future in mind,” I think we would live differently.  As we, get older and more experience we tend to focus more on our future and make decisions accordingly.  The saying: if I knew half the things I know now, when I was younger, things would be different or better"  explains this best.  We are to live with our future in mind but sometimes we tend to think we are invincible and we have a lot of time when we are younger.  However, it is never too late for Change and our future is still ahead.  Therefore, we can still make positive changes with

our  future in mind.

Factors that influence change.

Several factors can influence women to adopt a healthier lifestyle.  Oftentimes, women  are influence to change  because of  someone else.  eg.  children, pregnancy, a parent being ill, spouse being ill.  I feel that is  because we spent most of our lives taken care of  everyone but ourselves.

I have a couple factors that really influence my change in behavior and these factors motivate me every day. 

1)      When my child was diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes, I started to look at my overall health and the health of my family.  

2)      Getting older,  (as I turn 21 for the third  time  last year)  I am more aware of the  health  issue  that may  arise  with  age.  

3)      Knowledge:  the knowledge I have acquired within my academic program is the biggest influence.  Knowing where to get information and  tips  to better  health  assist me  to making healthier choices.   Not just knowing to be healthy  but  finding information that  fit my  hectic lifestyle.

Education is the key to the influence of change and having a supportive atmosphere.  Being knowledgeable,being aware of your risk factors and preventative measure will help your health choices.   Women  knowing  where to go  for  tailored  health  tips  will influence the  adoption of a  healthier lifestyle.

keisha

biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet

As a mother, and future health educator I am aware of the
benefits of physical activities and proper nutrition.  Once upon
time I would just look at a cake and lose 5lbs.  However, those days are
long gone and those pounds are sticking like carpenter’s glue.
  There are several challenges that impede my progress of consistent
exercise and proper nutrition.  Time is the biggest challenge and stress.  My obstacles feed of each other.  By the time  I  leave  work, pick up the  kids  and  prepare dinner  it is
time  for  homework.  I often get stress out, forget to exercise and then get a piece of cake.  (Ok, 2 slices).

In the future, I plan to practice what I preach...  I need to find the time to consistently work out within my schedule.  I will pass up the bakery isle and   purchase healthier options.  In the future, I see these challenges being less of a hindrance to my goals.  Acknowledge my challenges and taken the realistic steps to change will be beneficial over the next five years.

Menopause

There are several things that can be done to change the image of menopause in our society.  I feel this should start with our doctors and our media.  We spend time acknowledging the changes that will occur with puberty and what to expect during pregnancy.  Young girls are  given pamphlets  about   their  period  and   expecting mothers are  given  cute  little bags  filled  with magazines, coupons, diapers etc., for their new stage  in life.  However,   no one is filling up little bags with educational materials for menopausal women.

The media only report the negative aspect of menopause.  Therefore, many women already have this preconceived filling of doom about menopause.   The Media is filled with images of depression, irritable images of women due to menopause.  We need to see more images of women feeling free and doing things they enjoy more in the later years.

To implement changes with must start discussing menopause with our daughters, spouses and doctors.  Women need to know that they are not alone, their experiences are natural and that helpful information is available.
 This  link had  information on  natural natural ways to alleviate the symptoms http://www.nine.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=614673&showcomments=true

Keisha

STIs

While, some individuals may conduct themselves recklessly, I do not view STIs as consequence of immorality, promiscuous behavior, and low social status.  According to Alexander, LaRosa, Bader, Garfield, & Alexander, (2010) sexually transmitted organisms does not discriminate against class, racial, ethnic or social barriers.

 An individuals  can   be infected with an STIs because of  one  lapse in judgment or  by expecting  their partner to be  faithful.  Many women and children are being infected with sexually transmitted disease due to sexual slavery and sexual assault.  These individuals are no longer in control of their sexual health in these situations.

 Although I am married, I will never think I am above being infected with an STI.  I have to depend on my husband to be faithful and use good judgment.   A friend of mine was infected with a STIs because her husband cheated.  I really felt her pain considering it could have been HIV/AIDS.

Reference

Alexander, L. L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. J. (2010).  Reproductive Tract infections and HIV/AIDS.  In New Dimensions in Women’s Health (pp. 174-203).  Sudbury, Ma: Jones and Bartlett. 

keisha Mck.

Prenatal Care

Prenatal testing should be routine for all pregnant women.  Prenatal care/testing is the first step in providing go start for your child.  Ideally prenatal care should  start before conception but this is  not always the case. Maternal health is extremely important to mother and child.  In order to pregnancy-related complications, mothers should have prenatal care.  Prenatal testing provides tool and expectations for the pregnancy.  Doctors are able to run important examinations, educate mothers on proper nutrition, required vitamins intake, and gathering information about family medical history.  Being a good mother does not have to start after childbirth, it can start with seeking prenatal care/advising.    

The CDC has a free mobile service (Text4baby).  Mothers can subscribe by texting:    To sign up, text BABY, or BEBE for Spanish, to 511411.  

There is no excuse

Contraception

The decisions people make in life are influenced by their culture, religion, and practices.  This is the same for one’s chose of birth control.  A person may decide not to use contraceptive if their religion see sexual intercourse as a means for procreation or as a duty (Alexander, Larosa, Bader, Garfield, & Alexander, 2010).

For me, it was a public service announcement (PSA).  As a child, there was a PSA on T.V about family planning.  I cannot recall the images of the commercial but I will never forget the ending statement.  The ending was “Two is better than too many”.  I do not recall at what age I saw this PSA but it influenced my decision of contraception and family size.

References

Alexander, L., Larosa, J., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. (2010). Reproductive health. In New Dimensions in Women’s Health (p. 92). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Sex education in Public School

Keisha Mck.

I feel that sex education should be taught in public schools.  Teenager need to be provided lessons in abstinence plus. While, I understand the concerns parent may have about abstinence –plus; we need to take another approach to reduce the teen pregnancies. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services [DSHS], (2009) Medicaid paid for 173,226 in deliveries which cost us approximately $420 million.   Teen mothers age 13-17 account for 10% of these deliveries at a cost of 41 million (DSHS, 2009).   While reviewing the statistics on family planning I was shock to see; “every 10 minutes a teen in Texas gets pregnant, every 10 hours a 14-year-old teen gets pregnant, every 3 hours a 15-year-old teen gets pregnant, and every 10 minutes a teen gives birth”(DSHS, 2009).  Teenager needs to be informed on sexual health and they need to know all their options. I do not see the harm in teaching sex education and I do not see the harm in abstinence plus.  Not everyone have a parent or guardian that is open to this discussion. I would prefer the education come from a trained educator and not another uninformed peer.

References

Texas Department of State Health Services. (2009). Teen Pregnancy Prevention (Fact Sheet). Retrieved from Family Planning: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/famplan/tpp.shtm

Self-assessment

Self-assessment

 Keisha M

Doing a survey on health is always informative.  I was not surprise with my results of my survey.  I had no for # 2 and no for #3.  Although the  results  showed I am better off based  on the amount of  Yes, I need  to make  some  changes to improve my health.  To improve my health, I must participate in more physical activities during the week and I have to get more rest.  Implementing more exercise would be somewhat easy for me.  However, getting more rest will be struggle.  It can be done with a lot of work.  I will have to sit down and come up with a plan.  I should start my behavior change   10/01/10

Not scare to die but scared to live on until death”.

 # 2   Keisha Mckinley
Healthcare is important for a quality life


It is hard to achieve total wellness without healthcare. Our health is extremely important to us, and it is important to our families. The question of whether healthcare is a right or a privileged has been on the rise over the years. I answered this question 4 years ago this month. The appreciation and the importance of quality healthcare became a true reality 09/06/2006. I am a mother and I am grateful to have insurance for both deliveries. However, when my child was diagnosis with a chronic disease, I was never so happy to pull out that insurance card. Although I had no idea how I was going to pay the deductible for the hospital admission, I had comfort that Texas Children’s Hospital was going to provide my child with the best private insurance can provide. I cannot begin to think what I would have done without insurance or no access to quality health care. Currently, most of our illness and deaths are due to preventable diseases. Oftentimes, these deaths and illness can be reduced with proper access to health care. According to Alexander, LaRosa, Bader, Garfield, & Alexander, (2010) over 46 million Americans were uninsured in 2007.

These 46 million individual could extend their lives with access to preventative care. Individuals without insurance are less likely to seek medical care for illness and their more likely to die prematurely (Alexander et al., 2010) Healthcare should be accessible to everyone. Having access to health care will provided educational tools for preventative care and it will help to provide a better quality of life for many. Our health affects the stability of the household, it affects the health of our community, and it affects the health of our nation. The preservation of human life is a Right. We can only do this with proper access to healthcare.    

Reference

Alexander, L. L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. J. (2010). The Economics of Women’s Health. In New Dimensions in Women’s Health (pp. 17-32). Sudbury, Ma: Jones and Bartlett.

The health of our kids, husband, parents and extend families are amongst the daily concern of women in our society. Women oftentimes forget to think about themselves, our dual role in society does put a strain on our health. Women have to learn to think about themselves and their health more often. I had the pleasure of interviewing several women about their health concerns. These interviewees varied in age, cultural and race. I was very surprise that no one listed heart disease as one of her health concerns. Everyone was mostly concern about breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and diabetes. They were concern due to known family history. However, all admit to putting their health concerns on the back burner.
 My biggest concern are diabetes and heart disease. I am concern due to my family history,  my race and  my gender. I will admit that I had to learn to take care of myself better. Sometimes, I still forget about me but I am learning.
 We play a very important role in our  society. It is  time  to realize that  taken CARE of Me  is beneficial
to our families.