Blog # 15

I want to start off by saying this class was great. I really enjoyed taking this class, it has taught me a lot of things about women's health. I think the number one thing that caught my attention was the movie Sicko. That was an eye opener. I believe everyone should see this movie. Just knowing these types of things go on in our country and we are supposed to be the most powerful and richest. Countries with less resources than the USA have free health coverage and are ok with that. What does that say? These insurances are just worried about getting paid and not actually helping people. Denying care to a little girl that ended up dying but could have been prevented. The people that were being dropped off in front of another facility to get help when they should have just stayed at the first hospital. The insurance companies are ruthless and do not care. How can they as people feel ok with doing these things. If I worked for one of those companies and I knew these things went on, I would have to quit. I would probably report them as well but don't know if that would do anything. We are people! I think if everyone saw this movie a lot of people's views would change about free health care. I could go on and on about this movie but I won't. This movie was a great assignment although I think it should be required. Again, this class was awesome and would recommend to everyone and anyone. Thanks for all of your hard work professor!

Assault

I do not think there is a way to prevent from being assaulted. I think we could take precautions as women to reduce our risk of being assaulted. Women should not be alone at night time, and avoid dark alleys. If you feel like someone is following or watching you then you may want to stop somewhere that feels and looks safe, and well lit. I would never stop somewhere dark and somewhere you are not familiar. What is sad is that you may never know the person is about to attack you due to it may be someone you know and trust. So matter what you may think you may not be safe with your friends and family. Just always be aware of your surroundings. Be alert always as well.

Blog #13

I think it is a strength for a women to admit she has a problem with alcohol or drugs. It takes a very strong individual to admit they have a problem. There are too many people that will not ever admit they are an alcoholic but yet they have to have a drink from sun up to sun down. Some will not admit they are a drug addict but yet they sniff everyday. I believe that is the first thing they try to put in your mind that you have to admit you have a problem. If that is never done, then the problem may not be corrected and you may not ever stop what you are addicted to. The person has to be honest with yourself, that is what it boils down to. Of course it cannot be easy, but it has to be done especially if you want to recover. What they have to understand is that it effects everyone around you, especially yourself. No one can really help you get out of the situation until you want to make that change.
I think if I had a problem with alcohol or drugs, I would admit that I had a problem. I would want to help myself as well as all of the people involved in my life. Maybe it is easier said then done, especially since I have never been in the situation.

Blog #12/Mental health

I read the article about child custody loss. I found that custody losers and non custody losers differ descriptively in marital status, lifetime hospitalization, duration of mental illness, and poverty level. Some of the women told their stories. I do believe that if a woman has a substance abuse that her kids should be taken away from her. I am not sure how I feel about woman who do not make a lot of money should lose their kids UNLESS they cannot afford to feed, dress or provide shelter for their children. If a woman does have a disorder, I believe some of them can be helped therefore depending on the severity of it they could get their children back if they have lost them due to it. We have some much technology out there so I do believe more than half of the disorders can be treated. What is really boils down to would be what kind of disorder the women have? Does it put the children in danger? How severe is the issue? I do believe if for any reason the children are in any type of danger then they should be given to next of kin, foster care or adoption. It needs to be what is best for the kids. This is a very touchy subject to be honest with you, I think.

"Future in mind"

I truly believe that if lived with "our future in mind," yes we would change the way we do everything. I would change the way I eat, the way I view education, the way I exercise and how I spend money. I could only imagine the things I would change as a person. We, meaning the world, would probably live longer and be more aware of what we do. Every person would be aware if they ate wrong then they may have health issues or vise versus. I think that if people knew they would be obese in the future then they would make the time to exercise. They would be aware if they didn't receive an education whether it be high school or college they may be stuck at the dead end job they have now. If we knew more about money then maybe more of us would have more money and the US would have less homeless people. I just think we would live longer and be more healthy. If I only knew what I knew now-my whole life would be different. I wish I could see my future to see what I would need to do to make sure I live a long healthy life and make sure that I do everything I can to make sure I accomplish everything I want to in my life. There would just be a lot of changes to everyone's life and it would be great to live with "our future in mind."

Blog #10/CVD

I read the article titled: "Socioeconomic indicators related to CVD risk factors in Hispanics." It was interesting due to the first sentence says, "Although Hispanics have a lower CVD morality rate than do their white counterparts, paradoxically, Hispanics appear to have worse CVD risk-factors profiles than do whites." They are far worse in blood pressure, obesity, sedentary lifestyles and smoking. There are several explanations have been posited to explain this risk-factor-mortality discrepancy, some speculate that in time higher rates of CVD-related deaths among Hispanics will be seen. I just that is so interesting to me. I would automatically assume that if you have a lower morality rate than your risk factors would be low as well, but I guess I was wrong. I think this study was very informative. It talks about everything from socioeconomic, gender, weight, and behavioral factors.
I just think CVD is a very scary disease and not a lot of people are aware of the risk factors associated with it. I also believe that not every single person on this earth goes to the doctor, in which we may have less deaths with this disease. There could be more done to prevent CVD as the doctor could give medication for it if everyone gets at least a physical every year.

Challenges I face

I would definitely have to say that the biggest challenge to regular exercise and a healthy diet would be SCHEDULE. I work 11-8 Monday through Friday so by the time I get home I eat, work on school and then to bed I go. Ever since I have gone on this schedule we have not had time to walk or workout. Who would want to get up at 5AM to go walking-not me? That is what would have to be done during the week if we wanted to exercise. On the weekends, we are always busy so we have no time to exercise. Eating healthy doesn't come easy. I basically grew up on fast food, so I am used to eating it now. My husband cooks but there are days he comes home after messing with kids all day that he does not want to cook.
Well now that I got a new position with better hours we will be walking or working out (on our Bo-Flex). I will have to help my husband cook now that I am home a lot earlier than 8. We will cut out sodas and sweets (not cold turkey quit). There will be a lot of changes here starting the last week in March and will be carried out forever! This will be a big and great change not just for me but for both of us. We both need to make this a big part of our life due to we do not want to be obese or have heart/health conditions at a young age. I cannot wait to start all of this.