Blog #15

3). 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?

I have enjoyed each topic discussed in this course because they have all shared insight and light on the many topics and issues that women face. But I would have to say that the topic discussed in this class that has had the most impact on my life would have to be the info discussed in chapter 9, which discusses nutrition, exercise, and weight management. All three of these issues have a great impact on women including myself. Body image, weight, and staying fit are all three issues that I can relate to on a very personal level. This chapter has shared some great information on how to turn those negatives in my life and make them into positives. After reading on this chapter I have learned which foods to stay away from and which foods I should eat more of, tips on working out and which types of exercise that I should incorporate into my weekly work out regimen, ways to help reduce my risk of weight gain, and how to lose weight. Since reading this chapter one of the new positive behaviors that I have incorporated in order to eat healthier is make a grocery list, and write down what I eat, and so far I have been able to limit my salt intake, reduce the amount of sugary drinks I have a week, and I eat out less often. I also try and eat more vegetables with lunch and dinner. I already eat plenty of fruit because I love fruit! Even though during the semester I began working out more regularly, I found out how important stretching, warming up, and cooling down is in a work out. Now I warm up by walking or jogging for about 5 minutes, then stretch, then exercise for 45 minutes, and use the last five to ten minutes of my workout to cool down before I stretch again afterwards. Lately, walking, jogging, and the elliptical machine have been my best friends. I do however need to incorporate some strength training into my work out so that I can develop more tone and definition. Lastly, I have been able to manage my weight through proper diet, and exercise. Since then my confidence in myself has gone way up, and I feel great which is more than I could ever ask for. Overall, I have been inspired and personally impacted from this particular chapter. There is no excuse from me to not be able to maintain adequate health, as well as maintain these changes. I am very fortunate to be able to have access to this information.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #14 What can a woman do to reduce her risk of assault?

It is very upsetting to me that women are being victimized of assault at such high numbers. Unfortunately as humans we do not live in crime free, picture perfect world but instead we live in a world where women are the target of assault. As women we need to stand together and learn ways to prevent and reduce our risk of assault. Whether the assault is sexual, physical, emotional, or psychological it is still wrong. It is sad to think that we may all know of somebody who at one time who has been assaulted or a victim of violence. Supporting one another and reaching out to those who have no where to go should be our goal because at any time we could be put into this situation. The type of assault that I would like to discuss is sexual assault because women are becoming victims of this type of assault in such high numbers. It’s upsetting to know that men use sexual assault including rape to feel dominate and in control. It especially concerns me because as college student’s reports of sexual assault happening on college campuses are at staggering rates. The best thing that we can do as a woman is becoming aware and taking extra steps to prevent and reduce are risk of becoming somebody’s next target. I think the best thing we can do is become aware of our surroundings and remaining aware of areas that may be high risk areas and avoid going to those areas or if you must go, go with a group of people. Also, try not to single yourself out from a crowd and get to know the people you are with well especially if you are meeting someone new and look out for the warning signs including aggression, and temper. If you do decide to go out with or go on a date with somebody new try going out on a group date because unfortunately women make themselves more vulnerable when they single themselves out. If you decide to go out whether to a party, to a bar, on a date, etc. and drinking will be involved make sure you get your own drinks, cover them at all times, and never set them down. If you accidentally set your drink down get yourself a new drink, this will significantly reduce your risk of getting slipped a "date rape drug." Again, don't forget to go out with a group of people rather than alone!. Other ways to prevent our risk of sexual assault is to always carry your cell phone or even pepper spray with you when alone or walking to your car and always have your keys out and ready. Don’t forget to walk confidently because you reduce your risk of making yourself a target when you make these simple changes, as well as you prepare yourself for the “just in case” moments. Don’t forget to take advantage of asking a security guard or police officer on duty to walk you to your car if it’s is late at night, or a poorly lit area, or if you just feel more comfortable. Police officers and security guards are there to protect you and make you feel safer. Before I forget the #1 thing that I would suggest that is helpful not only to help reduce your risk of sexual assault but for all other unfortunate circumstances is to let someone you trust such as your parents, siblings, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, etc. where you will be because if something were to happen they can call for help or help get you out of a sticky situation. Also, prepare yourself mentally for what you would do if you were to be put into an uncompromising situation. Preparation is your biggest tool because nobody thinks that sexual assault would happen to them, unfortunately I bet women who have been victimized thought the same thing.  Remember, if you or someone you know has been a victim of assault that it is NOT your fault, and seek help for yourself and for all the other women who are victimized by these crimes.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog # 13 Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?

I think that it is important to send drug addicts into mandatory drug treatment programs. It is important for drug addicts to get the treatment they need otherwise they may be more prone to repeating these behaviors instead of trying to help themselves combat there drug addictions. I am not saying that drug addicts should avoid jail time but I am saying that drug addicts need to receive treatment either while in jail or prior to going to jail. I do think that drug addicts should still go to jail for breaking the law because if we gave them only mandatory drug treatments programs to attend then they would be avoiding the true reason for why they were put in jail in the first place. Laws are the laws and I believe in that if you break the laws then you should suffer the consequences otherwise we would have mass kayos in the world. Again, laws still need to be enforced but I also think that promoting treatment will reduce the amount of drug addicts and help keep them away from these behaviors. It is very unfortunate that people feel the need to partake in drugs as means to help cope and deal with life’s obstacles but everyone is entitled to receive help and I think that treatment will help those who may not help themselves. By sending drug addicts to jail as a form of punishment without providing help will only sends these drug addicted people back out into the world with a high  probability that they will pick back up this habit when they get out. I think that it is very important to help those who are unwilling to help themselves. For all we know drug addicts may want to receive help they just either don’t have the money to receive help, the transportation, or the courage to get help for themselves. Whether or not drug addicts want help or do not want help I think that it is our duty as a society to reduce the amount of people becoming addicted to drugs and getting them off the streets and giving them the help that they need first, then the punishment can follow. I bet if drug addicts sobered up and got the treatment they needed then they would think twice before engaging in those behaviors that got them sent to jail in the first place.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #12 What can be done to reduce the stigma and shame that still surround mental illness?

It baffles me how people are so quick to judge one another when they themselves maybe going through the same thing such as mental illness. If everyone would just accept one another for both there good and there bad then we would accomplish a lot more and develop more satisfying relationships with one another. It saddens me that people are becoming more fearful of getting help or consoling in someone they know about depression or any type of mental illness due to fear of being ridiculed and labeled as “crazy” when in reality they too maybe going through the same thoughts and emotions you are going through. As a community, society, and as a nation we need to all stand together and learn to love and accept one another. We also need to self educate ourselves on the different types of mental illness including some such as: depression, mood disorders, dysthmia, and bipolar disorder just to name a few. I guarantee most of us at some point in our lives have or will have the “blues” at some point in time. We are all the same and should respect one another regardless of what someone is going through because at any given point in time that same person could be you. By educating one another about the signs and symptoms of the different mental illnesses that people struggle with will hopefully help them seek help and treatment. Besides educating one another about the signs and symptoms to look for our government should help make treatment more affordable and easier to access through health care plans and treatment facilities that are free or at little to no cost for patients who have little to no money to pay for treatment. Unfortunately many mental illnesses go untreated due to people being unable to pay for treatment as well as being unaware of where to seek help. Advertisement would be a great tool to use to help people feel more at ease. Advertisement would also be helpful for people to feel more comfortable and reassured that they are not alone in suffering from a mental illness. This would help the stigma and shame that many people associate mental illness with and help demolish these beliefs. I think of course self acceptance, community awareness, local treatment facilities, and little to no cost for treatment are all great ways to help reduce the stigma and shame associated with mental illness.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #11 If everyone lived "with our future in mind", do you think that we would live differently?

I think that society tends to live in the moment rather than thinking about what's in store in the future. It is definitely difficult not to because as people we tend to get caught up in the moment but unfortunately some of the choices we make end up having some very serious consequences to them. If people thought more rationally and less emotionally then I think that we could combat a lot of the issues that we face especially with a lot of the illnesses, diseases, etc. that have becoming on the rise. Simple changes such as eating healthy, and working out regularly are just a couple of ways to implement healthy change. As a society if we stop and think about our future and ask ourselves where we see ourselves in the next ten, fifteen, even twenty years I bet each one of us has high goals and aspirations that we set for ourselves. Unfortunately a lot of kayos and unexpected situations will arise between now and then both as individuals, and as a whole in society. If everyone could look into the future and see what is store for them I think that everyone would have different behaviors and different habits for not only themselves but also for the way we behave towards other people. Everyone is not guaranteed a free bill of health but if someone who smokes develops lung cancer I bet that person would think twice before smoking. Another thing that I think people would think twice before doing would be buying the big house and nice car when they can’t really afford it, and spend money they really don’t have because soon all of these bills and unexpected costs may come arise with little to no warning. It’s great to live in the moment but as individuals and as a whole we need to think rationally and think about our future and prepare for that and with whatever else is in store for us. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to set high goals and hope for the best but in the mean time we need to be making good decisions for both our health and our sanity.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog # 10

#2 What factors can influence women to adopt healthier lifestyles and engage in preventative behaviors so as to reduce their risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer?

There are many factors that women are faced with that may increase their risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some factors consist of family history, race, ethnicity, genetics, age, if a woman is obese or smokes, has diabetes,  has elevated cholesterol, hypertension, if a woman approaches menopause as well as after a woman goes through menopause, or if a woman has a sedentary  lifestyle. A lot of these health factors can be prevented with proper diet, exercise, and preventative care. Unfortunately there are some risk factors that a woman cannot change.  Risk factors such as being obese, having diabetes, hypertension, or who have elevated cholesterol can make changes to improve their health with exercise and healthy eating. Risk factors that are beyond a woman’s control are family history, genetics, ethnicity, age, and menopause. I know as women we wish we could alter these factors but unfortunately this is out of our control. The thing that we can do as women is be proactive and take the necessary care for ourselves because we are given only one life so we may as well make the best out of it. Cardiovascular disease and cancer goes far beyond prevention but as well as setting good health examples for our children, families, and communities. People learn best through example so if we set good health examples now then these behaviors will be adopted by our loved ones. As I have already mentioned eating healthy, working out regularly, and engaging in preventative care will help improve a woman’s life dramatically. Women who make these changes and stand by them decrease their risk of these diseases but are not given a free pass of never getting these diseases. However, if knowledgeable of the warning signs for cardiovascular disease, and cancer then a woman is more likely to detect these health issues earlier and have better chances of recovery and survival. Get active, work out at least three times per week for thirty minutes, more is always better but do something. Eat healthy by eating lots of fruit of vegetables, eating food rich in whole grains, drink milk, and don’t forget your protein, eat meat and beans. Try and stay away from trans fats, saturated fat, limit your sugar, and salt intake. Don’t forget to go to the doctor and get your blood pressure taken both in the doctor’s office and on your own, have your doctor listen to your heart beat and make sure there is nothing abnormal or irregular, get your yearly physicals, and if in doubt go to your doctor. There are so many new technologies out there now that early detection can help save your life. Remember, we as women cannot change genetic factors, our ethnicity, race, aging, menopause, etc. but we can eliminate the ones that can be caused by unhealthy lifestyles such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension etc.  By maintaining these healthy life style changes we improve our quality of life. Get active, and make a change for you!

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #9 What Are My Biggest Challenges to Regular Excercise and Healthy Eating That I Face? Also, How Are These Challenges Going To Change For Me Over The Next Five Years?

The biggest challenges that I face with regular exercise and healthy eating would have to be consistency and motivation. It is so easy for me to get out of my routine especially with working out. Like many women we take on many roles and time gets away from us so making sure that I not only make time for working out but also make sure that I actually do the workout is my biggest challenge. I tell myself all the time how I am going to wake up early and go to the gym, and work out or go outside for a walk, but that doesn't seem to happen till the late afternoon or evening. I know that working out is better than not working out but I would like to stay more consistent on the times and days that I work out. I know for me that it will help me manage my schedule instead of me fitting it into my schedule. I must say that I have been way more disciplined now about working out than I have been. I now have been able to maintain a regular work out regimen for the past four weeks, and this week is the beginning of my fifth week which I am in amazement that I have been able to stick to my work out regimen for this long. This is a great accomplishment for me and one that I will continue to work on. However, maintaining a healthy diet has always been easy for me because at an early age my mother instilled eating healthy in both my sister and myself. My mother is definitely health conscientious, which is large part from the influence of my grandparents who are much disciplined in eating healthy. It is hard at times when I am around my boyfriend to not snack or eat sweets because he has quite a sweet tooth and enjoys sharing his treats with me. This does make it hard for me to say no to him at times because I want to indulge too but I soon know I will reap the results from my unhealthy eating. So as a way to avoid temptations I try to do all of the grocery shopping if not most of the grocery shopping. I also eat a yogurt and an apple every morning for breakfast, I always make my lunch with at least one fruit and one vegetable, and I try to make dinner as much as I can so that I can regulate what I eat rather than giving into eating out. When my boyfriend and I do go out we try to stick to eating at places that have good nutritional choices such as Jason’s Deli, Corner Bakery, etc. When I make my own meals it makes it a lot easier for me to control what I eat which makes it very easy for me to stick to healthy eating. Now that I understand and can identify the challenges that I face with maintaining regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, I hope to grow on these changes and use them in helping me stay more consistent in the next five years and so on. I see myself in the next five years staying fit and being a lot healthier. If I can continue these new behavior changes now and instill them for the next five years then I know I can instill these changes for the many years to come as I age and get older. Five years seems like a long time away but I know in reality it is just around the corner. I know in the next five years that all of my hard work now and in the future will pay off into some great rewards not just me looking and feeling fit, but also emotionally. Of course the most important thing is that I reduce my risk of disease, and cancer, and add quality to my life.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #8 What Can be Done to Change Societal Images of Menopause, Aging, and Older Women?

Aging is the last thing any woman wants to think about especially as we get older. However, it is inevitable and a natural part of life. Women should not fear aging but instead embrace it. I know it is hard to do that when we live in a society where youth is glamorized. However, we are all aging and not one person is getting younger so instead of fearing the inevitable we should all stand together and tackle the hard, tough, and difficult topics that all women will face, or are facing. It's unfortunate that society puts a negative stigma on menopause, and aging but I think that is in large part of society not being properly educated on these issues. Of course topics that people are unaware of tend to be associated with negative behavior but exploiting these issues on a national level will alert people that aging and menopause are normal. I also think that society’s negative view on aging is due in large part of being shamed and shut out by our own society because aging is not supposed to be discussed. In order to change these views and misconceptions the mass media should shed some positive light on aging, and menopause. By showing society that these changes are okay and normal it helps society except and come to terms with this natural change that will happen to all women at some point in their lives. The more people become educated on these issues the more positive effects and self acceptance everyone will have for not only themselves but for others as well. Also, I think that women who are facing menopause, and ageing should join classes that help them face some of the changes that they are going through. These self help classes will not only help women cope with the changes they are facing, but also surround these women with women who are also going through the same changes. Women should not have to go through menopause, or other bodily changes alone but instead tackle these issues and changes together. By focusing on our future and excepting life’s natural process this will not only benefit those going through this life changing process but also help prepare women who are about to go through the same process of life. Educating people and self acceptance is key in order to change societies view on menopause, and aging women.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #7 Are STDs Associated with Immorality, Being Promiscuous,or Low Social Statuses?

My own personal thoughts on STDs is that any man or woman who is having sex has a chance of contracting a STD and that certain behaviors can contribute to a person of having a higher risk of getting a STD. Some contributors of having a higher risk of contracting an STD can be associated with immorality, being promiscuous, and having a low social status. I tend to think that each person has their own sets of morals and values and this makes up the behaviors in which an individual behaves in. Peoples morals and beliefs typically stem largely from social, culture, and religious beliefs and are the stepping stones in which an individual behaves. If a person is taught about safe sex, waiting till marriage, and that sex should be a personal and informative decision then a person is more likely to wait to have sex, and incorporate safer sex when that individual is ready to engage in sexual activity. Being promiscuous is also another factor that can increase a person’s risk of contracting a STD. Women and men who engage in sex with multiple partners increase their risks of getting an STD, as well as in having unprotected  sex. Realistically many couples don’t use condoms or use other protective measures that aid in preventing pregnancy and STDs. These negative behaviors only add to the increase of newly infected people each year. Another factor that does not help in one’s favor of their potential risk of an STD is low social status because they do not have the resources or education that can help aid them in prevention. Knowledge is power and unfortunately many people don’t know about the health risks that are associated with unsafe sex practices until it is too late. Being properly educated about STDs, how they are contracted, and how to prevent them are great ways for people to lower their risk of getting STDs. Unfortunately even knowledge about STDs and the harmful consequences that are associated with them will not enable more people to engage in safer sex practices but instead may have the opposite affect on people because so many people believe that getting a STD can’t happen to them. There are also many factors that make certain ethnicity's, age groups, and regions around the world at risk to have higher STD rates but using protection, making informative decisions, and access to education on STDs will help lower more people from being infected and hopefully reduce your risk of contracting a STD. Remember knowledge is power!

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #6 Why Should Prenatal Testing be Routine for All Pregnant Women?

Deciding to have children is a huge decision and with this decision is deciding to ensure both the safety of the mother and the unborn baby. Prenatal testing should be routine for all mothers because the potential risk for the baby to be born with some sort of birth defects, genetic defects, or even the potential risk of having disease etc. is a very high possibility. Prenatal testing is not only important for the baby but also for the mother because there could be potential health risks that could affect the mother and her health. There are many agents that can cause birth defects such as a family history, environmental agents, but many are unexplained. 60% of children who are diagnosed with some form of birth defect are unexplained (American Pregnancy Association, 2010). This is a very high rate of children being born with birth defects that are    unexplained which is why it is so important to get prenatal testing. Tests should be taken before a couple becomes pregnant to assess their health and the likelihood of having a child with birth defects, as well as taking the proper test during each trimester. Some examples of prenatal testing are: First Trimester Screen, Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), and Quad Screen, to name of few.  For example the CVS testing is used to determine if there are any chromosomal abnormalities due to family history, or if there is a potential risk. The CVS testing has a 98%-99% accuracy level (American Pregnancy Association, 2010). This is a very high detection rate which can help a couple make the decisions that are right for them. Prenatal testing is not only good for the baby and the mother but also for the couple to assess if they have the financial income, or resources to care for a child who may be born with birth defects. These are no easy decisions which are why planning a pregnancy and taking proper vitamins, minerals, exercising, and eating healthy are important keys to ensure a healthy baby free of birth defects. Unfortunately there are no guarantees and even women who do everything by the book are still at risk of having a baby with birth defects. If deciding to become pregnant please get prenatal testing, it will benefit you tremendously.
-Brittany LeBron


Reference:

American Pregnancy Association. (2010). Promoting Pregnancy Wellness. Retrieved

October 7, 2010, from the World Wide Web: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/index.htm

Blog #5 My thoughts on Having Children

I absolutely love children but have found myself going back and forth on the idea of wanting to have children or not. I am only 22 and realize that I am young and have plenty of time to decide if I want children or not but I have never felt the desire to have children. I am very career oriented and have high expectations for myself whether or not they are realistic or not. I realize that women can fulfill both a career and raising a family but I guarantee it's not easy. I have always felt that if I do have children that I would want to stop working and stay at home and raise my children until they reach the age to go to school, but that's easier said than done. Women really have to weigh their options and find which is more important to them and their partner as well as if you and your partner can financially live off one pay check. Being in a healthy, loving, and committed relationship definitely helps raising a child or children. I am very fortunate that I am in a very loving and healthy relationship with a man that is very supportive, easy to talk to, and who of course feels the same about children as I do. My boyfriend and I have been together for over two years and have discussed having children together and have both decided that we would love to start a family in a few years but that were also okay with deciding to not to have children. For right now we have decided that we will just remain childless for the next few years and spend this time growing and learning more about one another. There is a lot to think about when deciding to have children and believe me I have thought about it all. If I do decide to have children I will not be looking forward to being pregnant for nine months, and watching my body going through so many changes in such a short amount of time, as well as the birthing process which just scares me to tears. But I will love holding my baby, and trying to be the best mother that I can be for my child/children. I have always found it interesting how much easier it is to tell someone about their experience of giving birth, but not every woman has the same birthing experience. Some women have complications with their pregnancies, and some women have a very easy pregnancy. I may too have my own story and experience to share possibly one day but for now listening to other women's stories will have to do and hopefully not scare me out of having a child.

-Brittany LeBron

Blog #4 "Should Sex Education be Taught in the Nation's Public Schools?"

It's difficult to decide what should and should not be discussed in public schools throughout the nation especially when so many people’s ideas and feelings on sex are different from one another. It is the parent’s job to discuss and provide information to their children but it’s difficult to decide what they want to teach their children and what they want their children’s school to teach their children.  Every parent wants abstinence for their child but unfortunately we cannot make that decision for them. Culture diversity, morals, and religion play a huge factor on abstinence but teens will be teens and do what they want when it comes to the decision of having sex. Communities cannot stop premarital sex however; we can educate our children of the risks, dangers, and consequences of having sex. Teaching about only abstinence only accomplishes what the parents and society wants to accomplish and what they find to be morally acceptable but it does not identify the teen’s needs. Teens need to learn about STI’s, becoming pregnant, HIV/AIDS, etc. and how real these health risks and decisions really are as well as how they will impact their lives when they do decide to have sex. Society scorns young girls for becoming pregnant, but who else is to blame? Perhaps the parents and educators are to also blame for not providing adequate information to their child and student since they only provide information on abstinence only education. Every parent wants the best for their children but the best thing we can do for our children and our community is listen to them and give them proper education and advice. Unfortunately, not all children have families that they can turn to and learn about prevention and abstinence which is just another reason why public schools should incorporate sex education classes and provide resources for students to turn to when they need help or advice. Condoms should be handed out to every student, and to any additional student who asks for them upon request. We as society cannot keep our children from having sex but we can teach them about protecting themselves and their partners. I do not have children so I cannot say that I would feel differently if it was my own child, but if my child were to come to me and tell me that they wanted to or were having sex I can guarantee you that I would make sure that they were using condoms and other preventative contraceptives as well as being well aware of the consequences and health risks of having unprotected sex. We all have to realize that sex is a natural response and process among everyone; however when people and teens decide to have sex is each individuals own personal decision as well as when the time is right for them to have sex. Teens should be able to make that decision confidently without self doubt and scrutiny. With this in mind, we should make it are priority as a community and as families to implement healthy decisions when it results to teens having sex through school health education classes and family talks.

-Brittany LeBron

Improve, Prevent & Implement

As I continue to grow and learn more about myself and the habits that tend to make up who I am I realize that their is always room for me to improve, prevent, and implement healthier behaviors. I took the self assessment practice in chapter 3 and noticed that I could be doing more to improve my over all health. My preventative practices are over all good, however, I do need to be better at receiving preventative care. I remember as a child my parents made sure I got all of my routine check ups, shots, etc. however, now is not so much the case. I need to get back into the routine of getting my yearly physicals, going to the gynecologist, etc. I have health insurance so their is no excuse for this behavior besides the fear I face with going to the doctor. After I turned eighteen I found myself avoiding going to the doctor. I know prevention is key, but I am so terrified of going into my doctors office and being told I am diagnosed with cancer, or something equally as serious. In my mind if I avoid it then it can not happen to me,which I know is ridiculous, but as I get older and frequent the doctors office less, I know this is the worst thing I could be doing to myself and to my family. I tend to only go to the doctor's when I have to, but now I want to change this behavior, and feel healthier knowing that I am doing absolutely everything I can to prevent disease.
Emphasising implementing better health prevention practices, I could also be exercising more regularly which is what I aim to work on this semester, as well as going to be bed an hour or two earlier, and managing my stress better. These are three target areas that I need to be working on in order to improve my health. I enjoy exercising but I have the hardest time fitting it into my daily schedule which I plan to change, and if I could start going to bed at least an hour earlier that would be a great , because I am so tired of being tired during the day, and I try and handle my stress by managing my time better, but lets be honest with ourselves, we can always do better at managing stress in our lives.
Besides talking about what all it is I need to improve and work on, the good things that I do implement a lot of in my life are eating healthy, avoiding tobacco products and drugs, consume alcohol in moderation, and I resolve conflict in a positive manner. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, meat, wheat, etc. I am addicted to apples, almonds, yogurt, salads, and grapes, so I don't find it hard to incorporate those foods into my meals. I used to smoke, I have been cigarette free for over two years now, and have never been happier, it was the best decision of my life. When I do drink, I try and drink in moderation, and I also try to not to make it a habit. Also, I am a very open person so when I am faced with conflict I talk about it in a calm manner, and  try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible because I dislike lingering conflict.
Overall I am very glad that I took the self assessment practice in chapter 3 because it really helped focus and look over which behaviors I do well at, and which behaviors I need to improve in order to improve my health, and prevent disease.

-Brittany LeBron

Health Care: Right or Privelage?

Health care in my eyes is a right in which every person is entitled to. I say this because I believe everyone in the world deserves the right to be able to seek help when it is needed. For me and most of us in the class who probably do have health insurance either through our parents, through are employers, or even our spouses do not know first hand what it's like to become sick, or wounded, and in which are trying to seek aid with out insurance. Even the few in the class that may not have health insurance probably would be able to pay out of pocket for health services. However, for the millions in the world, including those living in the United States, and the few students in our class who may not health insurance at all do not get to see a physician for check ups for preventative care, or get treatment for when they become ill because for the pure fact that they can not afford it. This is alarming to me because I think of the last time I became ill,and can not fathom what it would be like to be sick without no means of medicine or treatment. I don't tend to get sick often but when I do, it stops me in my tracks, and I feel as though as I can not function, and I am not my lively self. This does not inlcude the work, or class that is missed due to illness, in which many of us can not afford to miss. Now, think of the last time you became ill, can you imagine what it would be like to have no access or coverage to a physician, or any way of paying for medications? This too, does not include other health problems people suffer from on a daily basis, such as diabetes, asthma, HIV/AIDS, etc. These health issues require health insurance because most if not all of us would not be able to pay full price out of our own pocket if we had to deal with these health problems. No one asks to become ill, and no one deserves to not be able to access or seek a physician for help when they do. People in povrished and low income countries do not choose to live poor, but instead learn to stay alive and function with what they have. Why should people suffer the consequences of which they have no choice over? They shouldn't, and with this in mind we need to find a happy medium for everyone to be able to access health care with out limitations and high expenses, but instead make it feasible for everyone including poor and low income families both in the United States and in the rest of the world.

-Brittany LeBron

Womens Health Concerns

Do you pick what health issues your worried about or does it pick you? That is the question that I have been spending the last half hour wondering about. Some health issues come into place due to the pure fact that you get diagnosed with certain illnesses or diseases, and some health concerns stem from fear of the unknown. I spoke to my sister and she enlightened me that her health concerns was her gluten allergy that she was diagnosed with less than a year ago. The proper name for it is "celiac disease". With this in mind, Lauren has to read all of the labels of the foods, sauces, etc. she digests in order to prevent herself form becoming severely sick. More than likely Lauren would never have been concerned with "celiac disease" if she wasn't diagnosed with it. She also informed me that another health issue that concerns her is being diagnosed with osteoporosis. Although she is only twenty-three, which just seems a little too young to be worrying about getting osteoporosis, this is a real concern to her. One that I hope she begins to take proper precautionary actions to.
However, In order to get a better idea to solve my stumbling question I asked my mother what her health concerns were and she enlightened me that hers were being over weight and having heart problems. Although my mother is only forty- five years old it seems to me too young to be worried about heart issues. I know that the element of getting older is a little unsettling but to my mother it concerns her, even though heart disease does not run in my family. The part of being over weight, who isn't a few pounds over their expected weight? I understand every woman wants to be thin, but to feel healthy and feel good about your self is what my mother's goal is which is to be expected and understood.
Although, both my sister, and my mother presented perfectly normal health issues both of their health concerns posed both a "it picked you" and a "fear" factor" which is why I compared it to my health concerns which are being diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Those two health concerns for me are based on the fact that breast cancer runs on my mom's side of the family, however, ovarian cancer does not, but ovarian cancer kills one woman too many every year, just as breast cancer does and that concerns me greatly because that affects my well being. With not only my concerns but the concerns of my sister's and my mom's I would say that collectively all of are health concerns are different from one another. None of are health concerns are any less or more important but perhaps they are just what we are faced with and/or are worried about which is why I just answered my own question.
The answer to my question is that women's health concerns are both stemmed from fear and from health issues we are diagnosed with. For example, no woman has to be diagnosed with breast cancer in order to be concerned with it, but the most important part is that all women even those including my sister and mother are concerned about different health concerns and are being proactive and honest with themselves that such diseases exist which is the most important thing and if women are not then they are only hurting themsevles.

-Brittany LeBron