The first day of class…
In class, week 1, we watched a 10 min. video designed by the CDC recapping the major health concerns of the last 50 years. It was interesting to see how some of the concerns we have conquered and others we are still battling. Something that stuck out to me was when Dr. Engelberg asked about what the next 50 years will look like as far as health concerns. It is hard to predict or even think about what will be the hot topic 50 years from now because it is difficult to get past the current public health issues going on right now. I liked the analogy used about the river and how we have to think about it like it is always flowing and always changing. While we may think a particular issue is important, there will always be something else that comes along and will take over. The other thing I think is easy to forget is that everyone’s idea of what is most important is different. I would venture to guess that even within this class there would be variability as well as within our family, friends, community and amongst different cultures. I think this is very important to remember when promoting health and trying to get people to change their behavior.
Some ideas that were discussed in class, as well as my own, about what the major health concerns will be in the next 50 years: maybe a cure for some type of cancer or HIV, another natural disaster, less people smoking, no more trans fats, global warming, obesity (hopefully on the turn around), physical activity, nutrition, new STI or maybe another vaccine to prevent an existing STI, breast cancer, health care, and the list never ends…
