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…
3 comments:
First, I have to say, I LOVE the idea of health communication and blogging...this is a great way to reach people, particularly the younger populations. One of the coolest things about health promotion is that we can tailor our messages to different populations...blogging is one way to do that...however I think that we have to use blogs appropriately. For instance, blogging for health issues related to the elderly might not be as effective as a campaign designed for Gen Y-ers who spend a great deal of time plugged in to the internet.
I agree with you Lindsay regarding the difficulties that we face when trying to meet varying needs and health related goals. The WHO does a tremendous job attempting to assess health and health access around the world. However implemetning effective plans and engaging adequete funding for varying needs and problems is a pervasive and perpetual problem.
Great work Lindsay...I can't wait to read your next entry!! Cheers!
JJ
Lindsay, I am not really sure how to do this. So excuse my short comings. I think that the next fifty years will bring solutions to major health concerns, cancer, virus, heart disease, that problem will become centered around everyone living longer, working longer our lives will stretch out as our health problems are solved. That will not be everywhere on the globe, over crowding and finite resources will tax us to learn to live in a different manner, use different tools. Cold fusion for energy, cars that run on water. Solving the problems will create new ones, like your river it will keep turning in a different direction.
It's certainly true that the worlds health problems are in constant flux. The big decider is whether the current efforts will keep up, get ahead or fall behind with the new challenges facing the global health community. I also see a frightening divide between where the powers that be are putting forth their efforts. While in the West there may be tremendous health problems they don't compare with the problems in the highly impovershed parts of the world. Of course the problem of finding a solution and implementing it, or even the agreement on the definition of a "solution," is infintely complex.
But I do think discussions such as these are benefical as they create interest towards a truly worthwhile cause. So good job Lindsay :)
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