Final Exam : Environmental Health

My interest in public health emerged when I recognized how much the health and well-being of an individual affects a community. From a young age, both my parents have struggled with their health; my mother having diabetes and my father having hypertension. I have seen how their health has affected them on the day to day basis and how it has affected those around them at a community level. As I continue to learn more about public health I am beginning to understand that many of the health problems, like the ones my parents face, can be prevented through lifestyle adjustments. Also, I have learned the most effective way to prevent diseases in a community is through advocating healthy habits to avoid health problems from emerging in the first place.

Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the mechanism of life. The human body is a remarkable masterpiece of evolutionary development, with many diverse systems producing an organism that we can only dream to emulate in a lab; My love of science is just one of my reasons for choosing Public Health. I enjoy a challenge, particularly towards a specific rewarding objective and although public health is a very demanding career, it can be enormously gratifying, highlighted by the many epidemiologists I have spoken to during my experience and on a personal level. I Graduate from Miami Dade College in 2007 with an Associate AA in pre-nursing, then proceed to get another associate from Miami Dade College in 2010 with an AS in Medical Technology passing the board for technologists the same year.

There are loads of different ways that we as humans affect the world and the environment we live in. Some things that we do can not only change and affect the environment but can also affect our health.

This paper focuses on describing the BSPH interdisciplinary and cross-cutting competencies that comprises the frameworks of public health, communication in public health practices, diversity and culture, and professionalism. The frameworks of public health practices focuses on the prevention of diseases and the health of the various communities. Public health officials seek to conduct research to enhance prevention. Officials also focus on investigating the public health problem that allows them to detect and control infectious diseases that may affect the health of a population. Investigating the problems may also aid in determining the magnitude, scope, and the characteristics of a public health threat. Planning, implementing, and

My unwavering interest in infectious diseases began in middle school when I read the book, The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston that intricately describes the Ebola virus. While the description of how the virus destroys the human body are unpleasant, this virus fascinated me. Consequently, in my spare time I read about other infectious diseases, such as cholera and tuberculosis, on Wikipedia and other web pages for my personal enjoyment. Years later, I participated in Princeton Model Congress in high school where I first learned about public health. Participants made mock congressional bills to be passed in a congress comprised of high school and college students in order to implement a national change. My mock bill advocated for the incorporation of HIV tests within annual physicals. The purpose of this bill was to ensure that more people became knowledgeable about their status and with this knowledge, HIV positive individuals can receive care faster and take proactive measures to prevent infecting others with this virus. As I researched various facts about the HIV epidemic and how HIV impacts communities in Washington, D.C., my interest in public health evolved even though I did not know of the official name, public health. At the time, I wanted to be a lawyer and averted from anything science or math related. Yet, I cared about my community and I wanted to make a difference. I rediscovered my interest in public health in college as a biology major.

Public health is the science and structures intended to form communal, statewide and countrywide environments that encourage health, prevent illness and boost healthy activities across the whole inhabitants. Good health outcomes not only from appropriate healthcare but also from determinations to expertise and implement public strategies and programs to guard and advance the well-being of all people. Examples of public health struggles include teaching the community about better choices, avoiding disease epidemics and the spread of communicable diseases, safeguarding safe nutrition and water in populations, preparing for disaster, avoiding injury, and much more. Representatives have policy choices at their disposal that can encourage healthy activities and change circumstances whether social, financial, and ecological to increase the health of the entire inhabitants.

This journal entry will provide an overview of my personal goals and vision as it relates to becoming a professional in public health. Give a brief synopsis of how the media interviews given by the faculty and health professionals impacted my view of public health. The understanding I wish to garner through this class and the entire Master of Public Health (MPH) program entirely. Finally, discuss the professional contributions I aspire to make in public health.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defined the role of public health as “fulfilling society’s interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy” (IOM, 2011). Prevention of epidemics and the spread of disease, protection against environmental hazards, promotion of health, disaster response and recovery, and providing access to healthcare are main functions of public health.

As part of the year 10-health studies class, in the last unit, the class has made a recommendation to improve the situation related to the health issues. In the present unit it is required to implement an issue. As a class one environment that the class has in common is Macgregor SHS. Assigned to groups of 5, the members are to identify a health problem within the physical environment. The physical environment affects one’s health because it can facilitate or discourage interactions and may subsequent benefits of social support. An example is that an inviting environment around the school would encourage more students to enjoy and have comfort around the area. Another reason why it can affect student’s health is it could be an influencing factor

Digging through the recycling bin of the math supervisor's office, I pull out an old piece of paper with typed font on one side, and blankness on the other -- perfect. “Mom,” I say, looking up with my four-year old eyes, “Do you have a pencil?” She goes into her purse to retrieve one, eager to see what simple drawing I could create as we waited for my dad (who was a math teacher at the time) to come out of his meeting. However, as she is searching, I waddle right up to the bookshelf and pursue my options. A vast array of different grade-level textbooks were laid out before me; the third-grade option seemed most suitable. I took my pencil, the book, and the paper, and sat sat down at the table to see what I could make of the advanced problems.

I have had the humbling experience to travel back to my ancestral community in occupied Palestine, and during each trip, I saw firsthand, how the culture managed to survive, and even thrive, despite limited resources and immobilization. The occupation has resulted in a limited water supply to many Palestinian villages; I can recall countless times where I was unable to shower and do laundry, since the use of water was prioritized for cooking over sanitation and hygiene. The lack of water resources in Palestine was my first formal encounter with a public health issue, in which there was a significant prevention of people from attending to their hygiene and properly sanitizing food and surfaces from microorganisms. In addition to the lack of water resources, the strict restrictions on imports have resulted in a further public health issue regarding many members of the village not having access to medicinal resources or dietary specific foods. This experience abroad has encouraged me to pursue a career in public health, in hopes of returning to Palestine with the appropriate resources and knowledge to: educate the community on water sustainability for their agricultural lifestyle, find a solution for the lack of medical resources, and propose proper dietary plans based on the food availability in my ancestral village.

In my life, I have experienced the incredible work healthcare professionals can provide and how lack of access to care can lead to dire consequences. Growing up in my village in Bangladesh, I was first hand witness to this lack of adequate healthcare. I had to watch my sisters deliver babies without training, I had to witness an aunt suffer in an agony due to the lack of adequate healthcare facility, but my most vivid experience of this lack of healthcare came when I was the victim of an acid attack and had to wait three days to receive medical attention. Due to this attack, I have third degree burn on approximately ninety percent of my body, and left me blind in one eye. Due to the lack of adequate health care in Bangladesh, two organizations, “Healing the Children” and “Naripokkho”, decided to provide me with medical care in the United States. It was there, that I was eventually exposed to all the wonderful work that could be done by doctors and other healthcare professionals. I have had approximately thirty reconstructive surgeries to repair my nose, eyelids and part of my forehead that was perforated through my skull. These experiences have inspired me to want to become a doctor, with the hope of giving back to my local community in Bangladesh, United States and globally.

My passion for teaching others has led me to ask many questions to my professors and tutors throughout my journey. I know that I will continue asking questions because we will always learn something new every day. That is why even though I have an undeniable passion for language, I would love to have the opportunity to learn what public health really is and how it benefits us as individuals. I currently work in a surgical center called Shammas Eye Medical Center as a medical assistant. I have learned through the various physicians and surgeons the importance of educating patients on prevention and management. Dr. John Shammas, head Surgeon of our facilities and a professor at the University of Southern California has taught its staff the value

However as an undergraduate student, Stasi was not sure what subject she wanted to study to earn her master’s degree. With the worry in mind, Stasi kept working in her community to promote health care. One day as she was working in the community, somebody mentioned to her that she was being a good public health model and she asked “what is public health?” Then she got to learn about the educational field of public health. She wanted to continue to do healthcare promotional work so she chose public health option for the graduate school. Stasi got her master degree in public health (MPH) at the University of Miami, Florida. She started her doctoral program at Texas A&M University in 2015 in the department of Health Promotion and Community Health

A famous epidemiologist once said “Epidemiologist is like a bikini: what is revealed is interesting; what is concealed is crucial” (Duesberg). Epidemiology is the study of diseases and informs the public about health epidemics and new health standards put in place. A typical day for an epidemiologist is as follows: they usually work in laboratories, businesses, and offices where they discover many diseases and conduct research while also finding cures for new malignant diseases. Epidemiologist also focuses on medicine for example, they create new antibiotics for vicious diseases or create vaccines to help combat diseases. In order to become an epidemiologist, it would take 4 years as an undergraduate and obtain a Masters in Biology or Public Health. During high school, it is required to take 1 year of Biology and Chemistry or to obtain some kind of science background in order to help me get better prepared. In this paper, I will argue why I selected to pursue a career as an Epidemiologist based on prior knowledge and interest in public health & Biology, health epidemics and experiments/case studies.