The Infamous "Talk"

After coming home from school, Lily puts her backpack down in a daze. All she could think about was how that cute guy, Chris, from her chemistry class asked her out on a date. She finally asked her mother if it was okay for her to go on a date with Chris tomorrow night. Lily's mother sat her down at the dinner table and began to have a heart-to-heart. Lily's mother started to have the "talk." She explained to Lily the importance of abstinence and of contraception. She encouraged her daughter to take contraceptive measures if she intended to have a sexual relationship with Chris. Lily's mother spoke of all the sexually-transmitted diseases there are in the world and how cautious she should be. She also explained how Chris should not force Lily into doing anything she did not want to do. After Lily's mother was done having the "talk," Lily began to ask questions of her own. She questioned her mother about the right way to explain to Chris in not participating in any sexual actions. Lily's mother explained that Lily should be firm and not waver. She also explained that at the time, Lily's body might be yearning for Chris' touch, but keep in mind that she should not do anything if she does not feel comfortable. Lily also asked her mother what type of contraceptive should be used when the time comes. Her mother replied saying that she could do her own personal research online using websites such as Planned Parenthood (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/teen-talk/) or the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/) or Sex Etc.(http://www.sexetc.org/). She also explained how she will be there whenever Lily needed anything or had any more questions as the two hugged. Lily thanked her mother for listening to her and for explaining things to her even if it was awkward for her.

Health Self Assessment

Initially while I was doing the Self Assessment, I was thinking man I am definitely not doing any preventive practices; but, after going through the entire self - assessment, I realized that I am practicing preventive measures. The three main preventive practices that I want to improve on is my diet, my physical activity and my sleeping pattern. A few weeks ago I had to attend a nutrition training required for work (I work as a child care provider) One thing we've been trying to get the kids to implement is how to eat healthier and to get moderate-vigorous excercise at least three times a week. Because of this, I know I have been wanting to change my eating habits as a way to benefit myself as well as be a role model for the children. I have even become more concientious of how many fruits and vegetables I have been getting per day. There was a point in time where I used to be able to run three miles a day just so I can stay in shape and have energy. It has come to a point now where I get winded walking up three flights of stairs. In the recent future, I want to be able to get up in the early morning and go jogging or work out in the evenings after work and take a run. Hopefully, by the end of this year I want  be able to run a mile without getting extremely tired. Being in college has taken a toll on my sleeping patterns. I rarely get my full nine hrs of sleep that I should be getting. I always tend to wake up early or sleep late and then when the weekends come around, I get to busy to sleep more than five hours. If I plan on improving my health, I want to be able to do it appropriately. I want to have a goal of sleeping early and getting at least six hours of sleep every night. I hope with these changes that I will begin to have more energy, I will feel better about my health and I will be more positive with everything I do.

I already practice the other preventive measures that were listed on the self-assessement. I personally believe that smoking is an unattractive and unhealthy habit, so I do not smoke. When I drink, I make sure I drink in moderation. I usually don't drink more than one drink when I am with friends or otherwise. I make sure that I use a condom whenever I engage in sexual activity.  I believe I know how to relax very well. I can always be seen hanging out with friends and socializing. Whenever  I am in the car, I make sure that I wear my seat belt and I never allow anyone to go home if they were under the influence. My personality does not make me a violent person, so I tend to make sure I do not solve my conflicts with violence or anger. I usually talk it out. Everytime I go in to the doctor's office, the nurse is always teaching me about what I would need to change about my lifestyle and what I should continue to do. She always ends up sending me home with pamphlets about nutrition and exercise.

After completing the entire self-assessment, I  realized that I do practice more positive preventive measures, but I can do alot more to improve my health.

Women's Health Care in the United States

So I was on http://www.ahrq.gov/research/womenix.htm reading an article called "Women's Health Care in the United States" (go figure). I was actually quite stunned about what I was reading. This article is basically a fact sheet of everything that has to do with Women's health care in the US and it is broken down into subcategories based on comparisons in gender, race, and socioeconomic status (SES). A trend that I noticed was that when it comes to recieving health care, women recieved better health care than men, but women recieved poor quality health care. I also noticed that it was the minorities, such as Blacks and Hispanics, that had the worst quality of care and the most likely to get a certain illness. When it came down to the socioeconomic status, it was obvious that the poorer you were, the worse quality of care you recieved (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2005). It has been more and more obvious that money tends to buy you better healthcare and I believe that that idea of it sucks. I don't want to see good quality health care only being available to those who have money. People of lower socioeconomic status have needs; they are people who have lives, just like the rest of the world. Why is it that they can't recieve good quality health care? I understand that health care systems are expensive and the equipment and the staff would all have to be paid for, but I'm sure somewhere in the world there is someone who can open up a community clinic where everything would be easily accessible and readily available to those of lower socioeconomic status.

This factsheet also positively goes on to say, "The overall quality of health care for women in the United States is improving slowly." Even if it is a slow progress, it is a great improvement. More women are now being treated and more women are now seeking the help that they need. Its ridiculous to think about how healthcare for women in the past must have been. Women had nothing.  I was also saddened to read that in reference to quality and access of healthcare that, "In all years, mothers with less than a high school education and high school graduates had lower rates compared with mothers with at least some college education" There are many factors that could keep our women from recieving an education, such as teen mothers. For these teen mothers, without education, there is a slim-to-none chance of them recieving a job. Without a job and further education and training, it is hard for them to climb the social economic ladder, which makes it hard to make money. And without money, it is hard to pay for healthcare. It is like a vicious never-ending cycle! If only there was a solution to this problem.

However, I'm not exactly sure as to what has changed in this 21st century, but I'm all for it! In this past decade alone, we have had a woman run for president. We have had the first African-American first lady, who with her unique, classy and elegant style and firm faith has encouraged plenty of women around the world.


Sources:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2005, May). Women's Health Care in the United States . Retrieved September 9, 2010, from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nhqrwomen/nhqrwomen.htm

Women's Health Issues

There are many health issues today especially among women. Personally, I know I am uncomfortable with the idea that there are many women around the world who do not have the access to health care or don't even have the knowledge of what a good health should really be. I was never one who knew what would be considered good health care or not, my parents always had that covered for me. I am quite sure that the generations to come will not have the same issues, but may have issues that could become greater as time passes.  I also feel that women should know about the different issues that we face throughout our lives. I know there are many different problems women alone can get that men cannot. After interviewing a couple of women, I have somewhat seen what issues they have. A 65-year old Hispanic woman told me that she doesn't have the access to get the healthcare that she may need because of the lack of insurance. She feels that if she comes down with the sniffles that she should take her own home remedies that have been in her family for years. She cannot afford health care these days. A 28-year old Indian woman explained that she really does not know what issues she faces. She just knows that being of a younger generation with this technology and age, everything seems to become a health issue. She also explained how she felt very saddened about how there aren't many community clinics that are open to the public for a decently cheaper rate. I personally see how these women felt and I somewhat agree with them. These are all issues that women face throughout their lives.