Blog #15 (Question #2)

Mickey Mouse Goes to Haiti
It is unfathomable that as wealth and prosperous a commercial business as Walt Disney is here in the U.S. and around the world, that they would not willingly and quickly provide a reasonable living wage of just 58 cents an hour to hard working Haitians who slave away in one of the most depressing work environments imaginable. Then, just as I was trying my best to wrap my mind around “why” such an obvious and obscene abuse of human rights is allowed to continue, I learn that Walt Disney fired anyone who spoke out against the working conditions, long hours and low wages. Shame on Walt Disney!
This video should be shown far and wide to shame Walt Disney to simply do what is right and fair. If it takes boycotting Walt Disney products and entertainment to get their attention, then so be it. It was heartbreaking to hear the women and men describe how they are always in debt with just basics, like food. These people work hard yet live as though they are the laziest of the laziest. It is American to reward hard work. Again, shame on Walt Disney, an American-based entity, for being so stubborn as to threaten to close up shop in Haiti rather than pay 58 cents per hour. For Walt Disney or any business to come into an undeveloped country and leverage their poverty and desperate circumstances for gain should be criminal. Even if there are no international laws to protect that exploitation, it is still morally inexcusable and should not be encouraged by our purchases. Such a business deserves the harshest penalties until such time as they change their exploitive policies and make things fair. I don’t think I can ever look at another Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck image again without seeing the eyes of despair of those who help produce them.

Video on maquilas and their impact on women's health
This series of videos of Mexican factories was equally disturbing as the Mickey Mouse videos. There were many overlapping themes of desperately poor people being taken advantage by greedy money hungry businesses. In the case of these Mexico based factories, in cities called “Maquilaopolis" there seemed to be some small reason to hope that someday things may change. There are national women who work in these factories who are organizing themselves to take a stand for change of working conditions and wages. These video diaries available on many websites, including TWU and YouTube, are exposing the hardships of what amounts to as slave labor. Working accommodations are deplorable and would be unacceptable in the U.S. where, for instance, only one bathroom for over 1000 employees. Women made to work and stand on their feet all day while pregnant, a practice that continues to cause miscarriages. Like the Haitians, any attempts to discuss with any level of management about working conditions or pay were forbidden, as were any cameras.
While many Americans lament the loss of work here in the U.S. as our work was outsourced overseas, we begrudgingly had to admit that the move at least made business sense. We all heard the rational, that it is cheaper to produce goods in developing nations because oversea wages, though less than their American counterpart, are appropriate for their cost of living. As a result, cheaper made goods allow saving to be passed on to the U.S. consumer. It all seemed to be a”win-win” situation, except of course, for the displaced American worker. Then with videos like these, we see the degree of unbridled greed of wealthy CEO’s and their distributors, like Wal-Mart, and it’s ugly to behold.

Arcoiris, TV. (1996). Mickey Mouse goes to Haiti [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_OXhtgHBxk&feature=player_embedded#

Blog #14 (Question #2)

Blog your reaction to the video clips on female circumcision or the Eve Ensler video talk that is posted in the Supplemental Readings.

My first reaction to Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologue and her Vagina Warriors was absolute amazement that such a comedic sounding topic could get so deep and personal and mushroom into a movement. As women after women revealed to Eve their own abuses they suffered simply by being a woman, Eve soon realized that there was a huge need for women to discuss not their genitalia but the many ways they were exploited and abused. Clearly having a vagina is a liability for many girls of all ages in all cultures around the world. It’s is so secret and yet so commonplace for these abuses, that 1 in 3 girls will suffer some sort of sexual abuse. Whether discussing date rape or female circumcision (mutilation), girls were sharing with Eve their deepest hurt and betrayal. But Eve did not leave the victim there, but in fact, showed a path whereby the victim could be a victor.
Eve has shared stories like the 14 year old Guatemalan girl who was habitually beat up by her husband but who became a vagina warrior by taking her pain and using it as a means to prevent others from staying trapped in such a brutal existence. At 20 years old, this same Guatemalan girl, now a woman, approached a platform to address a filled to capacity public civic center to proclaim “I did not have to stay in that relation, and neither do you!” Most inspiring was the story of the Kenya lady who was circumcised against her will at 10 years old but made it her life’s mission as soon as she was old enough to travel from village to village on foot with pictures of what a normal healthy vagina looked like, with its names and parts purposes, and contrasted with a mutilated vagina, stripped of all its essentials. In 8 years, she saved 1500 girls from being “cut”. When asked how she could be helped even further, she asked for a Jeep. Armed with that jeep, she saved 45,000 more girls from being cut. When asked what she would like next to help her reach more, she asked for enough funds to open a “vagina safe house” so girls would have a place to run away to.
Eve concluded by saying that she has discovered, sort of by accident, which makes for happiness. The 3 things she outlined for true happiness were first it must exist in action; that one must speak their truth; and to give others what they most wanted for themselves. That by healing others of what is broken in ourselves, we heal ourselves.

Ensler, E. (2004, February). Happiness in body and in soul [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=e_ensler

Blog#13 (Question #1)

Is it a sign of personal weakness or strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with alcohol or drugs?

For any person to admit to themselves and others that they need help because they have a weakness, an addiction, a problem or some other issue requires the strength of humility, honesty and courage. It is only after a person is first honest with themselves can they be honest with others and reach out for the help they need. Alcoholism carries a certain social stigma, which makes the “admitting” even harder especially for a woman. Yet, this is the first step in any recovery program so whenever a woman gets to the point of admitting she is an alcoholic; it is a significant turning point in her addiction towards recovery. With help, guidance and support, she can learn how to overcome her addiction. Each day upon waking, the woman resolving not to drink “just for today” is going to be a key strategy. But it all starts with admitting the problem.

Blog #12 (Question #3)

My sister-in-law Michelle lived a life afflicted with an intense phobia of being alone. She could not bear to be alone even for a moment. No one knows the origins of this fear but Michelle thought it might have developed when she was left by her mom at the hospital for a tonsillectomy. She was only 6 years old at the time. After that experience, Michelle feared being left alone. Michelle grew up, married and had 2 children. Her husband left her for another woman, leaving Michelle to live in a low income housing project in a crime ridden neighborhood where drug addicts were common place. Michelle often took in street people who were down and out to help them, and in so doing saved her from being alone. These people that Michelle took in often robbed Michelle’s money and prescription drugs although Michelle knew it, she was more afraid of being alone that being robbed and taken advantage of. Michelle’s phobia ended up playing a part in her eventual death at the age of 53 years old. Michelle allowed a stranger to practice his new craft of tattooing on her. In so doing, Michelle somehow became infected with some bacteria that gave her blood poisoning, which overwhelmed her lymphatic system, leaving her with a bad case of lymphedema. An infection finally settled into the bones of hip and knees, eating into her bones, making walking difficult and painful. It seemed Michelle was beyond the help of the most powerful antibiotics that were delivered to her via IV or a pic line 24X7. None of it helped her. Michelle had gone septic and even her Infection Control specialist could not help her since surgery to scrape the infected bones clean was the only option but since Michelle was so septic, surgery would likely spread the infection and kill her.
As such Michelle, with swollen and blistered legs was eventually confined to a wheelchair and pain killers. She was beyond the help of the medical community. Even so, Michelle’s phobia of being alone was still far greater than even the unrelenting pain and loss of all independence. Michelle continued to allow street people in with her and even though they stole her narcotic controlled pain pills, she let them stay. This meant Michelle often went without pain pills because the pharmacy limited how often a prescription could be filled. In the end, Michelle finally succumbed to high potassium levels from unknown causes, which caused her heart to give out. At Michelle’s funeral, there were so many street people present all crying and sharing their testimonies of how Michelle helped them and took them in when no one else cared. I realized at her funeral how Michelle’s phobia was a curse for her but a blessing to others. I feel sad when I think of Michelle and wonder what her life might have been without this phobia of being alone. It also has made me aware of how strong these phobias are, where even suffering all she suffered was preferable than being alone. At least for Michelle.

Blog #11 "Question #3"

On question #3; if everyone lived "with our future in mind", do you think that we would live differently? (Different habits, behaviors, etc)

I would like to answer that question from my sister-in-law’s perspective. Susan has been a diabetic for over 35 years, first diagnosed when she fell into a diabetic comma. For the longest time Susan lived in a state of denial. She continued to eat as she pleased, including every once in awhile having a binge on sweets. Over the years her conditioned worsened yet Susan persisted in her state of denial but made some concessions, such as eating a slice of cake as her “exchange” for a slice of bread. Susan’s weight piled on, her conditioned continue to worsen, meaning that her many doctors could not get Susan’s A1C down to a healthy range. They classified her as a “Brittle diabetic” meaning her blood sugar levels were unpredictable. One doctor over 15 years ago told Susan she may as well quit college because she was not going to live much longer. Susan has since been in a steady decline, experiencing a slow death and ever-increasing loss of independence. All the things she loved to do, she can do no longer. She cannot drive a car, go to the bathroom, bathe, or eat anything she likes. She has not slept in a bed for over 5 years but must sleep in her power chair where she is confined to 24X7X365. She has crying fits that last for hours because of the pain from severe neuropathy in her legs which feel like “fire and ice” pain. This is actually her nerves dying. Susan has often said that if she knew years ago that this would be her future, she would have taken her diabetes seriously and managed it better, and obeyed the doctors orders. Susan is a warning of what could happen if people live in denial about a serious chronic disease. Her life is a constant living hell of pain, loneliness, dependence, and regret…with no end in sight until her body can take it no more.

Blog #10 "Question #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?

According to our text, genetics and lifestyle are major factors to chronic diseases. (Alexander, LaRosa, Bader, & Garfield, 2010, p. 264). I have been managing cholesterol for a few years now, with medicine, exercise and diet. My doctor and I had a very difficult time finding just the right medication. At one point my cholesterol had gone as high as 350 mg/dl and my triglycerides were about the same. I was very worry. My doctor suggested lowering my stress level, which at that point in time was very high due to my job. I made some drastic changes in my life starting with resigning from my high stress job and took a less stressful job. I also revised my diet of what I ate as well as when I ate (nothing after 7pm). Finally, after years of trial and error, my doctor & I finally found a healthy alternative to the statin family of cholesterol drugs when my doctor put me on Niacin 1000 Mg. twice a day, and Welchol. What a huge difference, and no negative side effects. I now feel that I have decreased my risk for developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). I feel in charge of my health thanks to having a good relationship with my doctor and working together with her. I am finally back on track!

Alexander, L.L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H. & Garfield, S. (2010). New dimensions in women’s health. (5the Ed.). Cardiovascular disease. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Blog #9 "Question 4"

4) What role does the media play in how we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape, size and color than what was "acceptable" years ago?
There are many sources of influence and what amounts to as mass manipulation aimed at the girls and women of all ages. As these influences combine they powerfully redefine what is considered beautiful, glamorous and worthy of love and appreciation. Including the media we have examples of this unhealthy “thin is beautiful” view from various sources. “Branding”, the early instilling of ideas or values” starts when our young daughters play with unrealistically proportioned dolls like Barbie or Brat dolls, or read stories of fairy tale princesses, some anime cartoons, ballerina dancers, actresses, models, the list goes on. By the time our girls are teenagers, they are convinced that they need to be thin to be loved. The thinner they are, the more they believe they will be accepted. Unfortunately, all too often, that belief is reinforced when the feedback they receive validates that belief. Chubby girls don’t seem to get as many hugs or signs of appreciation in this culture of thinness. This has to stop! It is slowly changing here and there. In Toys R Us, some dolls are available with normal body types. In some cartoons and after-school TV shows, we see more normal shapes, sizes and ethnicities now represented. Even mannequins in other countries are increasingly representing more normal body types. This is a big step, but more is needed, starting in the home. Teaching our children that the “true beauty” that never fades is inner beauty and character. Teaching them early to not only accept but appreciate their own body and their own uniqueness; that there are many kinds of physical beauty, each with its own “magic.” As a society we need to work together to reinforce these concepts.

Blog #8 "Question 3"

1. Interview a woman who has or is going through menopause and has decided to take hormones. Allow her to share with you the reasons she has chosen to take them and how she feels it is beneficial for her health.

A few years ago my 47 year old friend, “Mari”, had a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This hysterectomy literally jettisoned her right into menopause. She shared with me her emotions, medications and experiences. As soon as left the hospital, she was given a prescription of Premarin, a medication which only contains the estrogen hormone. She took this continuously for about 3 years and then due to lack of health insurance had to stop taking it for a few months. Only then, without the medication, did she realized how this medication had been helping her. For all the months she was with out health insurance she suffered tremendously from hot flushes, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and decrease libido. When she finally got to see a doctor again, he put her on Estradiol, hormone medication in a patch form. She is now feeling “normal and happy” again. Mari is aware of the potential risk associated with this medication however feels that it’s a risk worth taking because without it, she is a “wreck.”

I can only relate to some of Mari’s experiences. I had a total hysterectomy where both uterus and cervix were removed. I was told that even though my ovaries were left, when the time comes I may need some form of hormone therapy. Until then I am managing by following the guidelines of exercising, keeping a low body fat percentage, take a calcium supplement, manage stress and watch my diet. My goal is to delay as long as possible the onset of menopause, and once the inevitable arrives, manage it with as little hormone therapy as possible, while keeping all my options in view.

Blog #7 Question 1

Many people equate STDs with immorality, promiscuous behavior and low social status. What are you thoughts on this statement?

My first thought concerning the equating of STD’s with promiscuous behavior or low social status could be summed up as follows; whether or not morality, behavior or social status have merit; NEVER should a person with a STD be approached by anyone with such a judgmental attitude and never should a person fear this perception and let it stop him/her from seeking out the medical intervention needed. Our first responsibility we have towards one another, as humans, is to meet and help each other where ever we are, take the other’s hand, and lead them to healing or help. Not “beat up each other up with guilt.”

How the perception of “low social status” came about might be traced back to the source of the data collected. “Minorities are more likely than Caucasians to visit public clinics.” (Alexander, LaRosa,, Bader, Garfield, & Alexander, 2009, p. 175). Since these public clinics are the main source to collect data on STD’s, it is of little wonder why then minorities appear more prone to STD’s.

In reading 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa, my eyes were opened to how women are so vulnerable to acquiring HIV/AIDS often because of their husband’s infidelity. One women’s husband was a truck driver who acquired AIDS from a truck stop area where AIDS infected prostitutes served truck drivers. (Nolen, 2007, p. 41).

We can see how vulnerable a woman is to become infected with AIDS with no “moral lapse” of her own. In other cases when a woman is diagnosed with AIDS, she is cast out of the home because of the social stigma associated with AIDS. (Nolen, 2007, p. 19). Were such women, already victims, to be approached by a judgmental community and/or medical professionals, offenses to these women would be unnecessarily multiplied.

Alexander, L. L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S. (2010). New dimensions in women’s health (5th Ed.). (p. 175). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Nolen, S. (2007). 28: Stories of Aids in Africa. (p. 19 & 41). New York: Walker Publishing.

Blog 6 "A Walk to Beautiful"

The video clip “A Walk to Beautiful” was a powerfully moving depiction of several Ethiopian women’s journey from outcast to acceptable. Fistula is a hole between the bladder and the vaginal wall resulting in incontinence. Sometimes there is a double fistula condition where there is a hole between the rectum and vaginal wall causing loss of feces and urine. Dr. Catherine Hamlin, co-founder of Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital since 1959 explains that she and her husband started the hospital when they became aware of the heartbreaking stories of young girls, some as young as 10 years old whose pelvic region became damaged during week long labor trying to birth a child too large for their small pelvic girdle. The contractions pushed the baby’s head downward compressing the soft tissue and cutting off blood supply to the surrounding organs such as the bladder. This 7-10 day labor wound inevitably result in the baby dying and being “pulled out”. This pulling out of the baby, in addition to extended labor, left tears that did not heal leaving the young girl with a condition known as fistula.
When these girls return to their village with their incontinence problem, they were outcast by their husband and others. In watching the story of one such outcast is Ayehu from a village Gojam. Ayehu has suffered with fistula for 6 years and now at 25 years old we follow her on her own 17 hour “Walk to Beautiful” pilgrimage from Gojam to Addis Ababa. From the 6 hour walk from Gojam to the road, she endures the social embarrassment of constantly leaking while walking or on the long bus ride to the city. When she arrives at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital she is amazed to discover how many women have this same problem, and finds comfort in sharing her story and hearing similar stories from other “outcasts”. Ayehu is examined and found to have a relatively small hole so her prognosis is very positive for a normal life following surgical repair. Others are not so fortunate. Sometimes the damage done to the bladder is too great and the fix does not solve the problem of incontinence. The bladder may be too small, and the best solution that can be offered is to do the so-called “Kegle exercises” to strengthen pelvic muscles as a means to control leakage. At least following the fistula repair surgery, the urine is now exiting the bladder through its normal route, and not the hole.
Watching Ayehu return to her village, her home and her child and be now accepted back was a moment of mixed emotions. While I rejoiced that Ayehu now is back in her family’s good graces, when I consider the thousands of discarded women, I am appalled that loved ones would disown them in the first place. Putting myself in their place of a former fistula sufferer, I am not so sure that I would be able to resume such a fractured relationship with my family and friends. At least not until I first dealt with this emotional issue of how could they throw me away just like a broken doll.
This movie opened my eyes to the huge need of so many women. In Ethiopia it is estimated that there are 100,000 Ethiopian women who need this surgical repair. Such a relatively minor repair…such a huge difference, like being brought back from the dead. I appreciated that this hospital goes a step further in the healing process by having them pick out fabric for their new clothes for their reentry to normal lives.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beautiful/about.html

Blog 5 (Question #1)

I believe that culture, beliefs and practices in any social setting combine to form strong fingerposts along the road of what a “good person” does, and does NOT do especially in matters of sex, childbearing and childrearing. In short, there are societal expectations that often are narrow and do not permit much deviation. Since people do not like to be spoken or thought ill by others, they “go along” with these expectations.

Yet, with increasing awareness and education about which birth control methods are most effective, we see society can and does change. We see evidence that a “good girl” can also be a “smart girl.” For example, in a country where the women are empowered to understand their bodies, they are making the right decisions. For example in Costa Rica, the percentage of women using contraceptives is 96%. (p.43). In my country, Guatemala is lagging behind with only 43% (p. 43), using contraceptives. I believe that is due to its roots and culture steeped in Catholicism. This explains why the rhythm method was the only “Pope approved” birth control method. The Catholic Church has in times past also presented the idea of abstinence within the marriage. Sexual intercourse was only for procreation, so granting papal permission to use the rhythm method was a huge concession. Especially when the core ideology was that anything that interferes with life coming into the world, even a condom, was a sin.

Then there is a practical dimension to why Guatemala lags behind Costa Rica, Guatemala is a poor country. It lacks the funds to do any long term effective outreach to bring new ideas, information and contraceptives to where “the people” actually live and work. Most Guatemalan woman that I observed are entirely too busy with keeping their family’s “body & soul” together to even have the energy or time to go beyond the local village beliefs in search of contraceptive “truth”.

Looking at my own family and my upbringing in Guatemala, everything that had to do with sex was a big “shame-shame”, and was only discussed within the context of abstinence. With such ignorance thriving, it was little wonder why all new brides were also “honeymoon pregnant.”

Any sexual activity outside marriage, even incest or rape was so taboo to discuss, that it simply wasn’t. Superstition, old wives tales and such flourish for lack of knowledge. That is why I believe that the solution is going to involve a grassroots approach of going into communities, bringing the tools, information and using a model of “train the trainer” so this movement can be self-propagating, until critical mass is reached and the culture shifts to accept new beliefs.

Reference:

Childinfo (2008). Monitoring the situation of women and children (p. 43). Retrieved from http://www.childinfo.org/files/progress_for_children_maternalmortality.pdf

Blog #4 "Abstinence - Plus"

I often find myself caught somewhere between the “ideal” and “reality” on how to go about teaching people about safe sex. The ideal and par excellence solution to unwanted pregnancy, STD’s, HIV/AIDS is indeed “Abstinence Only. That said, we have to meet people where they really might find themselves, and equip them with the best knowledge, skills and tools available to stay healthy (and alive!). The most realistic message is “Abstinence Plus” and the best place for educating and equiping our children is the home first, then school. I don’t believe in parents abdicating their parental duty to the schools. Yet, for a myriad of reasons, some parents simply will not equip their children with these life & death decision making power and tools. The schools can help bridge this gap with life saving information and condoms. According to a recent study, “There is no evidence that programs promoting safer sex measures along with sexual abstinence lead to more sexually transmitted infections (STI), according to a new review of studies comprising nearly 40,000 young people. (Medical News Today, 2008).

Now some fear that Abstinence Plus is a mixed message, sending a “Red Light/Green Light” message to our children which confuses teens and young adults about parental expectations. As a solution I recommend frank and honest communication which can go a long way in addressing those fears. There are no easy or comfortable answers but the sooner we open age-appropriate lines of communications, the better. Our task is to reach people before they engage in risky behavior that could affect them and others for the rest of their lives.

I believe that we should always strive for the ideal standards of health and well-being yet at the same time never lose sight of the actual world we live in. We should continue promoting the ideal of Abstinence as the 100% sure means of prevention, while at the same time providing education on methods of safer sex practices. It is not contradictory to do so, it is realistic.

The Ugandans have successfully used a simply ABC model that goes like this; Abstinence, Be faithful, and if A & B are impossible, use Condoms. Simple and effective. (Global Health Council, 2006).

References:

Global Health Council. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.globalhealth.org/sources/view.php3?id=1382

Medical News Today. (2008). “Abstinence plus” programs can reduce risky sexual behavior in youth. Retrieved from phttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97107.php

Blog 3

After taking the Self-Assessment I would say that I have exceptional preventative practices for the following reasons; I have my yearly mammograms, pap smears, eye checkups and dental cleanings. I have good relationships with my doctors and I do not hesitate to see them if I have any health concern, new symptom, etc. In addition, I eat healthy including in my diet balanced servings and varieties of salads, fruits, steamed or raw vegetables, and grains. I do occasionally have sweets but only in moderation.
Also, I have become more aware of the dangers of stress so I have also been working on lowering my stresses. For those stresses that I must allow in my life, I have changed my attitude towards them. Essentially I am practicing a new attitude approach whereby I only concern myself with those things that are in my power to control and letting go or praying about the rest. Also, taking one day at a time is my new mantra these days! It has made a huge and positive change in reaching my stress level goals!
Some ways in which I could improve my health, is by doing more walking. I enjoy walking and lately have slacked off from walking as my favorite form of exercise. Also, soon I will be working part-time at a local college where I can use their fitness facility for free. I will start a strength training program and do some cardio too. I am really looking forward to resuming these exercises because for me, exercising has never been a chore. I love it!

Blog #2

Do you believe that access to healthcare is a right or a privilege? I believe it’s a right more than a privilege because if we say it’s a privilege, then privileges can be taken away. Privileges tend to be selective. If it’s a right, then rights are usually protected. And if it’s a right, then it is everybody’s right. While the US Constitution does not specifically grant health care to individuals, except where we see in the 8th Amendment a clause that provides health care to detainees, there is a right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” , and obviously, a prerequisite to this “Pursuit of happiness” would be good health. We, as a nation, must finally decide that Health Care is a right and then move forward to “making that happen”.

What are your feelings about the present state of health care in the US? That currently it is a privilege reserved for those individuals fortunate enough to have an employer contributing to their health care insurance plan. However there is an ever-increasing majority who do not have this arrangement. Although I see a need for reform, I am concerned with the government providing and overseeing health care plans. The government by its very size and nature tends to complicate matters by adding many layers of bureaucracy to whatever service they provide. The private sector usually moves faster, responds quicker, more motivated, more personal and with less red tape involved. I regard our current health care is in a crisis-mode due to many factors such as increasing cost of technology, and population increases. Also, frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits resulting in higher doctor liability insurance, which in turn are passed along to the patient and/or health insurance companies. Doctors have to hire more office staff just to keep up with all the various health care plans, each with their own rules, treatment and billing codes.
Although I prefer the private sector provide the health care, I would accept the government stepping into this role if the alternative is to stay with what we have. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0843/is_1_29/ai_96500897/

Blog #1

What health issues you are most concerned about? Cervical Cancer.

Why? “Every year in the United States, about 11,000 women learn they have invasive cervical cancer. Most of these women are younger than 55.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix

Also, for personal reasons. I have lost my grandmother and a dear friend and young mother to cervical cancer. This is a disease much like breast cancer where early detection is the key to survival. Regular pap smears is the best way to detect any abnormal pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.


Interviewee #1: 20 year old white female, concerned with the HPV or the human papilloma viruses. First diagnosed with HPV about a year ago and now must have pap smears 3-4 times a year. Concerned about catching any pre-cancerous or cancerous cells early enough to take the steps necessary to remove it before it becomes more invasive.

Interviewee#2: 72 year old Spanish female, concerned with diabetes. First diagnosed five years ago and now must check her blood sugar levels twice a day. Concerned about immune system becoming degraded as a result of her diabetes, which would mean she would become susceptible to every germ, bacteria or virus. Also concerned that she lacks the resources to manage and control her diabetes due to lack of health care insurance, other than Medicare. It’s the “out-of-pocket” expenses that have her concerned the most, due to her low income from Social Security.

Conclusion:

My health concern was similar to the health concern of my first interviewee, but not similar with my second interviewee. Obviously, there is a difference of diseases here but the commonality we share is the fear of losing our lives, or quality of lives, to a disease that is not caught in time, or managed well.

Greetings,
My name is Nora Levesque and I just completed creating my blog spot. I look forward to my daily blogging. Below is my URL

www.salud-nora.blogspot.com

Thank you,
Nora