Although the interview is generally informative, I disagree with his statement about discrimination not being a determinant; it is major determinant of health. Discriminating is not always an overt act during the provision of care. This could entail access as a barrier because of institutionalized racism and discrimination. Perhaps, the facilities in one community are not available or the transit does not permit an individual to get to a health facility. The problem is not merely rooted in biological predispositions or even behavior; it is also social.
Healthy You, Healthy Me: Making Health a Public Affair
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans
The following video, HealthWatch MD, features a short interview with an African American cardiologist in Atlanta. He addresses the health disparity of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in African Americans. This ethnic group has disproportionately higher rates of CVD than Caucasians. He does not believe that this is due to discrimination, but lifestyle and genetics. The cardiologists emphasizes the importance of patient education and promoting health literacy as a means of prevention for the African American community.
Although the interview is generally informative, I disagree with his statement about discrimination not being a determinant; it is major determinant of health. Discriminating is not always an overt act during the provision of care. This could entail access as a barrier because of institutionalized racism and discrimination. Perhaps, the facilities in one community are not available or the transit does not permit an individual to get to a health facility. The problem is not merely rooted in biological predispositions or even behavior; it is also social.
Although the interview is generally informative, I disagree with his statement about discrimination not being a determinant; it is major determinant of health. Discriminating is not always an overt act during the provision of care. This could entail access as a barrier because of institutionalized racism and discrimination. Perhaps, the facilities in one community are not available or the transit does not permit an individual to get to a health facility. The problem is not merely rooted in biological predispositions or even behavior; it is also social.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Health Disparities
This Prezi is my adaptation of the Healthy People 2020 social determinants of health diagram. I used a “journey” template to convey that community and culture, education, environment, economic climate are, not only interdependent factors, but they are a part of a trajectory towards access to services affecting health outcomes, primarily, quality of life. This journey begins with the community and its culture,which involves family structure, social cohesion, equality and discrimination.
The values and perceptions of this community and culture affect education. Educated people are most likely to perform healthier behaviors, are typically health literate and are proactive when making health-related decisions. Moreover, the community, culture and peoples’ ways of thinking shape the environment in which they dwell. All of those factors can either perpetuate a healthy environment or one rife with crime, violence, poverty and disease.
The fourth determinant is economic climate, which is easily determined by environment, education, and certain elements of the community and culture. For example, a place where there is high crime and where people are not educated beyond ninth grade, is less likely to have high employment rates and a thriving economy.
The journey ends with accessibility to transportation, healthy foods, healthcare and any good or service that improves quality of life. I do believe people are a product of their environment and culture, but it is ultimately that person’s decision to make the changes to better his or her quality of life.
The values and perceptions of this community and culture affect education. Educated people are most likely to perform healthier behaviors, are typically health literate and are proactive when making health-related decisions. Moreover, the community, culture and peoples’ ways of thinking shape the environment in which they dwell. All of those factors can either perpetuate a healthy environment or one rife with crime, violence, poverty and disease.
The fourth determinant is economic climate, which is easily determined by environment, education, and certain elements of the community and culture. For example, a place where there is high crime and where people are not educated beyond ninth grade, is less likely to have high employment rates and a thriving economy.
The journey ends with accessibility to transportation, healthy foods, healthcare and any good or service that improves quality of life. I do believe people are a product of their environment and culture, but it is ultimately that person’s decision to make the changes to better his or her quality of life.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Public Health and Health Psychology Theoretical Commonalities
One of the course's first assignments, Social and Behavioral, core entailed exploration of public health professional opportunities, assumptions about the field and the basics of health behavior theory.
As a past health psychology student, it is a pleasure to know that I can apply some of those theories to health promotion and education. I would like to focus on the connection between health psychology and public health.
I found a questionnaire featuring CDC's Dr. Rodney Hammond. He discussed the relationship between psychology and public health. Hammond was director of the CDC's Division of Violence Prevention, a position that relied heavily on his psychology expertise. His work involved epidemiology, development of evidence-based prevention strategies and community capacity building.
Dr. Hammond's statement (above) is quite profound. Throughout this course, I will be studying, analyzing and at some point apply health behavior theories.
According to Simon and Bennett (2004), public health has both implicitly and explicitly applied social and behavioral psychology theories to program planning and prevention strategies. Health communication, environmental health, behavior in relation to health promotion participation and empowerment. Psychology theories provide structural approaches to prevention through emphasis on barriers, cues and benefits that encourage or discourage a health behavior.
I am elated that the CDC oversees the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This institute strives to promote the application of psychology, particularly through Occupational Health Psychology. The inception of this field occurred after psychologists urged that the psychology field needs a proactive role in public health practice to prevent stress, illness and injury, especially regarding occupation. This is one major example of how psychology is being used in a major sector of public health. Thanks to the accomplishments of those like Dr. Hammond, we see these theories effectively applied as prevention strategies and program agendas materialize.
References:
Rodney Hammond's Interview
As a past health psychology student, it is a pleasure to know that I can apply some of those theories to health promotion and education. I would like to focus on the connection between health psychology and public health.
I found a questionnaire featuring CDC's Dr. Rodney Hammond. He discussed the relationship between psychology and public health. Hammond was director of the CDC's Division of Violence Prevention, a position that relied heavily on his psychology expertise. His work involved epidemiology, development of evidence-based prevention strategies and community capacity building.
Dr. Hammond's statement (above) is quite profound. Throughout this course, I will be studying, analyzing and at some point apply health behavior theories.
According to Simon and Bennett (2004), public health has both implicitly and explicitly applied social and behavioral psychology theories to program planning and prevention strategies. Health communication, environmental health, behavior in relation to health promotion participation and empowerment. Psychology theories provide structural approaches to prevention through emphasis on barriers, cues and benefits that encourage or discourage a health behavior.
I am elated that the CDC oversees the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This institute strives to promote the application of psychology, particularly through Occupational Health Psychology. The inception of this field occurred after psychologists urged that the psychology field needs a proactive role in public health practice to prevent stress, illness and injury, especially regarding occupation. This is one major example of how psychology is being used in a major sector of public health. Thanks to the accomplishments of those like Dr. Hammond, we see these theories effectively applied as prevention strategies and program agendas materialize.
References:
Rodney Hammond's Interview
Murphy,
s., & Bennett, p. (2004). Health psychology and public health: Theoretical
possibilities (English). Journal Of Health Psychology, 9(1), 13-27.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Introduction
Hello and welcome! My name is Jasmine and I am a second year MPH student. The purpose of this blog is to document my progress in a Theory of Health Behavior course I am completing. I hope to expand upon the course content and use this as a digital portfolio. I would also like readers to learn more about the field of Public Health, too.
Here is a video my classmates and I viewed during a Foundations of Public Health course (first year, first semester). This is a general introduction to our field of study. Public Health is, indeed, everything and everywhere. Take a look for yourself. What does Public Health mean to you?
Here is a video my classmates and I viewed during a Foundations of Public Health course (first year, first semester). This is a general introduction to our field of study. Public Health is, indeed, everything and everywhere. Take a look for yourself. What does Public Health mean to you?
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