Blog # 4

Should sex education be taught in the nation’s public schools, and if so, what kind of education should be provided? (Abstinence-only? Abstinence-plus?)

Millions of people die each year from Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases are spreading rapidly among the teens and young generations due to a lack of appropriate sex education. There is no doubt that these diseases could be controlled if we provide a good sex education to our people, especially youth. I am positive about implying sex education throughout our nation's public schools and making our young generations beware of sexually transmitted diseases. However, today's main concern and dilemma is what kind of education should we imply? and whether it is Abstinence -only or Abstinence- plus? Being abstain from sexual activities could bring out some serious consequences among young people. So, i don't think abstinence- only will work out to stop youth from being involved in unsafe sex practice. However, in my opinion the idea of using abstinence-plus could be a beneficial for all of us and especially to youth as it focuses on both aspects of sex education i.e., preventive aspects by using contraceptives and discouraging youth being involve in sexual activities before marriage or before they become capable of making right decisions. This abstinence-plus education will teach youth how to avoid unsafe sexual activities and also give them a good knowledge about the contraceptives. But, both techniques have pros and cons and what i think is, it really doesn't matter which approach we take as long as it is associated with the prevention of STD s but one thing for sure is that if we provide a good sex education in our schools i.e., to youth then they will definitely imply the same education in their future and practice the same safe sex methods including use of contraceptives.

Blog # 3

How can we encourage adolescents to follow healthy behaviors? Any ideas for parents, healthcare providers, health educators, media, society, etc?

In my opinion there is no better school than your own home and no better teachers than your own parents. Today's 21st century may have provided millions of youth a sophisticated learning environment but parent's knowledge and their influences are always important on their children. If parents could teach their children how to follow healthy behaviors, we can definetly lighten the load that health educators and media are facing. First, parents have to set themselves as an good example. Parental time is so important for children and it's the time when they get instructions and lessons of a daily life activities from their parents. During this time parents should teach their children about healthy behaviors including sex education. Parents should know about the outside influence on their childern including media and internet. It's a universal truth that children watch and imitate parents. So, it's very important that the parents should establish a healthy diet habit and positive comments infront of their children. I have seen that many of my friend's parents still hesitate talking about the sex education and they think that their children will definetly going to find out and learn about those stuffs when they get older.But, the fact is parents should tell them and educate before they embrace some bad attitudes towards a healthy behavior. Healthy behaviors could be anything ,from healthy diet habit to a safe sex practice and i think parents should be more educated to handle this kind of behaviors which directly influence their children.

Blog # 2

Do you believe that access to healthcare is a right or a privilege?

A nation where 45 million people are uninsured and many more still can't afford to go for a minor check up, i think healthcare should be a right not a privilege. We just can't ignore the fact that a nation's progress entirely depends upon it's people health and giving access to healthcare to all people regardless of race, gender and socio or economic status could be an incentive approach towards an establishment of a sound healthcare system. However, today people are given opportunities on the basis of his/her economic status. I think Our entire healthcare system shouldn't run on the basis of so called money minded government. Thousands of people get sick but can't go for a treatment early untill the last minutes when only emergency care could be provided because lot of people can't afford the regular treatment due to poor income status. So,i think we must end all these disparities and provide everyone with comprehensive health coverage. If we think that healthcare should be a privilege then we won't be able to gather everyone under a same condition where all people won't be ignored for at least a basic healthcare. So, healthcare should be a right, not just a privilege to some who could get all benefits. It should be a right guaranteed to all people.

TWU -HS 3133.50 Blog # 1

What health issues you are most concerned about? Why? Interview 2-3 women (different ages, ethnicities and/or cultures if possible) and ask them the same question. Are your concerns similar or different? Explain.

My biggest concern about the health issues are Diabetes and Obesity. Obesity and Diabetes lead to many diseases and today these problems are growing day by day all around the world. These problems occur due to unhealthy diet habits and lazy lifestyles. But for me, it comes with our family health history as my uncle and grandfather were diagonized with type-2 diabetes. Obesity could lead to heart related diseases. Today, obesity is one of the most concerned health related issues in America as young children are being overweight and diagonized with diabetes and other problems.

For, this blog purpose i decided to interview two women of different ages and backgrounds. First, Monica, a 22 year old lady from India told me that her biggest concern is related to AIDS. She told me thousands of people die each year in India and other parts of the world with this disease and there is no cure for it. She also told me that people are still lacking a good knowledge about preventing this disease so that they are still involved in unhealthy and unsafe sex activities.

Second lady, Qurina, 23 year old student from Nepal told me that her biggest concern is health insurance. She thinks that being an international student she couldn't afford to get a good insurance program and university's insurance only covers minimum health coverage. So, she is always afraid of getting into a health related problems and expenses that could make her life miserable.

So, in my opinion, AIDS is a big concern all around the world and specially for women as they are more vunerable of getting abused by their male partners and unsafe sex practice. Health insurance is also a big concern as we might not afford to go to the hospitals when we become ill due to the cost of high insurance fees and minimum coverage.