M3.2 Vulnerable Populations
After going through the videos and readings, I’ve noticed that we,
as public health professionals, are indeed the upstreamists who look for the
origin of the problem in order to prevent it from happening before people
become ill or seriously affected by a preventable health issue. Indeed, health
begins at home and where we spend a major part of our time during the day and
night. Health of an individual also starts with his or her mother even before
the pregnancy. However, not everyone is aware of this approach. But if everyone
has a physician who is knowledgeable about the issue and is willing to spend
the time to educate their patients about the environmental issues that could
potentially affect their health, I think we can significantly increase awareness
and opportunities for solutions. Therefore, I think physicians such as PCPs, OBGYNs,
or pediatricians are the effective advocates to educate their patients about
how the condition of their home, school, and work can significantly impact
their health. The physicians also need to educate the patients on the harmful
environmental chemicals that they are being exposed to on the daily basis and
that they might possibly be the cause of whatever symptoms the patients have that
indicate health adverse.
In addition, I believe that we are in dire need for a reform on US
laws that required new and existing chemicals to be fully tested before going
on the market and to be used in everyday products that can be exposed to
children and adults. Why are the policy makers and leaders have not taken any
significant step toward this direction even though there’re abundance amount of
evidence that show the significant impact on human health that these toxins
have caused? How much power does the chemical industry has in controlling and
shaping the laws that can protect the consumers from effects of harmful toxins?
Are we going to keep overlooking the problem until it is too late for ourselves
and for the future generations? At least for the time being, what can public health
professionals do to try to steer this problem and ideas for solutions toward
the right direction?
Hi Nha,
ReplyDeleteI agree that health starts with his or her mother even before pregnancy because there's a chance that toxic chemical damage are passed thru genes. In one of the videos, it showed that toxic chemicals can affect an unborn child. In result, children are being born with birth defects. I agree with what you said about the government requiring new existing and new chemicals to be fully tested. I'm also curious if chemical industries are controlling the government in shaping the laws. I think the government should require manufacturers to undergo numerous testings also like how they require pharmaceutical companies to undergo testings. The government need to pay more attention to the toxic chemicals and its health effects, and make more stricter policies.
- Krissy
Hi Nha,
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn that the most exposure happens during pregnancy. I never realized how much gets passed on during the time in the womb. It's upsetting that more doctors don't provide more information on environmental exposures for pregnant women to avoid. I do agree that there needs to be stricter laws and reform in the US.
Hi Nha,
ReplyDeleteYou and me both. When will the federal government say enough is enough? Sheesh. It seems like they turn a blind eye to the overwhelming research and evidence that shows how toxic and harmful to our health unregulated chemicals are and thus choose inaction favoring the companies over the people. It is up to us as public health professionals to work collaboratively with doctors and nurses towards advocating for the health of the population, the patients, our families, and for ourselves!