We placed our “This is public
health” sticker on the Tampa campus of Florida Hospital, one of an eight
hospital system in the state of Florida. The photo shows a smoking ban on the
Florida hospital campus, and was located near one of the backside entries to
the hospital. We chose this location to emphasize the relationship between
public health measures and the medical system. In essence, the study of public
health focuses on prevention of disease and promotion of health. On the other hand,
the medical system focuses on treatment of illness and disease. While public
health and medical care have contrary approaches most times, both are necessary
to maintain the health of a society. We must educate individuals on how to lead
healthy lifestyles as well as take care of those who, for reasons, perhaps
socioeconomic, financial situations, personal circumstances, were unable to and
thus fall to the mercy of the medical system. The juxtaposition of those still
healthy enough to prevent illness compared to those who are already ill is
evident in the No-Smoking sign posted. The sign asks those healthy enough to
still make their own health choices to please not smoke on the Florida Hospital
campus, in order to prevent further health injury to existing hospital
patients. Perhaps most interesting about the posted sign was that the campus
only became tobacco free in July of 2011, a little over one year ago. This
brings into question the true importance the government, and society place on
public health measures. The hospital was opened in 1968, so why did it take so
long to make a simple initiative to further protect the health of the hospital
patients? Nuances like this make evident that despite the longer term effects
of public health measures, American society still tends to adhere to the
medical care system, which provides only short term benefits and equally
costly, if not more, in comparison with public health measures.
I think it is interesting to relate this public health issues to matters we discuss in class, such as personal freedoms being taken away to benefit the whole of the population. To address the question of why this measure took so long to enact, I believe it has to do with Americans wanting to keep their individual freedom and choices regardless of possible negative outcomes. I believe it has taken years of research and thousands of cancer cases caused by tobacco to convince the population to accept a new policies of tobacco restriction.
ReplyDeleteSmoking in public places has been a controversial subject for years. Some people feel that being able to smoke is a right, and should be allowed in all public places. Others object to being exposed to second-hand smoke. After much debate, smoking is now being prohibited in many public venues. It has been decided that it is in the best interest of public health to limit exposure to individuals.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with this blog; for the simple fact, that smoking should be ban from all hospitals. Considering that patients undergo serious surgeries and due to the cancerous fumes may become a detriment to one's health and can even cause second hand smoke. Also, this should be highly encouraged because patients that are recovering from lung cancer, can be influenced to smoke again or can make them extremely sick. Eventually more hospitals will consider passing these polices in order to promote a healthier environment to public health.
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