Eye see Public Health!

813 Chillin'

At first I had trouble thinking of a location to do take This is Public Health photo, but then I went to the first place I saw. Anyway, the Florida Eye Center on 46th street is, alone, a great example of a few of staples in the public health field. The exams and screenings that take place help discover and diagnose any number of vision problems a patient may be having. This a type of secondary prevention. If a person ends up getting prescribed a pair of glasses, the eye doctor is helping them see better which in turn will hopefully lead to less accidents and/or injuries to happen in the future. This is a type of primary prevention as a result of the glasses. In a worst case scenario a person may need to get surgery, Florida Eye Care does this as well. This is an example of tertiary care, and the rehab process can be considered tertiary prevention. When paying for your bill after seeing an eye doctor a person will have to show proof of health insurance. Regardless of the cost, a trip to the eye doctor is always worth it, even if you have perfect vision. Vision tests and eye examinations can often allow doctors to catch a ailment early and act quickly before you even have a visible problem. Without this and other eye care centers our society would not be as healthy or as safe. So remember to go visit your eye doctor at least once a year!

Wal-Mart Recycling Center

I think that it is very good idea to show people where they can go to drop off their recyclable goods. It is important to educate people on the benefits of reducing items such as plastic that get thrown into landfills across the country. I believe that most people who are already recycling know that they are playing a major role into keeping this planet clean, not only for themselves but also for future generations, that why are more likely to continue to recycle and possible try do other things that may effect the planet in a positive way. I think it is important to show that one person can make a difference and also maybe getting one person recycle will get them to influence others to follow their path.

Recycling Centers, Available near You!

 

 

We decided to put our “This is Public Health” sticker on a bottle return center at the local Wal-Mart. The sticker is located right where a person would insert the bottle to be recycled and reused. The placement of the sticker will allow people who are currently involved in recycling to know they are effecting public health in a positive way, and making this public health issue known to those who walk by. Wal-Mart is one of the largest retailers in the United States, so many customers frequent Wal-Mart on a daily basis. This serves as a prime location to advertise for public health and reach a wide range of demographics.

A failure to recycle amongst the majority of the population is an issue. When plastics are incinerated or buried in a landfill, they release harmful chemicals into our air and water.  Over time, if the majority of people in our society refuse to recycle, our environment is harmed.  As trash is burned, which is the norm, burned plastics release a dangerous toxin, which subsequently destroys the ozone layer.  If our ozone layer disintegrates, our environment would not be protected by UV rays from the Sun, which could increase instances of skin cancer amongst the population.  The increase of trash disposal from not recycling also possibly increases respiratory problems in the population.  Recycling plastic helps to reduce waste by reducing the amount of processing and manufacturing of new resources, and also reduces the need to extract resources from the earth.  Recycling one ton of plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space; which has an impact on public health that can only grow with the knowledge that recycling and reusing plastic is good for the population.

MetroRapid

 

MetroRapid

 

     The new Metro Rapid bus stations run North and South along Nebraska Avenue and East along Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Fl.
     We placed the Public Health sticker on a Metro Rapid bus stop on Fletcher Ave.  We chose this location because it’s a popular well known area, especially to USF students. Many students and other individuals that live and work in the area use public transportation and will most likely use the Metro Rapid. The Metro Rapid represents public health by looking after the environment. The hybrid buses use 87% fewer total hydrocarbons that diesel and get 18% more miles per gallon, and lower emissions compared to the traditional gasoline buses. The Metro Rapid buses create less pollution by using compressed natural gases, resulting in cleaner more efficient fuel. The Metro Rapid, being public transportation, also cuts down on the amount of accidents because there are fewer vehicles on the road with the use of buses. The issue of public transportation is important because not only can it promote people to walk, by having people walk to the bus stops instead of to their garages, but it also promotes a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone in the community. By using the Metro Rapid we can not only save our wonderful green earth, but we can also keep our lungs free of harmful exhaust fumes. Also having public transportation can decrease the number of motor vehicle accidents and make it safer for people to get from point A to point B.

 

Eat! Play! Lettuce Park!

Check This Out>>>It's Public Health! 

If you haven't been to Lettuce Park, then you NEED to take a trip there this SUMMER !

Our group decided to place the "This is Public Health Sticker" in Lettuce Lake Park upon a yellow sign warning parents that their child needs to be wearing a helmet if riding a bicycle. 

The location that we chose to place our public health sticker was Lettuce Lake Park on Fletcher towards I-75. Instead of picking one aspect, we chose the entirety of the park to represent public health. We chose this location because there are many aspects of the park that contribute to public health. Parks are very green: many parks have an abundance of trees and are home to a variety of wildlife. There are also trails for people to exercise on and walk their pets and playgrounds for kids. Lettuce Lake Park also has many water fountains to promote the drinking of water. Lettuce Lake Park, like all other parks, in general, provides a relaxing atmosphere for both kids and adults and is available to everyone of any socioeconomic status. 

For our public health blog we decided to go to Lettuce Park, we put our public health sticker next to a sign that said “Florida State law requires all children less than 16 years of age wear bicycle helmets.  Our sticker that was put on the sign represents a public health issue which is children safety and the issue of getting more children to be active. This sign, promotes outdoor activities for younger children and promotes safety. Looking into promoting more outdoor activities this sign represent children being more active and if children are more active than it can result in a better health outcome and a reduction of certain diseases.

This is an important issue because parks offer physical activities opportunities that promote exercise. This will help in reducing obesity. Also, parks provide people with a sense of nature.

You don't know what you're missing, until you've been to Lettuce Park!

It own by Hillsborough County and it $2.00 admission!

BY: Reanna Brown, Thelisha Aluc, Nisha Patel, Hanh Van Tran, and Schellsie Beaubrun

What’s More Urgent Than Urgent Care?

After contemplating where an ideal place would be to represent what we thought was public health, we decided to make a quick visit to the MedExpress Urgent care center. Not only is this establishment in an area where there are tons of families, it is close to the USF Tampa campus which would give college students an opportunity to take preventative measures as well.  As we know, it is important in public health to be preventative, and being able to visit a place like this is a perfect place to allow individuals to be just that. If you choose to visit a MedExpress you will come to find out that they have many different procedures that they can perform. They are available for something as simple as a sports physical to being able to take x-rays if it may be necessary. An annual sports physical allows the athletes to not only participate in their sport of choice but it also allows them to know if everything in their body is functioning the way it should be. This could also be considered preventative, considering the physician is making sure that your body is up to par. They also distribute vaccinations, including the vaccine to prevent chicken pox and the flu shot; these vaccinations allow individuals to attempt to prevent disease as their life progresses. MedExpress Urgent care center is an excellent source for patient treatment and preventive care, as well as an alternative to an emergency room or hospital setting in non-life-threatening situations.

By: Kayleigh Devereux and Amanda Lawrence

Promotion of Public Health: Medicare Benefits & Staying Healthy!

Promotion, one of the four P's of public health, is an important step to informing the public to living healthier lives. As apart of the new health care reform law, Medicare Part B and Part D is an expansion of the current program, and benefits many needing prescription drugs. Here at a local Walgreens, they have displayed important information regarding these benefits, including the ad that Medicare Part D members can save up to 75%! Public health is promoting the changes that many Medicare patients should be aware of, and people using Medicare are able to save more on prescription drugs at their local pharmacies. Inside the clinic they offer many helpful ways to stay healthy and informed. All of the brochures are free to the public, and informed pharmacists are available for additional information. There are also different brochures set out about HIV/AIDS and other transmitted diseases. The brochures go over about how to get tested and some therapy you can receive for having both condition and ways of preventing the spread of diseases. Also, public health is making it known to society that there are ways to save on prescription drugs for those who have a hard time affording them, and to be more aware of the STI’s affecting many people. There is also a promotion for a “walk with Walgreens.” Walgreens is spreading awareness for the products they are offering, as well as the help they are giving to the community.  Promotion and prevention are seen thoroughly in the displays to educate the public of all the ways to stay healthy and safe.

By: Shanalee, Kelsey, Jennifer, Elena, Cristina