This is Public Health: Toilet Liners in Public Restrooms

Our group placed our public health sticker on a toilet liner dispenser in a public restroom located in the food court at the University Mall. We chose this location because it is frequently occupied by guests, all day long, and is full of germs. It is an important place for public health because the toilet is a receptacle for human body waste including fecal matter that contains a lot of bacteria. Using the toilet liner creates a barrier to prevent the occupant from coming in contact with foreign bacteria that may lead to infections and other diseases. A search on WebMD.com says the bacteria does not live long therefore the person utilizing the facility is not at high risk of being infected. However, we believe the extra, added protection of the liner provides a measure of comfort and safety in the occupants’ minds of knowing there is a barrier between them and the previous occupant. Also, when men sit, due to their anatomy, there is more of a chance of contact with the inside rim of the toilet, thus creating a bit more of an opportunity for germs to come into contact with their genitalia. Additionally, some people do not like to sit directly on the toilet seat so they will use the hover or squat position. The result could cause splatters and smears that would be left behind. In that case, the next occupant would have to wipe it down and put a liner down on the toilet seat. It is probably a personal preference with people and their bathroom habits. Some are probably more vigilant than others, but that is the risk you take when you use a public restroom. We think it is still a good preventative health practice to provide the liners in the public restrooms.

Group Members:

Dustin P.

Karen J.

Milora M.

Let's talk about SEX...

When we think of public health the four P's come to mind: population, prevention, promotion, and personal responsibility. Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides services and resources to the community to treat and/or maintain personal health, specifically sexual health. With a focus in preventative care, contraceptives such as condoms, birth control, etc., are supplied, and education about HIV/AIDS, sexual health, abortion, and family planning is made available. In fact eighty-three percent of clients come to this organization to receive supplies, such as contraceptives, to prevent unplanned pregnancies which are estimated to be over 612,000 every year. Taking action against the troubling issues of teen pregnancy, the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, and early detection of certain types of cancers, Planned Parenthood provides visitors with a comforting atmosphere, and more importantly, with privacy. Tests for HIV, STD's, UTI's, and examinations such as the PAP test, breast exam, and other routine screenings are also offered.

In Tampa the center of Planned Parenthood can be found in a little hidden plaza right off 56th Street, and before the street light at Puritan Road. The area surrounding is a seemingly less privileged an underdeveloped neighborhood in Temple Terrace, which is the reason we decided this location would be great place for our public health sticker. It is in the epicenter of the demographics most in need of affordable health care, that of lower income families, college students/young adults, and teens lacking the finances demanded by physicians and/or lacking the insurance. With the belief that every individual has the right to his/her own sexual health, despite his status, ethnicity, or age, they fight to provide each individual with the care and knowledge needed to make smart decisions about her sexual health. From a healthy individual materializes a healthy community, an ideal representation of what public health does in our society.

BY: Amisha Chapadia, Brycen Herman, Jessica Cambridge, and Stephanie Velardi

Would You Like a Side of Diabetes with that Whopper?

Considering that we are the “Microwave Generation” it doesn’t come to a surprise that most Americans go to fast food restaurants for most of their meals. The drive thru has taken the place of Sunday dinner in many homes. Though consuming ready-made food is clearly the easier option than a home cooked meal, there are many consequences that coincide. If people only knew that an apple today keeps obesity at bay they would make much healthier choices.

To be honest, most of us would have frequent flyer miles at the local McDonald’s, but would ever admit to that due to its poor nutritional value. With that said, our group posted the ‘This is Public Health” sticker on the one place we all know best: the Burger King menu. We felt that this location has a major impact on our nation’s health conditions. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are at the top of the list for leading causes of death in America.

Knowing this, people continue to binge on greasy burgers and super size fries.

Obesity is a common problem in the United States where one in three Americans is considered obese. In fact, there are children as young as six that have been diagnosed with this problem as well. This fact is important because in the long run, these poor eating habits can be life threatening. People tend to consume foods with less nutritional value and more fat. Meals should be well balanced among the food groups. Time, convenience, taste, and cost are some of the factors contributing to why people eat fast food.

All in all, the fact still remains that eating malnutritious foods can lead one’s downfall. Healthy People 2020 is the goal for Americans to become more proactive and take initiative for their well-being. Since we are now aware of these issues, the people who turn into the Burger King drive-thru will face this public health concern.

Participants: Christina Walters, Layla Aysheh, Michelle Christie, and Jusena Supreus.