Tower Breast Diagnostic Center!

                                                  Tower Breast Diagnostic Center!

For this project we decided to go to Tower Breast Diagnostic Center, located near the University Mall. We chose this location because they perform mammograms and other screening services, such as AAA screening and ultrasounds. Screenings such as these are incredibly important to public health because public health is all about preventative care. If more people get mammograms and are aware of their health, they can catch abnormalities sooner and thus have better health outcomes. This particular kind of prevention is secondary, which focuses on diagnosing health problems and treating them before they get worse.

Overall, this comes to show how important public health is to our society and the entire world. Without people telling us what and what not to do, there can never be progression in people's health. Women's breast cancer is something that has taken a huge effect on many people and it is important that women are being tested and checked. It was always better when things are taken care of ahead of time before it is too late. This shows the importance on how health affect's our lives.  Public Health is a very important issue in our society. As the days continue to arise, more and more people see how it affects our environment and need more help from people. A woman suffering from breast cancer again is a huge problem in the United States and also very important to public health and this is why we chose to go to the Tower Breast Diagnostic Center. 

Elevator or Stairs?

We placed our sticker in a stairwell that was located near the elevators in an apartment complex. We choose the stairs because stairs in an apartment complex, or any other building are not only a safety necessity, but also an excellent way to stay active. If there were any kind of fire or electrical issue in the building, the elevators wouldn't work. In order for people to go from floor to floor in the event of an emergency stairs are a public health necessity. If buildings provide stairs that are more readably available (for instance near the elevators) then more people are likely to take them.  Stairs are an excellent way to stay heart healthy and live an active lifestyle. Taking the stairs offers a cardiovascular exercise while also increasing leg strength and aerobic capacity. Weight loss can also be achieved if one decides to use the stairs regularly over the elevator. Changing one simple regular routine to using the stairs, may lead to better health decisions as well. Not only is taking the stairs add to your daily recommended 30 minutes of exercise, it is essentially a free workout. Health isn’t only the benefit of taking the stairs, but it also is a time and energy saver. Stairs offer a faster arrival time to the destination during peak times when elevators are in heavy use. Less energy is consumed when people opted out of using the elevator to take the stairs. Providing access to stairs in buildings offers safety during emergencies and a healthy lifestyle option to everyone.

By: Lauren Rhodes, Tayler Meyers, and Erika Solloway

The Roof ...the roof is on Fire ... LOL

            We placed our, “This is Public Health” sticker on the Hillsborough County Fire Department’s fire trucks. The Fire Department have provided Tampa Bay with excellent services of saving lives. These firefighters and their trucks represent hope, courage and honor. This is why we choose to place the public health sticker at the front of the truck. When the fire alarm goes off, they start driving and public health is to the rescue.

            This represents a public health issue because these Fire Departments are a form of primary and tertiary prevention. They are considered a form of primary prevention because they help prevent the spread of the fire, thus saves lives. They are also considered a form of tertiary prevention because when they put out fires, rescue people that are already affected by the fire. Apart from saving humans, they also save our environment and other forms of life. For instance, if a case of a fire breakout in a forest, these professionals stop the fire spreading any further and inhibit it from harming the ecosystem.

            This issue is important because it decreases the death rate of things that could be prevented, such as car crashes, plane crashes, fires, and other emergency situations. Firefighters also inspect aircrafts, buildings and equipment that could be potential fire hazards. Thus this provides another form of primary prevention. They also provide classes and training for various skills such as first aid and CPR services, and educate the public about safety measure when dealing with hazardous situations.

Every day these courageous people step into work with no fear and ready to save lives. They fight for Public Health!

Done by: Xilefny, Shuchita, Ahana, Sushma & Jasmine

Free Flu Shots!

My group decided to place our “this is public health” sticker on a sign outside of Walgreen’s that said “Flu Shots Available Here!” This Walgreen’s is located on the corner of Fletcher Ave and Bruce B Downs Blvd. We chose this location because Walgreen’s is a common place for a variety of individuals and families to go and therefore this sign could educate a lot of people.

Getting your flu shot is a public health issue for many reasons. The influenza arose as a pandemic in 1918 which killed millions of people. Many people don’t think that today’s flu would hurt them and come up with excuses like, “I never get the flu,” or “Getting the flu isn’t that bad.” Is a million people dying not “that bad?” A flu shot would not only protect the individual from contracting the flu, but if most of the people in a population get the shot then those who don’t are protected by what’s called “herd immunity.” Herd immunity works in a way that if one person doesn’t get the flu shot or can’t for any reason such as allergies, then they are still protected if everyone else around them is vaccinated because they have no one to get it from.

The flu shot is dangerous and can even be fatal so therefore it’s extremely important for the entire public to get their flu shot if possible in order to avoid another pandemic of this virus.  Especially if places like Walgreen’s offer the shot for free, why not take the chance to protect yourself and those around you at no cost? 

Have a Safe Climb!

HAVE A SAFE CLIMB SAFE!

            Ladder safety is important, I never thought about this until I visited a Staples store on Bruce. B. Downs. What caught my attention was a board that was placed on all the ladders which explained the significance of ladder safety and provided instructions on how to cautiously use it. It is a great measure in terms of Public Health safety. That’s when I realized that although we might not give much thought to this but any fall could actually result in serious injuries. This is not only bad for the person falling but also for others who might be under/near the person who falls. What one should consider before using a ladder is its duty rating: its’ length and the maximum amount of weight it is capable of carrying. This is and should be mentioned in the instruction label on the ladder for the benefit of all. From the public health point of view, some basic rules to keep in mind while using ladders include:

1. Top of the ladder step should never be used as a step. 

2. Always face the ladder while ascending or descending. 

3. Use one hand at all times to grasp a side of the ladder, no matter how heavy/light the object you are carrying. It is for your best to not carry an object that might cause you to lose balance. 

4. Ladders should not be moved/extended at any point of time while in use and the person using it should not overextend or lean sideways. 

5. Do not start work unless the safety lock or personal fall arrest system is in place. 

6. Be sure that the surface of every step on the ladder and the soles of your shoes are dry at all times to avoid slipping.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

There are two major components in the field of Public Health: prevention and promotion. Public health advocates prevent the public from harm and/or sickness and promote healthy living. Since emotional support is extremely important to an individuals overall health, our group chose to focus on the promotion of mental health. We placed our sticker on the National Suicide Hotline informational advertisement on the back of a James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital Mobile Outreach Clinic. The clinic is currently located in the rear of the James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital.

Although the advertisement is located on the back of the Mobile Outreach Clinic, it is not exclusively directed to veterans but to all members of the public in need of help. The hotline is available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week.  They offer a wide range of support from talking, texting, and online chatting. There are crisis counselors that are bilingual, able to support veterans, able to support minors as young as three years old, and able to support friends and family.    

In 2010, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention placed suicide as the 10th highest cause of preventable premature deaths. Part of suicide’s high ranking is because it affects people from all genders, ages, races, and/or social economic status.  Over the past few years, there have been many strides in the promotion of preventing suicide such as World Suicide Prevention Day, which is September 9th and coincides with National Suicide Prevention week, whish is from September 9th thru 15th.

For more information about the National Suicide Hotline:
1-800 273-TALK(8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Location of Mobile Outreach Clinic as of 9/22/12:

James A Haley VA Hospital

!300 Bruce B Downs Boulevard

Tampa Florida 

(813) 972 2000

Reference List:

The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. (2010). Facts and Figures. Retrieved From

http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?page_id=04EA1254-BD31-1FA3-C549D77E6CA6AA37

By: Nicholas, Toni, Shakira, and Vi

Truck Safety...Oh yeah it's Public Health!

Our group placed the public health sticker on the truck safety sign for the Cardinal Health Company located on McKinley Drive, Tampa. Cardinal Health is a company that strives to promote better, safer healthcare delivery to hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. Cardinal Health put the truck safety sign up before the entrance to the gate, so when the trucks pull up it is a constant reminder of the safety rules they must uphold. We chose this location because McKinley Drive has a high traffic volume. Many accidents can occur if safety rules are not met, especially when it comes to safely operate heavy machinery, like trucks. Since Cardinal Health is an active transportation service, there will be countless trucks frequently coming and going. It is important that the truck drivers accurately and efficiently enter the premises so as not to hold up any ongoing traffic. This represents a major public health issue because it is a form of primary prevention. This particular company has this sign up to remind the drivers to follow the stated actions: 1) Set parking brake, 2) Turn off engine, and 3) Chock the wheels. Moreover, when it comes to larger corporations, such as Cardinal Health, safety rules are a necessary implementation. It is an important issue because it ensures the safety of both truck drivers and any personnel who work with the trucks. The sign helps truck drivers to be informed or reminded on how to safely secure the trucks. For example, if the brakes were not properly secured, then it the truck would move without any supervision; which might lead to a detrimental accident. To prevent any hazards or unnecessary accidents with operating heavy machinery, the sign reminds truck drivers how to both accurately and efficiently secure the truck when they arrive.

-Jelise Singh

-Re'Shawna Funderburk

-Jamiera Franklin

-Ivan Salazar