Public Health is Knowledge

Information is Power

One of the best things about Public Health is that it helps to empower and educate individuals to make healthy choices. In this Subway, we found a sheet with nutritional information for the various types of food products sold at the store. Simple measures like this allow hungry shoppers to easily see the dietary pros and cons of the food they may be about to order. Public Health ideas like this one will help our nation by helping us better understand what we put in our body, and If measures like this one could be expanded, we would better equip our population with the knowledge to manage and increase their own health. After all, who hasn’t stopped in at a restaurant or other food shop to quickly grab lunch or a bite to eat as we go about our busy day? A little bit of clear information helps in those moments, and this poster was easy to read as well as positioned directly near the ordering area. Recently, we heard in the news how a larger share of Americans are, or are predicted to become, overweight or obese. These conditions lead to a long list of preventable diseases and illnesses, both chronic and long term. Everything from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes all become more likely from a population point of view as the rates of overweight/obese increase. Transparency about nutritional information and food content will help us combat this growing problem, especially as our nation grapples with rising health care costs and national debt.
This *is* Public Health!

Dominika Zugaj, Michael Nelson and Jamanda Simmons

Car Safety is a step for Prevention

We decided to take a picture of a car seat and a vehicle in the background, because car seats and vehicles have been made to prevent deaths and injuries. Car safety ties in to public health because it is a prevention measure. Accidental deaths are caused every year by traffic accidents no matter who is at fault. Having seatbelt laws, car seats for children, and airbags constitutes the meaning of public health because these simple yet needed items are the main cause of accidental death when neglected. It is important for us to realize that taking easy precautions throughout the day makes an important decision for our lives. Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. 
As a result of this statistic, stricter laws and improved car safety have been developed and enforced to aid in the decline of deaths by automobile, and because of this, fatalities in motor vehicle crashes have declined by about 25 percent since 2005. The mandate for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts probably was the single thing that stimulated the decline of automobile related deaths in the United States. This is evident in the statistic produced by the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics, which documented that the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,546 lives in 2010. The evolution of car safety is becoming more important each day because people are investing in them more and more, so there has to be new and improved safety measures put into the cars each year.
Along with laws mandating the use of seat belts for drivers and adult passengers, the use of child safety seats is also a major factor in the safety of children throughout the country. Florida law requires that any child under five years old must be properly strapped into any vehicle no matter where they are seated. The law also makes certain stipulations based on age and size, such as the fact that infants under the age of one and under 20 pounds must ride in a rear facing car seat. Because of the use of this simple safety mechanism, the NHTSA estimates that nearly 9,000 lives were saved by child restraints between 1975 and 2008.
In conclusion, car safety equipment such as air bags, seat belts, and children car seats are a big YES, to public health. It screams prevention,  these equipments save lives and causes injuries to not be as bad as they could have been. The law implemented laws to mandate seat belt wearing and having children in car seats help to enforce the prevention. We realize that automobile accidents are the top of list for causes of deaths and we found a way to cut those numbers. Cars are much safer than they use to be.Who would have thought that car mechanics and public health had a connection?

Posted by:
Chuks Ibekwe
Andrew Santiago
Telicia Davis
Josh Miller

Underage Tobacco Use

THIS IS PUBLIC HEALTH 

 Underage Tobacco Use

"BUYING TOBACCO FOR MINORS COULD COST YOU"

"UNDER 18, NO TOBACCO"

                 Public Health is a field of many options. Public Health mostly focuses on a specific group. The group I chose is teens from the age of 13-17 whom smoke underage. Smoking tobacco is a public health issue in many ways. However focusing on underage smoking among teens age 13-17 has become an important issue in public health. Growing up I was well aware thanks to public health programs, the deadly dangers caused by smoking or using tobacco products. Also both of my parents smoke cigarettes and dealing with second hand smoke my entire life was not fair to me, the victim, who cannot control the person smoking tobacco. Second hand smoke has always been a rising issue in public health, theories show that second hand smoke is more harmful then actually smoking a cigarette. I strongly support the cause for Tobacco Free Florida. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has recently become a smoke-free campus. I urge that USF Tampa and other campuses around the nation implement this same rule.

                  For my "This is Public Health" sticker I went to a local gas station. I chose this location because it is close to USF and the surrounding Hillsborough county schools. I also decided to use this gas station because I know that they always ask for I.D. The exact location is the Southeast corner of Fletcher and 56th street. There are today stores out there which do not I.D. I think it is important for stores like this to be shut down and for the importance of not selling to minors to be strongly enforced. Children whom smoke under the age of 18 are twice as likely to suffer the negative outcomes caused when smoking. Some side effects from smoking include aging sooner, yellow teeth, chronic cough, lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer; not to mention cigarettes are highly addictive, and  may lead to death.  I hope that tobacco is a product which soon becomes illegal. The detrimental effects of tobacco does not balance out the "benefits" of manufacturing tobacco products. The issue of using tobacco products underage is important because there are only negative outcomes. Children, teens, nor anyone for that matter should not be smoking due to the increased chance of death after every cigarette smoked. 

Public Health at Wendy's

     As I learn in class, Public Health is all about promoting health and preventing diseases. Now we see Public Health everywhere in our community in the hospitals, the parking lots, just to name a few. I was asking myself where is a significant place I could put my “What is Public Health” sticker. I went to a Wendy’s restaurant located at Bearss Avenue; I noticed that in the restroom not only that they are promoting hand washing for the customers; they are requiring it for the employees. The employees at this Wendy’s could not leave this restroom, no matter what reason they enter it for, without washing their hands.
     Well, you could be asking how that is a public health issue. These employees are touching, preparing foods that many people are eating. They can carry bacteria from the restroom and deposit them in the utensils, the wraps, plates, boxes they put the food in, or to other employees. These customers, who trust the food from Wendy’s, could be getting sick from their favored meal. Imagine if people are getting sick from this place, how many people from that community would be sick. It is important for the Public Health people and the customers to be sure that the employees are washing their hands, and not have to worry about getting any bacteria like E-coli, Salmonella, Streptococcus or many others by the employees from the restroom. This is important because Public Health has to make sure that the population is being safe.

Public Health in Walmart !

                Taking this class, I’ve been realizing that public health is really everywhere; especially at my place of employment. I am a cashier at Wal-Mart Super Center and I placed my “This is Public Health” sticker at a Spill Station, one of many located throughout Wal-Mart stores. Spill Stations are basically closets around every store that are used to clean up any and every type of spill that is located on “the Floor”. “The Floor” are the areas in Wal-Mart were our customers shop; basically, everywhere in the store except for the backroom and the stock area.

           These stations are used mainly by the associates at Wal-Mart, but are accessible for customers as well. Spill Stations are equipped with cleaning disinfectant spray if something is needed to be disinfected, towels for cleaning up known spills, caution spill sign for when the spill is drying and no associate is guarding the drying area, a substance that works like kitty litter (which I don’t remember the name of) for spills that are chemicals (i.e. bleach, toilet cleaners, Drano), gloves which is mandatory to use for any unknown spills and chemical spills, goggles and an apron for more radical spills (usually found in the automotive area), bags and buckets to place dangerous debris in, broom and shovel, and our emergency spill procedures manual that tells the associate what to do and use for what type of spill and how to label and store the spill debris. Every spill is recorded and has to be placed in its proper designated hazardous spill bucket in the backroom. These Spill Stations are used to minimize and prevent the accidents of our customers and associates and to create a less hazardous shopping experience and workplace environment. We associates are accountable for the safety of every customer that walks into our stores and have been trained to do our best to have a safe environment for all. 

Safety First in the Restroom!

It is no secret that public restrooms tend to be a little on the dirty side. Also, as much as we would all like to say that everyone washes their hands after using the restroom, this is sadly far from the truth. This makes public bathrooms an extremely easy place for germs and bacteria to live just waiting to get on the next clean person that walks through the door. While deciding where I should put my "This is Public Health"sticker, I found myself in a very clean restroom in a restaurant I was eating at with my parents. I realized that this is what public health is all about. Public restrooms are getting better with trying to promote good health decisions in the restroom, like the bathroom pictured here, with the new automatic sinks and hand dryers so that no one has to touch dirty things with their just cleaned hands. This helps with preventing spreading of common germs found in bathrooms. So many people go in and out of public restrooms every day that it would be all too easy to pick up something bad and unwanted without even meaning it. Also, in the stalls of the bathroom I found there were toilet seat covers that individuals could place on the toilet seat to ensure maximum cleanliness while using the restroom. This constitutes public health to a "T" because these covers are preventing the spread of disease and promoting others to think wisely before just using the public bathroom like it was their own personal restroom. So much bacteria can live on all surfaces of a bathroom, so having these covers conveniently placed in each stall gives the user a healthy option instead of just sharing the germs found there from plenty of users before you. Another extremely scary thought is that sexually transmitted organisms can also live on the surface of a toilet seat. Although it is rare and far fetched to say you could catch crabs from using the public toilet, it definitely happens! And I think it is safe to say no one wants crabs!! Using these seat covers can greatly reduce your chances of catching any sort of unwelcome diseases. I've realized now after contributing to this blog, that public health measures are everywhere without any notice. But, when you find your self in a pleasantly clean public restroom, you start to thank those who came up with the new, clean ideas that surround you in modern restrooms. 

Public Health and Mall

Public health & the mall

When you think about the phrase “Public Health”, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? The term, Public health, focuses on population health through the prevention of diseases and the promotion of health. For this assignment, Jean, Nick and I, traveled into our local community to find something that constitutes “Public Health”. We placed our public health sicker in the University Mall, on a public hand sanitation machine, located near a “caution wet floor” sign. Our group choose this location because we thought the mall represented a great public place that everyone from the local community goes to, whether its to shop, get a hair cut, eat, or socialize. Within the mall, Jean and Nick found a Hand Sanitation machine, which we thought was, a perfect representation of public health. These machines are intended to prevent individuals from disease and promote healthy behavior. On a daily basis, we use our hands more than we think, for example: handling money, using the restroom, carrying shopping bags, shaking hands with a friend, or even texting on the cell phone. All of the examples listed, are considered fomites, or non-living objects that carry bacteria. Fomites can infect individuals who come into contact with them, and spread diseases. Whenever there is a public place, often times involving high volumes of people, fomites are everywhere, and therefore, leavening more people prone to infectious diseases if they do not take proper health precautions. This issue is important because bacterial diseases spread quickly and easily, and can be very harmful; especially if you are that employee who just used the restroom, didn’t wash hands, and now handing your customer their shopping bags. (Yuck, E.coli everywhere!) You can’t see bacteria, but they are present. Hand sanitation kills 99% or bacteria. All in all, Jean, Nick and myself, agree that proper sanitation constitutes public health, and solves the issue of spreading bacteria in a public place, such as the mall.      

Jasmine , Nick and Jean 

Bench Press Your Way into a Better Lifestyle

Avalon Fitness Center gives its residents the perfect opportunity to stay healthy and remain fit. Avalon Fitness Center is located in the first building of the apartment complex. Residents of Avalon most likely range from undergraduate to graduate students of the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College Students and the younger population of the Tampa local community. We chose this place due to the fact that we personally use the Fitness Center and thought that it was the perfect place that promotes public health. Avalon Fitness Center is very convenient to its residents since it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We realized that this choice reflects the “if you build it, they will come” cliché, because the convenience allows public health to take place and sculpt the youth. Avalon’s Fitness Center can be used to boost overall well being. Fitness can boosts one’s confidence and self esteem. Furthermore, fitness can be used to relieve stress. Avalon’s Fitness Center allows residents to over come personal issues such as obesity. Residents can work towards their goal at any time of the day and week. Overall health and fitness is an important issue because going to the gym a couple times a week can impact your life drastically. Most importantly it impacts your health. Obesity is a serious issue in the United States. 33.9% of the U.S. population over 20 years of age is obese. This is a mind-blowing statistic. Obesity leads to many health issues that can follow someone throughout their lives. This may also mean they are capable of obtaining many medical expenses from medications or procedures that can lead to additional stress and make everyday life a struggle. 

"Workout Better"

Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness on Fowler and 56^thstreet gives everyone the opportunity to have access to a healthier lifestyle through exercise. Not only do they have locations all around the world, they are also open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! It is available to its members who work late-night shifts or those who just want to fit in an early morning workout session. This poster in particular, is a part of  Anytime Fitness's "anytime health" campaign that is accessible through their website. The Workout Better section (this poster), allows members to build better workouts by giving them access to hundreds of exercise videos. Some videos are custom for people at different life stages and also those with various health conditions. It also allows you to set your own workout schedule with email reminders for motivation!

60% of all adults in the US are considered overweight. Obesity is one of the biggest public health issues of our century, affecting both adults and children. A child having overweight parents is more likely to be overweight themselves. Obesity contributes to a large number of preventable health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and even cancer.  These conditions may be chronic or possibly deadly. Exercise has been scientifically proven to decrease the chances of obesity and ultimately, preventing health conditions caused by being overweight.

This poster is Public health because Anytime Fitness is focusing on promoting health through exercise! By giving their members 24/7 access to the gym, and having easily accessible workout plans and diets on the internet, Anytime Fitness is doing their part in promoting the overall well-being of our nation!

Posted by:
Jessica Exline
Stacy Ortega
Renee Cover
Danielle Broadstone

The place that keeps on giving!

For the "This is Public Health Blog" our group decided to post our sticker at the local Walgreens pharmacy. More specifically in the flu and common cold medication aisle. Over the last several years, Public Health officials have been making strives in preventative medications and vitamins as well as with ads that praise washing your hands and insuring you get your flu shot before you get the flu.

 When it comes to preventing the common cold, and more specifically influenza, the field of Public Health has always been involved in assuring citizens that they are there to help and to be resourceful. With this, Walgreens, or any pharmacies for that matter, have always bee great resources for people to find all that they might need in preventing illness, and/or getting what they do need once they have already come down with something.

While wandering around the store, trying to figure out where the best place to place our sticker might be, seeing as how Walgreens is full of Public health opportunities, the group came across a woman who looked a little under the weather,; in fact, she happened to be getting some mucus and cough medicine. After we talked about it, we all agreed that if the woman getting these medications had only maybe come there a few weeks earlier for some hand soap or vitamins, or maybe even some hand sanitizer, that maybe she would have been able to prevent from going there to, in turn, get suppressants to mask how she was feeling, sick!

All in all, the Walgreens pharmacy has always been a resourceful place for people to not only get there medications and vitamins, but also a great place to talk to pharmacist in order to see what preventative measures they might be able to take in order to not get sick at all. 

Group members: Elizabeth Sigler, Ericka Gutierrez, and Olivia Leal --

Could you give me a hand?

     For the "This is Public Health" blog, our group decided to check out the nearest mall to our USF campus.  University mall we thought, would be a very pretentious location for Public Health.  Little did we know that the mall was making subtle changes that we may have never noticed were we there on our own accord.
    Once our group wandered towards the food court we noticed that many people who left this area approached a hand sanitizing station prior to boarding the escalator.  Immediately we noticed the public health implications.  The picture above is our sticker on the hand sanitizing dispenser.  This dispenser correlates to public health in every manner. 
    The food court is probably one of the least cleanly places in this mall.  It is located upstairs between restrooms, a tattoo shop and a movie theater.  Along with eating, people are exchanging money as well which is a notorious germ distributor.  Seeing as many people do not wash their hands AFTER eating, these hand sanitizers were installed to deter some of the germs from being carried throughout the mall.  The location is prime because one-by-one guests have to board the decelerating escalator but not until they have passed the hand-sanitizing dispenser.
   This simple dispenser can contribute to cleanliness in countless ways.  The location is perfect for maximum efficiency.  Cleaner hands can prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria, and even food-born illnesses from the food court.  This is a prime example of how Public Health's often overlooked contributions, keep our nation healthy and prosperous.

Plastic vs. Glass

Our public health issue is the use of plastic water bottles. We chose to put our “this is public health” sticker in a Starbucks because they sell glass cups and water bottles-a healthier alternative to plastic water bottles. Everyone loves the convenience and eco-friendliness of a reusable plastic water bottle, but how safe are they to drink from? Studies have shown that bisphenol A (BPA) can be dangerous for children. While there is no conclusive evidence, many parents are switching to BPA-free plastic bottles to avoid any side effects from BPA. As for disposable plastic bottles, the chemical polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can increase bacteria levels. If the bottle is reused and isn’t washed between uses, an accumulation of bacteria from the hands and mouth of the user is formed. If exposed to heat or frequent handling, water bottles that contain PET can also leach chemicals into the beverage that is kept in the bottle. A great alternative to plastic bottles are glass bottles, which we found in several different forms at our local Starbucks coffee shop. Glass bottles are safer because they don’t contain chemicals like BPA and PET and they are cleaner in that they don’t collect bacteria as easily as plastic. Another non-plastic option is stainless steel bottles which are more durable than glass and offer the same health benefits. Glass bottles are also more expensive than their plastic counterparts but if you are careful not to break them they may last longer and remain safe to use for longer. If you do choose to use disposable plastic water bottles, do not subject them to extreme heat or reuse them an excessive number of times. If you use reusable plastic water bottles, keep them clean by washing them frequently with antibacterial soap.   

--Ana, Amanda, Aklil and Courtney

Information from

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082102029_2.html

http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/can-reuse-plastic-water-bottle-over-over-2311.html