Our group went on a trip to Publix -- all wearing our seat belts, of course!
In
the 20th century, motor vehicle safety was one of the top 10 public
health achievements. Our group intended to demonstrate one of the ways in which
public health has influenced motor vehicle safety. We placed the “This is
Public Health” sticker on a car seatbelt. The objective of public health is the
promotion of awareness and prevention at the primary, secondary and tertiary
levels. The encouragement and enforcement of seat belt usage would be an
example of secondary prevention, which minimizes the severity of injury.
The
concept of seat belts is a relevant issue because according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “motor-vehicle crashes were the 11th
leading cause of death in 2009.” Furthermore, several accidents occur in the Tampa
area, especially in the university area around USF.
Additionally,
motor vehicle safety is a reoccurring issue: People drive every day and
everywhere, and adolescents in Florida may begin driving with a permit as young
as 15. Thus, the issue of motor vehicle safety affects a large population.
Since public health is concerned with the health of the whole community, rather
than focused on the health of the individual, this matter is definitely a
public health issue. Simple regulations and amendments such as speed limits and
seat belts may reduce injury and save lives. While our project cannot prevent
aggressive or reckless driving accidents, we can advocate the simple decision
to wear a seatbelt to prevent severe injury in the event of an accident.
[Prima Alonzo, Rajesh Melarum, Hollie French]
I absolutely loved your Public Health blog. This is a very unique idea but it also such a classic. This is a very wonderful thing to remind us (everyone is our class) about. Most of us drive everyday and everywhere just like you said, so this Public Health topic hits very close to home for all of us. Thank you for reminding us all. Everyone should always wear their seatbelts.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your Public Health blog as well and also that its about something that effects many people in everyday life. This to me seems like a great idea because so many of us on the road just get in our cars and go and forget to wear a seat belt. Also, with so many people on the road around the area we live in, its much safer to drive with the seat belt on. This is a great reminder that even when your in a hurry you should always wear seat belt, no matter how far your driving.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great idea on how to demonstrate public health. The thought of knowing that safety is a public health issue is a good thing. The first thing that would come to someone mind is food health and safety when thinking of public health. Many people would believe that they are safe in many of their daily activities and take wearing a seat belt for granted, but at the end of they day it sure does save your life.
ReplyDeleteSomething so simple as buckling a seat belt every time somebody gets in a car is very critical issue in public health. It is so important that if a person doesn't buckle up, the police enforce a ticket. This issue is so important because buckling up would easily prevent deaths and people flying through the windshield. Personally, I've been in a car accident where a seat belt saved my life. Sometimes, when people discover how important buckling up is, it is too late so prevention should start early.
ReplyDelete