Health promotion topics

After exploring some health promotion topics in the 'The Community Guide' (a resource compendium of more than 200 interventions that have been reviewed by the Task Force on Community Preventive Serviceshttp://www.thecommunityguide.org/index.html):

• Identify two topics that interest you regarding health promotion in your community
• Explain why these topics are of particular significance to you

The first topic which interests me is asthma, specifically in children. I am very concerned with the signs and symptoms of this illness being recognized.  The s/s can change as a child ages, or possibly not develop until they are older. Typically, when you think of asthma you think tightness of chest, and wheezing. However, a chronic persistent cough, complaint of frequent headaches, dark circles under the eyes, GERD, loss of appetite, and fatigue are other s/s that should be looked for and addressed in any child. Once a diagnosis has been made and the child is put on medications, it needs to be stressed/instilled that just because the child is feeling better does not mean they can stop their medications. My son has asthma, eczema, and allergies. He was diagnosed with allergies and eczema prior to his first birthday. But, at this young age he was also having reflux problems. It was through my persistence and after switching pediatricians, that he was finally diagnosed with asthma at the age of three. No child should be vomiting (projectile) every day, every meal, when upset, when playing and continue to show little growth or weight gain. Another sign for my son was that his coughing, etc. became worse at night. My son has been on Advair for several years, along with allergy medications like Claritin he is able to do very well and at the age of 7 he now has his blue belt in Jiu Jitsu, plus he can focus better in school. 

Reference:

WebMD, (Jan. 2011). Asthma Guide. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/nocturnal-asthma-nighttime-asthmahttp://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/nocturnal-asthma-nighttime-asthma

The second topic which interests me is oral health. In our community the water is not fluoridated.  When I was a child I took immaculate care of my teeth, however I still was called the cavity queen by my family, due to having so many cavities. My brother has never really taken great care of his teeth, however he has never had a cavity in his entire life. This was more likely due to his eating cheese every night before going to bed. My parents always taught us to take good care of our teeth. This was in part because my father's parents lost their teeth at an early age. His mother lost her teeth in her twenties.  If you have cavities, or generally do not take care of your teeth the bacteria inside your mouth can lead to not only gingivitis, but systemic diseases. Someone with an immunocompromised system is at a greater risk of morbidity. (NIDRC, 2010). Having cavities can allow the bacteria to get into your bloodstream. (Mayo, 2010). I have always been obsessed with good teeth. Ever since I was young it turned into a competition between me and my brother. Now, I am happy to say that I have not had a single cavity since I was a teenager. That was more than 20 years ago. My husband and my children have never had cavities. I also, do not have plaque buildup when I go for my exams every six months. I have always believed that a healthy smile indicates how you feel. I believe that it is important for children to be taught about good oral health while they are young so, they develop good habits and not wait until they have cavities or worse. 

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2011, Jan.) Division of Oral Health. Oral Health Resources. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/index.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/index.htm

Mayo Clinic Staff, (2010, Nov.). Adult Health. Oral health: A window to your overall health. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, (NIDCR),(2010, Mar.). Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General (Executive Summary). Retrieved from http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/nidcr2.nih.gov/Templates/CommonPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={7A6ABF55-F4F9-4FF9-9FC4-3BF6A423CD4F}&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDataStatistics%2fSurgeonGeneral%2fReport%2fExecutiveSummary.htm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#partThreehttp://www.nidcr.nih.gov/nidcr2.nih.gov/Templates/CommonPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b7A6ABF55-F4F9-4FF9-9FC4-3BF6A423CD4F%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDataStatistics%2fSurgeonGeneral%2fReport%2fExecutiveSummary.htm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest%23partThree