Population Health and Health Promotion - Promoting Occupational Health - Essay Example

 Population health and health promotion Recycling This photo conveys a message on recycling as a measure of promoting environmental health. It is thus embedded in the context of environmental health. The photo portrays a cyclic of three green arrows that epitomize a continuous process, in this case recycling. Recycling is a process through which waste materials are remade into new products so as to prevent and reduce pollution (Silverman, 2008). The photo is situated next to shopping malls and grocery stores so as to remind consumers on the need to recycle some of the products they have purchased so as to protect the environment. Everyday, millions of plastic bags, plastic bottles, papers, defective cells, computers and car batteries and spare parts are disposed from households and work places as waste materials. When these waste products are disposed to the environment, they smell badly, they invite pests and contribute to the spread of diseases. Moreover, the disposal of these waste products contribute to the increase of land fills. (See Appendix 1 for statistics on the increase of landfills in Australia from 2001 to 2007). As new waste products are disposed everyday, land fills become too big to manage and they extend towards residential areas thus exposing the public to various health hazards such as respiratory diseases, birth defects and cancer among many other health hazards (Wilcox, 2007). People affected mostly by this issue include communities living close to land fills. This issue is both a local and national concern that can be addressed at the local and national level. Recycling is one of the effective ways that can be used to address this public health issue. The general public should be trained on how they recycle waste materials. Furthermore, the relevant local authorities should introduce policies that promote recycling .The stakeholders involved when it comes to addressing this environmental health issue include; the local authority, public health officers and the community. Physical Exercises This photo is in the context of behavioural health, it conveys a message on adopting a lifestyle of regular physical exercises so as to enhance overall physical fitness and health. The picture portrays four individuals engaging in different physical activities, two are jogging, whereas the other two are skipping ropes. The photo is situated in sidewalks; its key aim is to encourage the community to adopt a lifestyle of exercising, since exercising plays a significant role in promoting the overall health and wellness of a person. To date, most of the prevalent health conditions that have a high risk of mortality have been linked to physical inactivity. Research studies show that physical exercises can help to prevent or improve life –threatening health conditions such as coronary heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, stroke, obesity and cardiovascular diseases (Brodney, & Blair, 1999). Sadly, in Australia statistics show that, over 9 million Australians between the ages of 18 to 75 years do not engage in adequate physical activities. Consequently, physical inactivity amongst Australian Adults costs the healthcare systems over $1.5 billion dollars each year (Medibank, 2007). (See Appendix 2 for health costs linked to physical activities).Furthermore, in developing countries, obesity is one of the growing health concerns. Physical inactivity coupled with poor eating habits has seen the trends of obesity increase steadily. Despite the fact that the impacts of physical inactivity are felt globally, these impacts are more prevalent in developed countries thus this issue can be classified as national issues. In order to prevent the effects caused by physical inactivity, it is essential to educate the public on the significance of adopting a lifestyle of regular physical exercises. Public health officers and community leaders can play a great role in emphasizing to the community on the need to exercise in order to promote their overall health and well being. Safe use of computers This photo conveys information on the safe use of computers as a measure of promoting occupational health. The context of this photo is therefore embedded on occupational health. It has provided illustrations on the best way of using computers so as to prevent the various health risks associated with the use of computers. Computers are used in most work places and some occupations require employees to use computers for long hours so as to complete their tasks. This photo is situated in the notice board of several learning institutions since the use of computers is prevalent in learning institutions. Computers are vital tools however, using computers over long periods can heighten the risks of developing injuries and health complications. For instance, one may experience eyestrain and pain in the upper limbs, joints and muscles due to the inappropriate use of computers. Nonetheless, these health risks can be prevented or minimised through proper working habits, work space design and improved posture. Studies conducted to establish the health risks associated with the use of computers show that, 60% of people who use computers frequently complain of pains in neck, shoulder and upper back. Furthermore, some have reported the long use of computers to have contributed to headaches problems and eye-sight problems. If such cases are not addressed, studies show that the continuous improper use of computers can contribute to chronic pains and eye-sight problems (Neumann, 1994). In order to counter these health risks, the public should be educated on the proper use of computers. Moreover, employers should provide a conducive work environment that has an appropriate design that will enable employees to sit in the right posture while using computers. In this case, public health officers, employers and employees are the key stakeholders who have the responsibility of ensuring that occupational health is promoted in their various workplaces through the proper use of computers among many other practices (Stellman, 1998). Healthy eating This photo portrays nutritional information on the food guide pyramid with aim of guiding the public on how to eat healthy. Healthy eating is in the context of nutritional health. The photo shows several types of food from five food groups namely, vegetables, grains, fruits, milk, meat and beans. The photo is situated next to shopping malls and grocery stores so as to remind consumers to make purchases that make up a balanced diet. Unhealthy eating has been linked to factors such as obesity and chronic diseases such as cancer. Obesity is one of the main chronic diseases around the world. Globally, the numbers of childhood obesity continue to rise due to the fact that children are being exposed to unhealthy foods that are high in sugars and fats (WHO, 2002). Obesity and overweight in particularly in children continues to be a growing health concern. Studies indicate that children who are obese are likely to continue being obese into adulthood and as a result have an increased risk of developing health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2 (AIHW 2004). Unhealthy eating not only has health impacts but also significant economics costs. For example, it is estimated that in 2008, over 58 billion was lost due to lack of productivity, career costs and health care costs linked to obesity in children and adults. In order to prevent or minimize the health risks and economical cost that come as a result of unhealthy eating campaigns should be conducted to sensitize the public on the needs to eat healthy (WHO, 2002). This is a global concern that should not only be addressed at the national level but also international and local interventions should be initiated. The stakeholders involved in addressing this issues include, the World Health Organization, governmental health agencies, local and national public health structures and the community in general. Breast feeding This photo conveys a message on breast feeding as a measure of promoting maternal and child health. It is thus embedded in the context of promoting maternal and child health. The photo shows a woman feeding a child using her breast milk. This photo is situated next to maternal health centres so as to sensitize pregnant women and new mothers on the importance of breast feeding. Breast milk is the healthiest form of baby’s food since it promotes health and helps in the prevention of diseases. Other benefits associated with breast feeding include; enhanced immune system for the child, higher intelligence, fewer infections and protection from infant deaths. Various studies have linked artificial feeding to diarrhoea and infant deaths. Therefore, experts highly recommend exclusive breast feeding of new born infants for six months (Horton et al, 1996). Today’s culture and lifestyle present tremendous challenges that inhibit a number of women from breast feeding. For example, working mothers may find it difficult to find time to get away from their work duties so as to breast feed. Consequently, the rate of women who breast feed continues to fall. Several studies have established that if infants are breast fed in the first six months of the life, over 1,000 infant deaths would be prevented and billions of dollars would be saved each year. In the United States over 13 billion dollars is incurred in excess and 1000 babies die due to the falling rates of breast feeding mothers. Refusal to breast feed in the first six months of an infant’s life not only affects the child but also the mother (CNNHealth, 2010).Studies show that mothers who do not breast are at risk of gaining weight, getting pregnant quickly and reproductive complications (Horton et al, 1996). This is a global issue that should be addressed through global, national and local interventions. Expectatant and new mothers should be sensitised on the importance of breast feeding. Moreover, the government should introduce policies that provide new mothers who are working, long maternity leaves so as to provide more time for these women to breastfeed their children. The stakeholders involved in addressing this issues include, the WHO, governmental health agencies, local and national public health structures and the community in general. References Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2004). Risk Factor Monitoring, A Rising Epidemic: Obesity in Australian Children and Adolescents, Canberra, Brodney, S. & Blair, S. (1999). Effects of physical inactivity and obesity on morbidity and mortality: current evidence and research issues. Medicine and science in sports and exercise Volume 31, Issue 11, pp. S646-S662 CNNHealth (2010). Study: Lack of breastfeeding costs lives, billions of dollars. Retrieved on August 22, 2011 from Horton, S., Sanghvi, T. & Phillips, M., et al. (1996). “Breastfeeding promotion and priority setting in health". Health Policy Plan 11 (2): 156–68. Medibank Private Limited (2007). The cost of physical inactivity. Retrieved on August 22, 2011 from Neumann, P. (1994). Computer-related risks. New York: Addison-Wesley Professional. Silverman, B. (2008). Recycling: Reducing waste. New York: Heinemann Stellman, J. (1998). Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. Geneva: International Labour office. Wilcox, C. (2007). Recycling. Minnesota: Lerner Publications. World Health Organization (2002). Global strategy on Diet Physical Activity and Health, Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved on August 22, 2011 from Appendix 1: Statistics on the increase of landfills in Australia from 2001 to 2007 From the Department of Climate Change, 2009, “National Inventory Report 2007, Volume 2” Appendix 2: Health cost linked to physical inactivity Key: Costs: $ Million per year From: Medibank Private Limited (2007). The cost of physical inactivity. Retrieved on August 22, 2011 from Read More