The Queen Rules!

CAN THIS BE REAL!?Nutrition Facts at Dairy Queen

We chose to put our “This is Public Health” sticker on a surprisingly large and extensive Nutritional Facts board in a Dairy Queen on Fletcher Ave., here in Temple Terrace (Tampa). Originally, we planned to place the sticker in the bathroom, near the “Please wash your hands sign”, above the sink; however, it was hard to pass up the framed Nutritional Facts poster. Granted, you can’t miss it in this place! We thought it was rare that a less healthy fast food restaurant such as Dairy Queen, would proudly display the nutritional value of their food on the wall. Specifically, at eye-level to the direct left of where a customer would stand to place their order.

Nutrition is an important factor in public heath, especially when the rate of obesity in the United States is at an all-time high and continues to rise. Obesity can lead to major health problems, such as high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, which can eventually lead to other chronic and fatal conditions. This should raise eyebrows, and be considered a major cause for concern, as heart disease and stroke are listed among the top three causes of death in this country.

At Dairy Queen in Temple Terrace, the owners have taken a step in the right direction. By informing consumers of the total fat, sugar, and food calories they are taking into their bodies, this ice cream parlor in Florida wins our vote for ‘assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy’ through education. On a side note, you might notice the hand sanitizer dispenser adjacent to the Nutritional Facts in the pic. This is also very highly regarded in public health, so we thought we’d point it out in case you missed it. Your hands are two of the dirtiest places on your body at any given time, and your fingers are the "top ten carriers” of colds and flu. It is especially important for restaurant employees to keep their clean hands at work, since they are constantly handling YOUR food! Thanks Dairy Queen J THIS is Public Health.

Sincerely Yours,

Brittney, Taylor, Ashanti, and Samantha <3

Public Health

This is the Moffitt Research Clinic; a prime example of

public health in our community. We chose this location to place our “This is Public Health" sticker because Moffitt is well known for their cancer research. This specific location (on Fowler Avenue in Tampa) not only provides testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI), but also gives out free condoms and conducts studies on the spread of human papilloma virus (HPV), which is how Moffitt is related to public health. As we learned in class, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America today. There are no vaccines or cure available for most forms of cancer, but Moffitt is working on HPV research and discovering how HPV contributes to cervical cancer and genital warts. The free condoms that they give out prevent the spread of STIs among the sexually active college community. They also are a form of birth control and prevent unwanted and unintended pregnancies.

This is Bob (his name was changed to protect his identity). He is a marine corps veteran and unfortunately at the current moment unemployed and without a place of residence. Due to his circumstances he is being affected more than a average person

in terms of his health. If you take a closer look at the picture and his right hand, you will be able to see a cigarette. After mentioning our project to Bob, he confessed to us that he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Smoking contributes to public health problems as it not only affects the person smoking it but everybody that inhales in the second hand smoke which is also related to lung diseases such as COPD and lung cancer.

After talking to Bob, we also realized that his skin was very sun damaged. Over exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Research conducted by various public health organizations has shown that prolonged exposure to sun light can cause of skin cancer and smoking remains to be the number one cause of lung cancer. Remember, this isn’t just about your health or my health, it's about our health. This is public health!

In health,

Nikhil, Patrick, and Yevgeniy

Vaccines are PUBLIC HEALTH!

Each year 5-20% of the population get influenza (the "flu")and around 200,000 Americans are hospitalized . A large part of public health is the prevention of infectious diseases within a community. A key way to do this is through the use of vaccines such as the flu shot which has been shown to the prevent the flu for 70-90% of vaccinated individuals. The new 2010-2011 flu shot will prevent 3 strains of the flu, including H1N1. These strains are chosen based on data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the final decision is made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The influenza vaccine is distributed by private vendors such as CVS, Target and Walmart who offer clinics by walk-ins and appointment for a small fee. It is also distributed free of charge at community clinics such as the health department and the University of South Florida Student Health Services. At this particular CVS branch shown in the photo above, the flu shot is $29.99. However if insured, the cost may be much less or even free of charge. Although the flu vaccine is available to everyone, there are certain high risk groups who should always make sure that they get the vaccine (and talk to thier doctor before doing so). These groups include pregnant women, children under the age of five, adults over 50 years of age and those who may be more likely to be exposed to the virus such as health care workers.

There are some minor side effects such as soreness at injection site, low grade fever and muscle aches. These side effects are usually rare and minute considering the effectiveness of the vaccine. So go get your flu shot and stay healthy this season!

Brittany, Chelsea, Aline, Isabelle

Ashtrays can be beautiful!

We decided to place our “This is Public Health” sticker at Sweetbay supermarket near University Mall in Tampa. We chose this location because it is an area where many different people visit, either shopping at Sweetbay itself, or visiting the nearby stores. We placed our sticker on a newly designed public ashtray that has a hollow vase-like shape. We chose this item because many walk by Sweetbay, both smokers and non-smokers. As a result, ashtrays are a public necessity to keep the streets and sidewalks clean.

We believe that this newer-modeled public ashtray represents multiple public health-related issues: promoting cleaner air, taking responsibility for second-hand smoke, demonstrating action again littering, and cutting back on resource use. The truth is, Americans have a right to make their own choices, so we cannot argue with or punish people that choose to smoke. However, when it comes to the matter of public health, we need to find an option that will benefit the population, while avoiding restrictions of individual freedoms. This ashtray does not promote nor inhibit smoking; it simply has a unique design that prevents a person’s cigarette fumes from spreading in the air after it has been tossed in. This innovation lessens second-hand smoke as well as cuts back the amount of pollution in our communiites and waterways. In addition, the ashtray itself gives smokers the easy task of safely and quickly discarding their cigarettes, while at the same time reducing the amount of careless littering which could become a fire hazard. For example, if a cigarette butt was still ignited, tossed aside and wind-blown near bushes, the bushes could catch fire. Even further, this style ashtray also saves resources; little rocks or sand are not needed. Consequently, cleaning becomes more efficient and effortless.

Besides all these benefits, this ashtray is aesthetically appealing, showing us just how beautiful public health can be!

Katie, Jenna, Stephen, Evan

Testing, Testing, Testing....... reult : NEGATIVE

For this project we as a group decided to put our “This is Public Health” sticker on an empty negative pressure room at University Community Hospital in Tampa. Negative pressure rooms in hospitals are very important but they also play a big role in public health. One of the jobs of public health is to protect the community from infectious disease outbreaks. A negative pressure room helps hospitals combat infections and diseases.

Negative pressure rooms help combat the spread of anything that is communicable from the patient to anyone that comes into contact with them. These rooms are used for patients that have tuberculosis (TB) or other conditions that are spread through droplets (airborn). The negative pressure rooms are used for isolation to prevent contamination of the air and to protect the public. The rooms are specially designed to have a lower air pressure than the surrounding area. This prevents the air flowing from the ill patient’s room into the hallway, where family members, nurses, doctors and other hospital staff are. Science tells us that the air pressure will go from high to low so that equilibrium can be reached. However, these rooms don’t allow equilibrium to be reached because they are specially equipped with an air filter system that keeps the pressure constantly low. So the air from the hallway is always flowing into the room but the air from the room is not flowing back out.

It is important for hospitals to have such rooms because they help combat infectious disease outbreaks. These rooms not only help control the infection/illness, but they also protect the hospital employees. Just by changing the air pressure in the room employees and visitors are protected along with their families and communities. Could you imagine what would happen if someone that had TB came into the hospital? Every single person that visited that floor would be putting themselves at risk for getting TB. And could you imagine if a couple of individuals went home sick with TB? Before you know there would be an outbreak and everyone one would be getting sick. By using such rooms the hospital is taking a precautionary and preventive measure in not only protecting the public but its employees as well. That is why negative pressure rooms in hospitals are important to not only the hospitals but to public health as well, because they take preventive measures to protect the public from harmful illnesses.

Abby & Eban

Women, Infants and Children are Public Health

Our group decided to place our “This is Public Health” sticker at a women and children’s clinic called WIC. WIC stands for women ,infants, and children. This organization is funded by the federal government and provides supplemental nutrition programs for pregnant women and their infants and children up to five years old. WIC offices are located in 2,200 locations across the U.S. and their territories. The program assists low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children. WIC serves about 45% of infants born in the US, clearly making the need for nutrition and health care a major public health issue. WIC improves the quality of life in many of the communities it is established in by improving public health for those who need it. Our group believes this is a public health issue because we believe every newborn baby has a right to good nutrition and good health.

Something great that WIC provides are vouchers for grocery stores so women can purchase the food items they need to stay healthy and provide for their babies. When comparing the national average of low income pregnant women and mothers to those who use the services provided by WIC, those who use the service have healthier diets and also healthier children. A lack of nutritions foods can impact ones immune system and can contribute to low birth weight, anemia, and diabetes. If we provide this intervention offered by WIC to help people who need it, we are making a big difference in infants and children’s health in the long run. As we learned in class,

getting the help you need right when you need it leads to less hospitalizations and treatments in the end. That explains why this issue is so important. When mothers and children are cared for in the community, public health measures are very effective.

Elizabeth, Gina, Marvin, Allie

Recycling = Public Health

The advancement of public health is very important to the community as a whole, and also has an effect on individuals as well. The location that we chose to place our "This is Public Health" sticker represents our interpretation of public health. Tampa is home to the Recyclosaurus Rex, which is a community landmark in front of the Museum of Science and Industry. This landmark was chosen because of the benefits of recycling and proper waste management. The structure of the dinosaur itself was made out of recycled material, and in its belly it contains aluminum cans and plastic containers. This is a great way to promote better recycling habits, and remind the public on this importance.

Recycling can improve public health by preventing air pollution. Recycling can reduce the gaseous waste that is projected out in the air by certain industries. Industries that manufacture items made from metal and plastic can release large amounts harmful and toxic gases. This landmark reminds us of the importance of recycling to reduce the harmful pollutants that can be spewed by the manufacturing industries. Improper waste disposal can cause grave dangers and affect the public health of communities. By recylcing, we can decrease the amount of waste that is disposed in the landfills. Too much trash can accumulate in the landfills and affect communities that are in close proximity to the landfill area. The more trash that accumulates as a result of poor recycling habits, can result in a decreased amount of places to dispose of our trash. Recyclosaurus Rex is a great reminder of how we should take recycling more seriously, and attempt to reduce the amount of trash that we produce.

Danielle, Chase, William

Access to Drinking Water is Public Health

Some people may find it difficult to define what exactly is public health, but if you pay close attention to the things surrounding you, you will find that there are innumerable things that the government, school, or community has put to our services in order for us to have healthier lives. While looking for things around the univeristy area that would describe what public health is, our group noticed a water machine that provides the community with fresh drinkable water for only 25 cents per gallon. We chose this water machine in Tampa because water is one of the most important necessities in life. Knowing that we have access to clean water is something that we should appreciate. Aside from providing us with drinkable water, this water machine is also promoting the "green" movement since you can reuse your gallon to refill. Also since it is in a large plaza with neighborhoods close by, some people don't even have to drive to get water which saves gas and doesn't harm the environment. We believe this is a great representation of public health because this water machine is not only available to the PUBLIC, but it is there to provide us with clean water for the betterment of our HEALTH. That's why the water machine IS PUBLIC HEALTH! :)

Asyad, Alexis, Lisa, Myles

Touch-Free Hand Sanitizer...

Complimentary Touch-Free Hand Sanitizer...

After a group discussion, we have decided to place our “This is Public Health” sticker on the touch-free hand sanitizer located at the entrance of The University Mall in Tampa. The sanitizer is inside the main entrance facing Fowler Avenue. We have placed our sticker on top of the board which advertises the complimentary hand sanitizer. We chose this spot because a public hand sanitizer prevents people from spreading germs, especially in a place that is very public. Having the hand sanitizer at the entrance of the mall encourages people to keep their hands clean at the start of their shopping trip. Sanitation prevents the spread of infectious diseases. Ever since the Swine Flu epidemic, people have been more cautious to make sure they wash their hands regularly to avoid getting sick. The availability of the hand sanitizer to the public allows people to avoid spreading germs. The location of the hand sanitizer is perfect because right when you walk in the mall entrance, the first thing you see is the hand sanitizer, and right when you leave the mall, it is the last thing you see. The availability of the hand sanitizer allows people to avoid spreading germs to others and to themselves. While our group was at the mall to test out the sanitizer, we realized the machine was out of sanitizer! For better results and a continuous impact of killing germs, someone should have the responsibility of refilling the sanitizer machine whenever it is needed.

In conclusion, this touch-free hand sanitizer is a representation of public health becasue it lessens the chances of people contracting and spreading infectious diseases.

Sara, Banireta, Huong

Water Fountains are Public Health

For many people on the outside looking in, Public Health may seem trivial, but those people are the ones who take a lot of things for granted around them. Public Health improves the life of everyone around the world through education, healthier lifestyles, and research of new arising diseases. In this “This is Public Health” activity our group decided to choose a water fountain as a bold sign of what Public Health really represents. We located a water fountain in the University Mall in Tampa, Florida and placed our sticker right in the middle of it to draw everyone’s attention to the fact at hand. We chose this location because it is a common spot for large numbers of people to come and go throughout the day. Water fountains are located in many public locations such as parks, malls, schools, and many other miscellaneous places and it is a prime example of the public taking Public Health for granted. What people do not recognize is the importance a water fountain serves; having a water fountain not only supplies them with a clean, convenient, and pocket friendly source of hydration but it also does saves millions of plastic bottles from being used. In turn, this prevents us from overusing the resource and also preventing potential littering from happening. This issue is important because it provides the public with clean water, and helps the population as a whole to “go green” by using less plastic bottles. All of these factors are essential for leading a healthier lifestyle, so next time you take a drink out of that water fountain, remember, This Is Public Health!

Walk This Way...

WALK THIS WAY...

Our sticker was placed at the intersection of Fowler Avenue and 30th Street, a busy intersection many of us pass and use on a daily basis close to the USF campus. Crossing that intersection may appear menacing and the thought of crossing from one side to the other may be daunting. Not to mention out right dangerous. Thanks to the Florida Department of Transportation they have made crossing an intersection safer and more effective by the use of crosswalks. Crosswalks are designed to give pedestrians a designated place to safely cross the street. There are different types of crosswalks; marked crosswalks, overhead crosswalk signs, pedestrian half-signals, pedestrian traffic signals, accessible pedestrian signals and pedestrian countdown signals. The type of crosswalk is determined by the traffic and pedestrian volume. The use of crosswalks makes it safer for pedestrians and drivers thus promoting public safety by reducing accidents and deaths caused by vehicles hitting pedestrians.

Crosswalks also reduce motor-vehicle flow which benefits the pedestrian safety. Crosswalks not only prevent accidents but, it also promotes healthy living. Crosswalks can also be considered Eco-friendly, the more crosswalks available, fewer cars which equals less pollution.

The National Highway traffic safety administration for the US stated in 2007 there were 4,654 people killed on crosswalks and 70,000 injured. A study showed fewer than 4% of cars will yield to pedestrians. There is no doubt without crosswalks those numbers would be much higher. Drivers and pedestrians share the responsibility of crosswalk safety. So drivers put down your cell phones, stop eating and other distractions behind the wheel and pedestrians be alert even though you have the right of way and cross in a designated crosswalk. Think Public! Think Health! Think Safe!