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
I completely agree that the Moffitt Research Clinic is a prime example of public health. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is still a fairly new infection that we do not know a whole lot about. There is currently no cure, and only just recently did a vaccine for HPV become available to the public. With HPV being extremely common and so easily transmittable, I think it is very important to study and learn about the infection as much as possible. I am currently a participant and finishing the four-year term in the HPV Men's Research study. Not only is it helping with a study, but the study itself is also a great service to the participants. Through the study I am tested every six months for STI's, so i receive assurance that I am still healthy and clean. Furthermore, in promoting public health there is a big basket full of condoms free for the taking which anybody can help themselves to even if you are not participating in the study.
ReplyDeleteThe world would be a different place if there were not institutions such as the Moffitt Cancer Clinic like this one or the Moffitt Cancer Hospital. The cancer research conducted from Moffitt has benefitted nearly every person in the world. From warning labels on consumer products to diagnostic methods for cancer screenings, all have been affected due to studies conducted from places like the Moffitt Research Clinic. The research done at these institutions provides the government with valuable information about the rates of cancer and also HPV, as this clinic conducts research on HPV too. By handing out free condoms, they are helping limit the spread of HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases including those that spread through skin-to-skin contact. These centers should have lots of funding to help their research be more accurate and thorough.
ReplyDeleteBob is an example of why Public Health is needed: to educate the young population before they become elderly about the effects of smoking and why it is harmful. That way, less people will be negatively affected by cigarette smoking and the reports of COPD will hopefully decrease. Nice of you all to include Bob in your project. Good work!
Posted by Deidre Orriola for Stephen Kaywell