Listen and Talk Openly with Our Children

It is my belief we should begin educating our children as early as elementary school regarding abstinence plus. However, it should be taught on a level that is appropriate for elementary school students. As in health care, we may begin with primary preventative sexual education. For if we pretend our children are unaware of sex and sexuality, we may have surprises of our own. This may be achieved by expressing to children their bodies are not to be hurt or violated by any person, whether he or she be young or old, friends or family members. We may begin by teaching them the difference between acceptable touches and inappropriate touch. Children may need to be reminded the difference between keeping secrets that are appropriate and inappropriate. Children should be educated about stranger danger and the proper procedures to protect themselves if such situations occur. Enforcing a buddy system for elementary school children may also assist children safety in the hall ways and other places during elementary school. Encourage children to speak openly with their parents, teachers and friends about issues that may plague their thoughts. This may be achieved by having weekly discussions with elementary students regarding topics of concerns or any topic they may find interesting. The assistance may help at risk children reduce the burden of abuse which takes its toll on children who become adults who have survived abuse.
During the middle school years, maturation classes should be offered to students with parents' permission to ensure children are receiving the most current and accurate information regarding abstinence plus. Health educators may need to develop thick skin regarding sexual activity and abstinence. With more information available to students than every before, gaining their attention and respect with accurate and correct information may reduce the number of at risk children. The material taught needs to be age and gender appropriate. Provide additional counseling in smaller groups to encourage open communication among students. Perhaps dividing the students into groups according to gender may produce positive feedback among students. If students are shy or frightened to communicate with health educators, software companies should create software that may be downloaded at the school's computers so middle school students may view the material in a classroom designated for the abstinence plus class privately; which if viewed privately may reduce embarrassment on such a sensitive topic. Middle school students may then use their students IDs to ask questions privately by typing questions to be answered by counselors and health educators without feeling insecure and receive answers via their student identification numbers.
During the high school years, students should be educated as middle school students; however, more in-dept information should be presented to students regarding gender and orientation along with abstinence plus. Health educators should have the most current and accurate information to present to students with respect to their age. Having an open door policy to students who may need individual counseling regarding abstinence plus may increase communication among students. Preparing students for adulthood is not simply the health educators job but the parents'as well. Getting parents involved with such issues may enhance the communication between high school students and their parents. In the end, we hope and pray the students choose wisely.

Beatrice's Preventative Practices

After reviewing the self assessment on p. 57, in our text book, I am relieved I practice all or most of the preventative practices. Before I began the preventative practices, I took a physical to determine where my health level was leading. Because I never drank alcohol, smoked nor ever tried illicit drugs, I felt confident I was a healthy individual. I breastfed my children and took vitamins daily. Exercise was also implemented in my daily activities; however, I remained fatigued and exhausted. After talking to my primary care provider, regarding my fatigue and exhaustion, she advised me to take an allergy test. Though I believe I may have had cancer because I was doing everything possible to enhance the quality of my life, my primary care thought other wise. To my surprise, she was on to something. As doubtful as I was, I took the test believing my case was completely different. I was convenience a simple allergy test would not determine why I was constantly fatigued and exhausted. As it turned out, we are what we eat. I am allergic to wheat and refined sugar tends to cause headaches which may have explained the irritability. Taking the allergy test improved my outlook tremendously. Removing the wheat and sugar from my diet changed my life. I lost fifteen pounds in four months. The weight around my mid section appeared to disappear. The wrinkles I began to have around my mouth disappeared and most of all, I was able to sleep nine hours nightly. At age 40, I feel healthier and alive more so than in my early twenties.
As I have been married for twenty years, I am bless to say at year twenty, nonviolent methods work best in our home. Though we have our share of disagreements, our home does not tolerate violence. We believe a home is a place to rest and feel comfortable. We somehow manage to respect one another's differences. It is important because we have children watching what we say and do. As a preventative, I cannot tell my children do as I say and not as I do. I believe that is impossible.
I take an annual physical and encourage my older children to do the same. I am a firm believer one is never too young to take care of his or her health. We attempt to eat organic foods often and have the basic proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. That goes without saying we do have our share of treats. We also have a gym membership so as not to have excuses not to work off the treats which includes rock climbing, swimming, basketball, racquetball, aerobics, hiking, bicycling and muscles building.
Am I super woman? Absolutely not. I simply do not enjoy going to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. I decided my life is most important to me. I often practice yoga, meditation and relaxation as part of my preventative practices. I have good days and not so good; however, I will do what ever it takes to reach 100 years of age.

Health Care Rights for All Americans

We are taught at an early age the importance of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; however, at what age are we truly taught the importance of health, preventive health and health care rights and responsibilities?  All Americans should be entitled to quality health care regardless of race, education, existing health conditions or income levels.  The United States Constitution should have included health care rights to all Americans as Amendment 28.  Insurance companies should exist to protect patients from medical malpractice due to incompetent doctors. Hospitals should actually compete with other hospitals for the patients to use of their health care facilities. Doctors should be paid fixed salaries and given fixed bonuses by the government based on skill levels and their active participation within the health care community.  Preventive and natural health should be offered within in all health care facilities within the United States.

Japan is recorded as having the healthiest people on the planet with every citizen having health coverage, no insurance companies are directing their appointments, patients are able to seek medical care specialists of their choosing, the government sets the salaries paid to doctors, and also set the dollar amount doctors are allowed to charge their patients for medical care (Frontline, 2008). Citizens of Japan have the longest life spans and the lowest infant mortality rate due to diet and life style (Frontline, 2008).  The most also amazing part is  Japan spends only half as much on health care as the United States (Frontline, 2008).

If Americans were born to health care rights, the health of our people would greatly improve.   Stress levels would decrease,  life savings would remain intact, and growing old would be an honored privilege.

Frontline (Producer).  (2008, April 15).  Sick Around the World. [Video file].  Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/us/palfreman.html