Today is day 4 of National Public Health Week 2012! Our awesome Master of Public Health Student Club (MPHSC) members have a number of activities in the works – see below – to promote health across communities and population. MPHSC members offer information below on today’s theme, reproductive and sexual health.

Why focus on reproductive and sexual health?

• Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. Risks associated with these unintended pregnancies include low birth weight, postpartum depression, and family stress.
• The rate of preterm birth has risen more than 20% in the last 20 years. These preterm infants are more likely to suffer complications such as respiratory distress, infant mortality, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.

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The American Public Health Association and public health professionals around the country are focusing on prevention and wellness during this year’s National Public Health Week.

“Every year, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths. Americans miss 2.5 billion days of work because of these illnesses, and all of that lost productivity adds up to more than $1 trillion. Injuries, unexpected accidents and violence affect people daily in all aspects of life. Unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, poisonings, and burns rank among the top 10 causes of death for people aged 44 and younger” (American Public Health Association).

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It’s well-documented and well-known that the United States spends more on health care than any other developed nation. Many assume these higher costs are caused by Americans’ widespread over-consumption of medical resources. Similarly, many assume the U.S. has a boundless supply of physicians and hospital service capacity.

Both assumptions are far from being accurate, however. In fact, while the U.S. does spend more on health care, as a percentage of its Gross Domestic Product, than any other country, we have the fewest licensed hospital beds among the top seven developed countries, our physician availability is quite low and our numbers of medical school graduates is comparatively modest. How will we accommodate increased demand from newly insured patients?

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If campus seems bare today it’s because our employees and students have been given a unique and exciting opportunity to volunteer. Over 125 people from the DMU community are in downtown Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena taking part in the First Lady, Michelle Obama’s, 2^nd anniversary of her ‘Let’s Move’ initiative.

Let’s Move is a campaign started by Mrs. Obama two years ago to promote healthy living amongst our nation’s kids. It is a program that was made to solve the problem of childhood obesity. The Let’s Move campaign has ‘provided children with healthier food and greater opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities, helped get families the information they need to make healthier decisions, supported a healthy start in early childhood, and have worked to ensure more people have access to healthy, affordable food.’

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This year’s Mini Medical School begins this evening and runs for the five consecutive Tuesdays following. (February 7 – March 6, 2012)

The theme this year is all about becoming the healthiest you possible. You will learn how to do this through the five keys to living a happier, healthier life.

1. The 10 Pillars of Healthy Aging
2. Stress Management Techniques
3. Improve Your Physical Health
4. Enhance Your Emotional Well-Being
5. Establish Good Nutrition Habits

Register online or you can just sign up and purchase your tickets tonight before the talk.

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Truth be told, we’ve actually had a rather mild winter here in Iowa this year, but within the last week it has started to look a little more familiar. With more snow in the forecast and lower temps ahead, some of you may start to feel the effects of the winter blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Here are some ways to keep the dark days of winter from dragging you down:

Let there be light! Getting exposure to sunlight can be a powerful way to boost your mood.

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