MPH - 632 kbscherer

Final Blog I really enjoyed the different online learning tools and modules that we were able to complete on the online weeks. I thought they were really pertinent and timely and I was able to learn at my own pace. I also really liked learning about the local environmental health components that are around me, like my water system and air quality issues. I feel more component about being able to look up the environmental components of products and feel like I have a better grasp of both their deleterious health and environmental implications. As for the blogging component, I felt having 3 separate blogging assignments every week was a lot. Less about the work that it took to do the assignment, but more about reading my classmates assignments. I enjoyed reading the assignments of my classmates because they gleaned different elements from the assignments, but I did find it challenging to write to each of their assignments every week and respond to the comments that they left on my as...

M14.4 Disaster Preparedness I reviewed disaster preparedness information for the city of San Diego. Being a California based city, they would also use the Disaster Healthcare Volunteer site . San Diego also has a lot of community resources to both volunteer and learn how to be more prepared on its cities website . They have inform individuals how to get involved in the InfraGaurd, which is an FBI affiliated non-profit, and volunteers help protect against criminal and terrorist threats. There is also volunteer opportunities for civilians and retirees to be part of a volunteer patrol service associated with the San Diego police department. They also have a crisis center and a youth volunteer service for emergency response. There is also a place for volunteers to sign up for the emergency firefighter organization, to help with emergency situations and response. For public health professionals or medical professionals, they can use the Medical Reserve Corps  to register for potenti...

M12.9 Climate Change 1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change? I think one of the most troubling aspects of climate change is one of its indirect factors on food and food production. The growth and production of food and crops will be negatively impact by the change in temperature and climate of specific areas. Additionally, due to the higher concentrations of CO2 in the soil/fertilization during plant growth, consumed crops will have lower levels of protein and essential minerals making them less nutritious for the general population.  This fact is particularly troubling as many countries already experience food insecurity and the increase in total global population and decrease in food production and food quality will exacerbate this issue.  2.  As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now? I think the aspect of climate change that needs the greatest attention right now on ...

M11.5 Zero Waste Lifestyle I have seen Lauren Singer's blog before and it has always felt like a lifestyle that was so far out of reach. But I really like what she said in her presentation that she is not their to judge anyone for the trash that they produce, but wants to inform people that they can start small and make small behavior changes in our lives that could have a large impact. I definitely have tried to make a conscious choice to try and practice more sustainable purchasing habits, I am still a far ways away from being zero waste. I think the area that I struggle the most in is the food packaging waste like Laura was talking about spurred her lifestyle change. I have been trying to shop thrifty, but in my cost saving ways have moved away from purchasing foods from farmers markets or from bulk locations and instead just go to the grocery outlet down the street from my house. While grocery outlet does sell food from other grocery stores that would have otherwise been ...