Public Health Community Trends

I contacted Kendra Ho Ching, who is currently working as a unit secretary and clinical assistant in the castle hospital of Oahu, Hawaii.  She is also very familiar with the work of the public office of Hawaii's Department of Health. She informed me about the public health trends on the north shore district of Oahu, Hawaii.

1. In the state of Hawaii, child obesity has become a very big concern recently. It has been revealed that high proportions of kindergarten children are entering elementary overweight and in risk of an unhealthy lifestyle. Obesity among the adolescence is increasing, as their calorie intake is also increasing, but their exercise or active habits are decreasing. Due to this unhealthy lifestyle at such a young age, there has also been an increase if type 1 diabetes. The numbers of type 1diabetes has raised higher than the numbers of type 2 diabetes due to the young ages that are becoming diagnosed. Measures are being taken to solve this unfortunate trend, such as better health education, more physical activity programs, and healthier school environments. 

2. There has been a decrease in hospital inquired infections. These are specifically infections you can get in the hospital, while visiting or staying over night. This was previously a growing concern in the past, but has continued to dissolve among our major health issues. It is observed that the decrease of hospital inquired infections is possible due to the increase of hospital technology and scale technique. This positive trend among the communities has allowed the hospital patients to remain healthy, while the hospital program remains sanitary and organized. 

3. Fortunately, there has been an obvious decrease in the habits of smoking and tobacco use among the people of Oahu, Hawaii. Although the issue has not completely ceased to exist, the numbers have definitely showed up in smaller amounts. This trend could be because of the increase of advertising against smoking and tobacco use. These advertisements have informed and educated thousands of people the negative and harmful effects smoking can have on an individual. It has been taken into account that today people are either not smoking at all or deciding to quit. 

4. There is a clear increase in the numbers of teen and high school pregnancies in Hawaii. Although there have been programs to educate young men and women about the dangers and effects sexual intercourse at a young age can have, it has still remained as a main problem. Due to the high percentage of unprotected sexual intercourse high schools students are becoming involved in, it has also caused other serious health problems. STD's and abortion are other negative effects that have increased within this issue. Today  Hawaii stands as the number one state for the highest use of abortion. 

5. One last trend that has caught the attention of public health officials, is the dramatic and high increase of drug use among teens and high school students. Drugs are somehow becoming easy for young children to access and use. This increase is causing the students to not remain active in school or educated programs that would benefit them. It also causes these young students to steal and commit theft crimes in order to gain the money needed to purchase the drugs. The trend of drug abuse has been slowly increasing for some time now, and has risen to a point of great concern for the future adults of the state of Hawaii. Rehabilitation centers and informative programs are being strongly encouraged. 

Kira Ho Ching 
11/12/12

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