Unit 5 Study Guide

Managed Care Plans

Managed care plans are health insurance plans that are generally less flexible than traditional plans but can result in fewer out-of-pocket expenses for patients. They were originally designed to reduce healthcare costs and increase efficiency by restricting the number of doctors and specialists that patients can access. A managed care plan is a network of doctors and specialists who agree to belong to a single organization. As a member of the organization, you choose doctors and services within the network for all your medical needs. The emphasis of managed care plans is on preventive care, or taking measures to stop disease and illness before they start. Several different managed care plans are described in the next few paragraphs. Descriptions will vary depending on the providers and organizations.

Weight Loss Products

Many of these fraudulent products center on weight-loss. With more than 40 percent of Americans overweight, products such as diet patches, weight-loss teas, weight-loss laxatives, "natural" diet supplements, weight-loss chewing gum, fad diets, electrical muscle stimulators, and body wraps sell like hot cakes. Would you believe that products such as weight-loss eyeglasses, weight-loss earrings, and fat and starch blockers exist—and that they claim to help people lose up to 18 pounds in a week? Altogether, the phony health products industry in the United States is worth billions of dollars!

indoor air pollution

Many of us may think that when we are indoors, whether at home, school, or work, we are safe from air pollution. Not true. Air pollution exists indoors as well. Consider a building that is air conditioned or well sealed to prevent air leaks. Pollutants in such a building can build up if there is no proper ventilation and the air is not properly conditioned. These buildings are actually at a high risk for air pollution.

Claim (factor)

Many people buy health products based on the claims the manufacturers make. A person suffering from a particular illness is more likely to buy a product that claims to treat that illness. Such claims are often exaggerated. Select a press release and learn more about an exaggerated claim. Look for products that don't make incredible promises.

Professional reviews

Many people rely on professional reviews to decide which movie to see or which car to buy. It's a good idea to look up professional reviews of health products too, because such reviews are less likely to be biased than advertisements or personal recommendations, and are more likely to be objective.

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Matthew washes his hands dozens of times a day, and each time he soaps them twice. He wants to stop but never feels clean enough. At school, he tries not to touch doorknobs or handrails, worrying that he may contract a serious disease. People who think and act like Matthew have an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. An obsession is a thought that takes over the mind, and it may lead to a compulsive behavior. OCD refers to a pattern of recurring thoughts or behaviors that prevents people from going about their day normally. People with OCD might feel an irresistible urge to do things repeatedly throughout the day.

Categories of mental disorders

Mental disorders can be sorted into eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and others, such as depression, mood disorders, conduct disorders, and schizophrenia. All mental disorders, if not treated in time, can lead to deterioration in physical health. For example, eating disorders can cause serious heart conditions and kidney failure. And anxiety disorders can cause sleeplessness, trouble concentrating, or excessive weight gain or loss. People with severe cases may harm themselves or others.

Mental disorders challenge

Mental disorders such as severe depression, phobias, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are serious challenges to your health and require professional help.

anorexia nervosa

Michelle thinks she is too fat, so to lose weight she eats very little. But she is actually underweight. She is suffering from an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. A person with anorexia nervosa harbors an irrational fear of becoming overweight and tries fad diets, diet pills, and even starving to lose weight. Anorexia nervosa often results in malnutrition. It can lead to acidity, low blood pressure, low bone density, anemia, headaches, tiredness, irritability, and mood swings. Anorexic people have low self-esteem and lack confidence. Ignoring symptoms of anorexia nervosa can be fatal. Anorexic people need help from a health-care professional. If a friend or sibling shows symptoms of anorexia, talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, a school nurse, or a counselor.

impulse control disorders

Mike is addicted to video games. Once he starts playing, he just can't stop, so much so that he forgets to eat, sleep, and meet friends. He is unable to concentrate on his studies and gets aggressive when his parents ask him to stop playing. He is always demanding money from his parents to buy more games. Mike is suffering from Impulse-Control disorder. Impulse-Control disorder is characterized by the inability to resist the impulse to do something or an addiction to some activities. The main symptoms are severe urges to buy things or do things that are not important, which in turn may lead to financial problems, addiction, loss of interest in everyday routine, and seclusion.

mood disorders

Mood disorders are defined by severe mood changes that interfere with a person's everyday life. Depression and bipolar disorder are two common mood disorders. Depression is a prolonged and all-encompassing feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in usual activities. A depressed person may not be able to concentrate or handle everyday decisions and challenges.

Stress

Most of us associate the word stress with a negative feeling, but actually, stress isn't always bad. Stress is the reaction produced by our minds and bodies when we face a challenging situation. For example, we experience stress while running late for a class or minutes before an important sports match.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH is the primary biomedical research facility of the federal government. It provides grants for medical research at institutions all over the country.

Loved ones and suicide

No matter how difficult a situation we are facing, we should understand that suicide is not the solution to any of our problems. Our loved ones will be more than willing to help us if only we accept that help. Talking to a friend or family member can help a person in finding a solution to a problem. A depressed person may find it hard to think clearly and so deduce that suicide is the only solution. However, talking with a close friend or family member will help a victim see the situation in a different light. If we do not wish to talk with a family member, social workers and health care professionals are available. Crisis centers and suicide prevention hotlines work round the clock to help people who are attempting or contemplating suicide.

Fatigue

No matter how we react to the stressor, after a certain point our bodies will become exhausted and won't be able to continue. This stage is fatigue. We generally reach the fatigue stage after very prolonged exposure to a stressor. Fatigue can set in for a number of reasons. Physical fatigue comes from overexertion of the muscles, which often leads to pain. Psychological fatigue sets in due to depression or constant worry and boredom. Pathological fatigue is caused by a prolonged illness or poor nutrition, which weakens our immune system.

Nature vs. Nurture

No one knows how much effect each has, but we do know that we are born with some aspects of our personalities, while some are shaped by the environment we are raised in. These two poles are often referred to as nature (what we're born with) and nurture (how our life experiences affect us).

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution refers to sounds that are loud enough to damage hearing. Common sources of noise pollution are automobiles, aircraft, trains, equipment on construction sites, and loud music.

nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is the body language that you use to convey meaning during interpersonal discussions. It includes your gestures, facial expressions, patterns of behavior, and posture. Suppose that your friend just told you that she qualified for the state diving championships. Naturally, you would be excited and happy for her. You might even think about driving to the competition to see her dive. All these thoughts and emotions would elicit nonverbal responses. You might open your mouth and raise your eyebrows in amazement. You might jump up and raise both arms into the air. You would likely make eye contact so you could both share in the good news as you speak. Nonverbal communication can also be inappropriate. For example, if you receive upsetting news and your body language shows you are joyful, it can confuse and upset the people around you.

Denial

Not acknowledging a problem or life situation. For example, you failed an exam but you act as though nothing is wrong. When people ask, you laugh and say it doesn't bother you.

Take Action!

Now it's time to take your knowledge of pollution and put it to work. Think about how everything in your community affects your health. Then start planning how to make your community safer and healthier. Can you encourage your community to reuse, reduce, and recycle more? Can you get your neighbors to put fewer pesticides on the ground to protect the ground water? Choose a form of action, and make it happen!

Volunteer Your Time

Now that you have the information you need, you can formulate a plan or a strategy for solving those issues. You can take these concerns to your school board. The board may already have a stake in this issue and may need a student representative at its key meetings. If not, other students with similar concerns can join you in taking this issue to a higher authority to try to solve it. You can also volunteer with a community organization that helps resolve public health problems. You can also make an immediate impact on the health of your community by volunteering your time and effort for some small activities. Providing healthy and nutritious food to those who do not have access to it is one way of improving public health. You can also promote the idea of recycling waste to maintain a clean environment. Helping disabled children by coaching them or just playing with them can help improve their physical and mental health.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional formal training and education beyond that of an RN. They are authorized to prescribe medications and make diagnoses similar to a doctor, and are not required to work under a doctor's supervision.

The affordable care act

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in an attempt to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance. The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms, with most changes expected to take place by 2014. Under the new law, a new Patient's Bill of Rights gives patients more rights to make educated choices about their health. Here are some of the main points of the new bill: -Patients can choose the primary care doctors they want from their plan's network. -If patients are under 26, they may be eligible for coverage under a parent's health plan. -Lifetime limits are banned for most new health insurance plans. -Insurance providers can not cancel your benefits if you make an honest mistake on an insurance application. -Annual limits on most of your health benefits will be phased out by 2014. -Patients can seek emergency care at hospitals outside their health plan network. -Some individuals and families might be eligible for preventive-care services at no cost. -Patients can ask insurance providers to reconsider any denied payments for services or treatment. The Affordable Care Act has stirred controversy among government officials. Some members of Congress have fought to repeal the law, which they see as an infringement on the rights of individuals.

negative stress

On the other hand, if we have an unreasonable amount of work to do in a very short time, we may worry about it around the clock. All that worrying might result in sleepless nights. This is an example of negative stress, where the situation hampers our performance.

Positive aspects of community

On the positive side, your community can foster an active lifestyle by providing parks and public gyms. Nearby grocery stores with fresh, nonprocessed foods also foster a healthy community.

money transactions

Once you decide to purchase a health product or service online, you need to know if the website is secure for money transactions. Websites that have URLs starting with https or shttp are secure for shopping. Sites that start with http are not secure and should be avoided when making online purchases. You also need to be sure the site managers will keep your personal information safe and not misuse or share it with anybody else. When you enter into an online transaction, you may need to give or enter invaluable personal and financial details, such as your bank account number, credit card number, and password.

Urbanization

One cause of land pollution is urbanization. To make way for new houses, stores, and other buildings, many trees must be cut down.

Active Listening Skills

One of the most important applications of nonverbal communication is active listening. When you are actively listening to somebody, you are not speaking, but you are sending a message to your counterpart that you are engaged with what is being said

reducing air pollution

One way to reduce air pollution is to drive less. For example, use public transportation or car pool, which means sharing rides with others. Walk or bike to school and work. Here are other ways to reduce air pollution. Ask people not to smoke in public places. Reduce the use of small machines such as mowers, chain saws, and leaf blowers. When possible, replace those machines with manual ones, and you'll get some exercise too! Conserving household energy also helps reduce air pollution: -Turn off lights and other appliances when they're not in use. -Set air conditioners at a higher temperature in the summer. -Wear extra layers of clothing instead of turning up the heat in the winter.

Other Air pollutants

Other air pollutants include harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They come from burning fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas, our primary heating sources—as well as from extracting metals from ore. Both of these pollutants cause serious respiratory illnesses and can worsen an existing heart or lung disease.

Other Mental Disorders

Other mental disorders include mood disorders, conduct disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and impulse-control disorders. The most common among these are mood disorders.

Personality Development and Resilience

Our mental and emotional health is highly intertwined with our personality, emotions, self-esteem, and resilience. A person with a well-developed personality, healthy ways to process and express emotions, high self-esteem, and resilience has good mental and emotional health.

Point of Service Plan (POS)

POS plans combine features of both HMOs and PPOs. POS members pay a monthly or yearly fee. Like HMO members, POS members are required to choose a primary care doctor within the network. This doctor becomes the point of service and makes all referrals, either inside or outside the network. Members can obtain services outside the network, but they should expect to pay more and to handle their own paperwork when filing claims.

Matching Mental and Emotional Health Goals with Strategies for and Sources of Help

Parents or guardians are the first source of help for teenagers facing mental or emotional health issues. Parents, after talking with their teenagers, can evaluate the options available and then seek help together with their child. If parents can't provide this help, look for other trusted adults who can.

passive communication

Passive communicators are people who go with the flow. They either can't or won't express their thoughts and feelings. They have a difficult time defending their beliefs or expressing their emotions. At times, they remain silent when faced with difficult decisions and usually don't want to cause a fuss. Passive communication is an unhealthy means of expression because it can be a product of low self-esteem. In the scenario below, Raina is being a passive communicator with her friend Camille, who has made a careless mistake with Raina's property: Raina: Cam, please don't tell me that you lost my cell phone. Camille: Yeah, I'm really sorry. I don't know what happened to it. I think I left it at the bowling alley last night. It might still be there. Raina: Can you come with me and help me look? Camille: No, I can't. I'm going shopping with my sister right now, and I'm already late. Raina: That's OK. I didn't use the phone much. Maybe it'll turn up.

Passive-Aggresive Communication

Passive-aggressive communicators attempt to get their way without having to openly ask for it. They repress their thoughts and feelings, commonly anger, until those feelings come out in hostile or unhealthy ways. For example, a passive-aggressive communicator might give someone the silent treatment instead of directly facing a sensitive issue or making a decision. They might purposely forget things or procrastinate as a way to manipulate others. On the outside, they seem agreeable, but on the inside they might be feeling resentment and bitterness toward others. In this scenario, Jacob experiences passive-aggression from his father as he drives down the highway: Jacob: Something isn't right here, Dad. I think we missed our exit. Father: Really? Jacob: Yeah, I totally think we missed it. I'm going to have to turn around at the next one so we can backtrack. Father: I know you missed it. I saw the exit about 10 miles ago. Jacob: What? Why didn't you say something? Father: Because you missed it the last time you were driving too. You really need to learn to pay attention to the road signs.

Patient's Bill of Rights

Patients seeking medical advice have certain rights and responsibilities. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no single patient's bill of rights. As healthcare has changed, different kinds of bills have been written. Some pertain to doctor-patient relationships. Still others describe the link between patients and health insurance companies. In March 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry. He asked the commission to develop a Consumer Bill of Rights in healthcare and to recommend ways to enforce the bill. The bill has eight main points. Patients have the right to -receive accurate information that is easy to understand; -a choice of healthcare providers; -access emergency healthcare services when and where the need arises; -fully participate in all decisions related to their healthcare; -respectful care from all members of the healthcare system at all times; -communicate with healthcare providers in confidence; -a fair and efficient process for resolving differences with healthcare providers or medical facilities; -and assume responsibility in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

urgent care centers

Patients who are sick or have experienced minor injuries might visit an urgent care center. These centers are available to patients when their primary care physicians cannot be reached. No appointment is necessary. Patients in an urgent care center need prompt attention, but their condition is not serious or life-threatening. Some refer to urgent care as after-hours care.

pediatrician

Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the maintenance of children's health. They are the first point of contact for kids from the time the kids are born until they reach adulthood.

Peers' influence of health purchases

Peers can be very influential, especially when you are in your teens. We call this the tendency to want to be like everyone else the bandwagon effect. If your whole group is trying the Egyptian army diet to lose weight, you are likely to jump onto the bandwagon too. It gives you a sense of belonging, along with the promise of "melting away" those unwanted pounds. In other cases, peers might directly tell you to buy a product or service because they thought it was great. They can also influence you indirectly, such as when you see them get excited about a product. However, not all products work the same way for all the people. The best person to determine what works best for you is your doctor.

Factors That Influence Health Purchases

Peers, and Advertising and Media

borderline personality disorder

People suffering from borderline personality disorder often experience troubled relationships and have poor self-esteem. They can also be violent with the people they need most. About 10 percent of the population suffers from a personality disorder. People with these illnesses can be treated with counseling; sometimes medication can help, too.

high self esteem

People with high self-esteem can accept themselves for who they are. They have realistic expectations of themselves, so that failing to achieve something does not break them mentally. Their friends also respect and value them because they respect and value themselves. People with high self-esteem tend to take good care of themselves by eating right, exercising, and avoiding risky behaviors. They also tend to set goals for themselves and do not hesitate to ask for help when they need it.

low self-esteem

People with low self-esteem have trouble accepting themselves because they do not like or respect who they are. They tend to criticize themselves and worry about what others think of them. They also try to hide their true self in public by "putting on an act." Fear of failure and looking bad prevents them from trying new things. People with low self-esteem find it tough to succeed because of their negative thoughts. Research shows that teenagers with low self-esteem tend to use drugs, drop out of school, participate in risky sexual behavior, and suffer from eating disorders. They also tend to engage in violent or self-destructive behaviors.

personality disorders

Personality is all about how a person relates to others. Most people get along well with family, friends, and new people, but for someone with a personality disorder, this is tough. Many different types of personality disorders can afflict people.

Physician's Assistant (PA)

Physician's assistants carry out routine clinical procedures as directed by a doctor. They take patients' medical histories, draw blood, and give injections.

pollution

Pollution can affect your physical health. If your community is plagued by carcinogens in the air, you and your neighbors might be more likely to get respiratory diseases, such as asthma, or common colds. Unclean waste water can carry toxins to land, plants, and animals, ultimately getting into the human food chain.

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that may develop after a terrifying event that caused physical or mental harm. People who survive life-threatening trauma such as personal assaults, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, bombings, plane crashes, or military combat are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Sleeplessness, numbness, nightmares, and problems concentrating are some of the symptoms of PTSD, which may arise weeks or months after the trauma. Sometimes a particular situation reminds the sufferer of the trauma, producing anxiety and unleashing these symptoms. Some people with PTSD may also feel guilty because they survived the event when others didn't.

Peace Corps

President John. F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to spread peace and friendship worldwide. The Peace Corps aims to improve people's lives by educating them on topics that they normally wouldn't know about. This organization works in areas such as: -Education and youth outreach: Volunteers introduce youth to innovative teaching methodologies and out-of-the-box thinking. They do so by integrating issues such as health education and environmental awareness into English, science, and other subjects. -Environment: Volunteers not only plant trees in communities but also teach people about various environmental issues. -Health: Health volunteers educate people and increase awareness on issues such as malnutrition and safe drinking water. -HIV/AIDS: Volunteers provide hope and meaningful assistance to people affected by HIV/AIDS.

primary emotions

Primary emotions are the basic emotions we're born with. People in all cultures experience primary emotions in similar ways. Some examples of primary emotions are happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.

Effects of Stress on the Body and Mind

Prolonged stress can affect us physically and mentally, so it is essential that we recognize it early on. Some of the warning signs of stress are headache, increased heart rate, perspiration, sleeplessness, overeating, inability to concentrate, impatience, and nervous or irritable behavior.

psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They can conduct physical examinations, order or interpret laboratory tests, and prescribe psychiatric medications.

psychologist

Psychologists are experts in psychology. They study behavior and emotions and often practice psychotherapy with individuals or groups. Unlike psychiatrists, they are nonmedical professionals, although they may advise someone to seek medication.

Health Promotion Versus Health Protection

Public health is maintained by monitoring the health of a community and taking the necessary steps to improve or maintain the prevailing conditions. These steps can be classified as health promotion or health protection.

Public health vs clinical medicine

Public health is often confused with clinical medicine, but they are two different things. While public health concentrates on the well-being of the entire population, clinical medicine focuses on the health of a single individual. In addition, the aim of public health is to prevent the occurrence of an illness or a disease, while clinical medicine helps to cure a person who is already affected by illness.

Public Health

Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities. Former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop said, "Health care is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us all of the time." The main mission of public health is to maintain conditions in which people can be healthy.

Radon

Radon, a radioactive gas present in soil and rocks, is a major source of indoor pollution and can cause lung cancer. It enters a house through its foundation. Studies show that radon contributes to 5,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year.

reactive depression

Reactive depression is a milder form of depression that usually follows a traumatic event. It lasts longer than the average feeling of sadness but usually goes away when the person learns to deal with the event that caused it.

guilt

Realizing that you have done something wrong can make you feel guilt. It can be a helpful emotion as it can stop you from doing something you know is wrong, or it can make you correct something that you have done.

recycling

Recycling reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills and allows goods to be reused. Recycling also helps preserve energy and raw materials that would otherwise be used to create new products. Recycling helps keep harmful materials from reaching landfills too.

Registered nurses

Registered nurses (RN) are licensed healthcare professionals. They provide direct care through observation, assessment, and counseling. RNs are graduates of a nursing program and work under the supervision of a doctor.

relaxing

Relaxing is another way to reduce stress. We can take some deep breaths. Thinking of something pleasant and happy will also take our minds off the stressor. Laughing helps too because it lowers our blood pressure, which helps us feel relaxed.

Mental Health Professionals

-A counselor provides help for personal and educational issues. -A school psychologist is a professional who specializes in the assessment of learning and the emotional and behavioral problems of school children. -A psychologist is a professional who diagnoses and treats emotional and behavioral disorders but cannot prescribe medicine. -A psychiatric social worker is a professional who provides guidance and treatment for people with emotional or behavioral disorders and usually works in mental hospitals, mental health clinics, or hospitals. -A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental disorders. A psychiatrist can prescribe medicine. -A neurologist is a physician who specializes in organic disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Different types of conflict

-A misunderstanding occurs when two people have different facts. Each person makes assumptions based on the facts they have. -A power struggle is a disagreement about who is in control. -Jealousy is resenting a person for having something that you desire. -Lack of collaboration is not working together for a common cause. People who do not collaborate do not have a shared vision or goal. -Unfairness is when one person has what another does not. A situation that is perceived as being unfair can lead to anger, frustration, and jealousy. -Battles over things you own and space can cause conflict. When your personal space is invaded, your body can perceive the invasion as aggression.

Strategies for maintaining mental and emotional health

-Avoid and reduce excess stress in your life. -Avoid, recognize, and respond to depression. -Recognize other mental and emotional disorders and seek treatment. -Increase your resilience. -Respond to emotional experiences in a healthy way.

Strategies to increase resilience

-Avoid or reduce high levels of stress with good self-care. -Eat well, exercise regularly, and maintain good sleeping habits. -Spend time at enjoyable activities to reduce stress. -Strengthen your relationships with family and friends. -Help other people, such as by volunteering for community events and activities. -Commit yourself to learning and engage yourself actively in your education; for example, read and learn about new cultures and peoples.

Reducing Stress

-Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep reduces our ability to concentrate, which in turn affects our daily activities. -Exercise regularly. Stress builds up nervous energy in our body. Activities like jogging and even housework release this pent-up energy. -Maintain a balanced diet. Poor eating habits cause fatigue, reduced concentration, weakness, and health problems, all of which lead to stress. -Learn to say "no" to a potential stressor. If you have a busy day ahead and a friend wants help with her math homework, it's okay to say no. You need to look after yourself and avoid the stress of doing too much in too little time.

Suggestions that can help raise self esteem

-Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. -Set realistic goals for yourself. -Do not judge yourself harshly. -Rely on your values and do not follow the crowd. -Learn to accept compliments. -Be nice to other people. -Do not worry too much about appearance, aside from good grooming.

Ideas to become a more active listener

-Make eye contact with the speaker to show that you are interested in what he or she is saying. -Nod your head if you agree with what the speaker is saying. But don't overdo it. Nod only as a way to show that you understand or accept the speaker's ideas. -Lean toward the speaker to show that you are engaged. Leaning away from a speaker can send the signal that you disagree or wish to exit. -Recognize when a pause takes place in the exchange, and use it as an opportunity to ask questions or to summarize what the speaker has said. -Stay on task. Do not make the story your own by changing the topic. Encourage the speaker to continue. -Try to empathize with the speaker. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another human being. If you put yourself in the other's shoes, you will be able to see the speaker's point of view and give it proper attention.

Strategies to understand emotions

-Name the emotion. For example, ask yourself, is it fear or guilt? Anger or shame? Remember that some emotions can mask others. For example, what you think is anger may just be a way to hide other deep-seated emotions such as fear or guilt. -Identify the source of the emotion. What caused you to experience such an emotion? -Identify patterns from the past. Have you felt the same way before? If yes, what was the source of the emotion then?

Reliability

Reliability is an important factor. People may consider a health product reliable because they are familiar with its brand name and track record or because of the reliability of the shop where it's available.

Triggers of depression

-Studies show that depression can be genetic, and that people with a family history of depression are more prone to it. -A traumatic incident, such as death or separation, a move to a new place, or an accident, may precede depression. -An overwhelming life situation or work pressures can depress people. -People who suffer from low self-esteem or who have a negative outlook on life are more susceptible to depression. -People suffering from critical medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or disability often experience depression. -Mental disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, or eating disorders are also linked to depression.

Tips for secure online shopping

-Use a credit card or a debit card for online shopping. Not only can you easily review your transaction on your card company's electronic or paper statement, but it will be protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act, which gives you the right to dispute unauthorized charges. -Always shop at reliable websites. It's better to shop at a reliable online store than an unknown one, even if the latter is quoting much lower prices. If a website has a poor layout or incomplete information, think twice about shopping there. -Always read the return policies and find complete contact information for the company on its website. -Print out the confirmation record for your online purchases as well as any other information an online store gives you for future reference, such as a reference number or a tracking number for shipments. -Be aware of your rights and register a complaint in case of identity theft or Internet fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles consumer complaints and distributes valuable and up-to-date information on consumer protection.

Conversations that often happen

-You meet with your supervisor to ask her for a raise. -You are shopping for a new car at a dealership. As you shop, you discuss the features of the car and the terms of sale with the lead salesperson. -Your friend borrows your cell phone over the weekend. On Sunday night, she stops by your house to tell you that she lost the phone. -You learn that your friend has qualified for the state diving championships. You are thrilled and want to do something nice for her.

Healthy ways to deal with overwhelming emotion

-facing the situation directly and if possible taking action to improve it -exercising or cleaning your room or being active in some other way to release your emotional energy -relaxing by listening to music, meditating, reading a book, taking a walk, or writing in your diary

Categories of personality

-how extroverted or introverted you are (how socially outgoing you are) -how agreeable or disagreeable you are toward others, based on your trust level -how conscientious you are—how self-disciplined and responsible you are with decisions and completing tasks -how emotionally stable you are -how open you are to new experiences

Signs that you need professional help

-inability to sleep properly for many days -feeling hopeless and helpless most of the time -lack of concentration that interferes with ability to function properly -substance abuse to cope with difficult emotions -thoughts of death or suicide

Indicates good mental and emotional health

-is able to laugh -is able to adapt to changesis -self-confident -has good, strong relationships with othersis able to handle stressors -has good self-esteem -is able to overcome setbacks, disappointments, losses -is able to solve new problems in life -is able to balance work or studies with fun -has a sense of purpose in life

Doesn't necessarily indicate good mental and emotional health

-is always happy -is never sad -sets a goal and never wavers from fulfilling it -has more friends than anyone else -feels superior to others -is always the most successful at work or school -is a star athlete -is everybody's favorite -is always well-dressed

Some of the other activities undertaken by the local organizations to improve public health are...

-treating the water before it reaches your house -properly managing waste -providing free vaccinations against several infectious diseases -building drug rehabilitation centers for addicts -banning smoking in restaurants -curbing noise pollution -building recreation centers and parks for people -educating people on various aspects of health -providing public transportation to reduce air and noise pollution -providing carpooling services to reduce air pollution

Unhealthy ways to deal with overwhelming emotion

-using alcohol or other drugs -withdrawing from friends and family

How to Negotiate

1. Allow time for the situation to de-escalate. Be sure you are both calm. Find a soothing place where you can meet. 2. Allow both parties to describe their sides of the issue. If the problem is not clear, you might have to check your facts or exchange questions with one another. 3. Talk about your feelings with the other person. As you discuss things, keep an open mind and make requests, not demands. You want to involve the other person, not control them. 4. Brainstorm potential solutions to the argument. As you brainstorm, resist the urge to judge the solutions until they are all on the table. 5. Select the best solution that you both can agree upon. This might require compromises on both sides. 6. If problems arise during any point in the negotiations, agree to reconvene at a later date. Taking a break allows people to collect their thoughts and keep negative emotions in check.

Rationality and goals

Remember to keep your goals realistic so you can achieve them. Failing to reach unreasonably tough goals can affect your self-confidence. Achieving realistic goals boosts your self-confidence and leads you to set more achievable goals. For example, a person hoping to defeat low self-esteem by becoming popular in a short period of time is setting an unrealistic goal. A person aiming to gradually stop worrying too much about his or her appearance has a realistic approach to boosting self-esteem.

Decibel Values For Some Common Sounds

30 db whisper 40 db buzz of mosquito 65 db normal conversation 70 db vacuum cleaner 100 db subway or power mower 120 db rock concert 130 db jackhammer

Clinic

A clinic is a place where physicians and medical staff perform outpatient services. A visit to a clinic might involve tests or minor surgical procedures such as tonsil removal. These services are too involved for a doctor's office visit but not serious enough for an overnight hospital stay. Some patients also go to clinics to receive primary care from their family physician or pediatrician.

Public Health Organizations

A few public health professionals acting alone cannot achieve public health. As public health is all about the population at large, the general public must play its part by supporting and cooperating with public health officials' efforts to maintain healthy society. Let's look at few things public health organizations do to improve public health: -Carefully and properly manage and dispose of wastes to keep our environment clean and prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by germs in industrial and domestic wastes. -Thoroughly check all food products before they are sold in the market. This has reduced the number of nutritional deficiency diseases such as rickets, goiter, and pellagra. -Fluoridate water to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoridation began in 1945 and is a very convenient and inexpensive form of dental care. Studies show a 40 to 70 percent reduction in tooth decay in children and a 40 to 60 percent reduction in tooth decay in adults since fluoridation began. -Vaccinate the population against various diseases. This has drastically reduced the number of people affected by certain infections such as measles, hepatitis A, and polio.

general practice

A general practice, or a doctor's office, is operated by a physician who is commonly self-employed. The doctor sees people on an outpatient basis and is usually associated with a nearby hospital for referrals or inpatient services, if needed. Some general practices are called family practices if the doctor has met certain educational requirements.

Group practice

A group practice is the same as a general practice, but there are two or more doctors who share a common office space. The doctors also share resources such as equipment, supplies, and personnel.

healthcare system

A healthcare system is a network of people, agencies, and resources that deliver medical care to patients. Whenever you visit a doctor or seek medical treatment, you are a consumer in the system. As a healthcare consumer, it's important to know how to navigate the system. With this knowledge, you will make better decisions about your health, which can lead to lower costs and improved treatment for you over time.

Summary of healthcare services

A healthcare system is made up of people, agencies, and resources that provide medical care. When you purchase services within the system, you become a healthcare consumer. Healthcare professionals can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary care providers, depending on their level of specialization and the nature of their intervention in helping patients. The severity and urgency of a person's medical needs often determines the kind of healthcare facility the patient needs to access. Paying for healthcare expenses out of your own pocket is often difficult. Private insurance companies, employers, and the government offer a variety of health insurance plans to cover medical expenses partly or entirely. In a managed care plan, patients can access a network of doctors and specialists in return for a monthly or annual fee. When choosing a primary care provider, select a doctor who is courteous and involves you in making decisions. Communicate openly and honestly with your doctor, providing accurate information about your health history and present conditions. Team with your doctor to make responsible decisions regarding your health. As a healthcare consumer, you have certain rights and responsibilites.

hospital

A hospital is a place for treating serious medical conditions. Hospitals usually operate 24 hours a day and offer inpatient services for recovery from accidents, illness, or major surgery. Many hospitals have emergency departments to handle serious situations and trauma.

factors in resilience

A lot of the same things that lead to high self-esteem also increase resilience. Factors that foster resilience include family, school or other community, and peers. Individuals who have been taught to take responsibility for their own situations without placing blame on others or expecting other people to cushion all their blows - will be more resilient than coddled children. Participation in school projects and community events makes a person more confident and resilient. Healthy peer relationships also contribute to developing a high level of resilience. Internal factors also affect resilience, including a positive sense of self, sense of purpose, strong social skills, and the ability to live according to one's values.

psychiatrist

A medical doctor who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders

mental disorder

A mental illness or disorder is a disease or condition that affects the brain and influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, or relates to people or surroundings. Let's learn more about mental and emotional health issues.

resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from tough life circumstances. It is the ability to adapt to and recover from setbacks, disappointments, crises, sad events, and high stress. A resilient person can live in healthy ways despite negative circumstances and events.

Conscientiousness

A person may be very conscientious and not terribly comfortable with other people—that is, mildly introverted. That person would then be on the far end of the conscientiousness continuum but somewhere in the middle on the extroverted/introverted continuum. Highly conscientious people are responsible and dependable, make good decisions, and are organized in how they approach work or study tasks. On the other end of the continuum are people who are often careless and easily distracted and make decisions without giving them much thought.

environment

A person's environment includes family, friends, and culture. Children learn about feelings, attitudes, and appropriate ways to behave from the family.

neurologist

A physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the nervous system.

Primary Care

A primary care provider is your first point of contact when receiving medical care. This person can be your family physician, school nurse, or dentist. They provide general and preventive care to keep you healthy. Physicians, or doctors, take care of your basic medical needs. They diagnose health problems, write prescriptions, and make referrals. When a doctor provides a diagnosis, you are getting a professional opinion about what is happening to you. A prescription is an authorization that allows you to obtain medicine or treatment. Referrals are necessary when the primary care doctor must send you to a doctor with more expertise on a certain medical issue.

Depression

A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness. It is the most common of the mental illnesses and needs timely intervention and professional attention. Depression in teens can lead to drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide attempts, and disruptive behavior. Let's learn some more about depression.

About Mental Disorders

A woman is tormented by the notion that she may injure her children due to her carelessness. She cannot leave home until she has checked and rechecked the gas and water faucets to make sure they are turned off. A man is so anxious about germs that he washes his hands every time he touches anything handled by others. Both these people are showing symptoms of a mental disorder. Every year, about 20 percent of the U.S. population is affected by some form of mental disorder and only one third of this population receives the help it needs. The main reason for this is the lack of awareness about mental disorders. Misconceptions and stereotypes may prevent some people from seeing mental disorders as medical conditions. Either people do not realize that they need help, or when they do, they may not seek help. Some people are reluctant to seek treatment because they feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

AHRQ promotes improvements in the field of medicine, organizes and finances health care, and provides access to quality health care treatments.

convenient care clinic

Retail health clinics, or convenient care clinics, are located in stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. They are intended to be low-cost, quick alternatives for routine medical care. They are usually staffed with nurse practitioners or physician's assistants who treat minor illnesses. When more complex issues arise, the patients receive referrals. Convenient care clinics are not the same as traditional outpatient clinics.

Phobias and Panic Attacks

Ron is afraid of spiders. He won't stay in a room if he spots one on the wall. When he sees a spider, he trembles with fear, sweats, and feels extremely nervous. Such excessive fear of seemingly normal situations is called a phobia. Ron is suffering from arachnophobia, or fear of spiders. Common phobias are claustrophobia, a fear of closed spaces, and acrophobia, a fear of heights. Symptoms of panic attacks are like those of phobias, but panic attacks arise from unexplained fears. They may happen at any time or in any place but often are triggered by a particular condition or situation. People who have panic attacks worry about having another. Both phobias and panic attacks are caused by some unpleasant event in childhood. The fear resulting from these experiences lasts for a long time and affects a person's ability to do things.

conduct disorder

Ryan has a curfew. But he defies it often and stays out late. At school, he breaks every rule. He is aggressive and bullies others. Such extreme behavior, which violates the rights of others as well as basic social rules, are symptoms of conduct disorder. This condition is more common among males than females and is more common in children and adolescents than adults. Conduct disorder shows up in social behaviors such as lying, theft, violence, aggression, and vandalism. People suffering from this disorder experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. They may have problems relating to others or holding onto a job.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA supports programs that prevent and treat substance abuse and mental illness.

sadness

Sadness is an emotion you feel when you go through difficult events in life. For example, you get a poor grade in school, you experience a loss, or you have family problems. When sad, you want to cry, eat more or less than normal, or feel tired. Sometimes you want to withdraw from friends and family.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is an extremely complex mental disorder in which a person loses contact with reality. This disorder affects 1 percent of the American population. Schizophrenics have trouble telling the difference between real and imaginary events, which leads to unpredictable behavior and bad health habits. Schizophrenia's main causes may be a combination of genetic factors and structural and chemical changes in the brain. Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech. A common misconception about people with this disorder is that they are violent or have multiple personalities. Not true: most schizophrenic people are not a threat to others. They can be treated with professional help.

Self esteem through the years

Self-esteem also changes with age. Young children given support and encouragement from family tend to have higher self-esteem. As they enter school and start interacting with other children, their levels of self-esteem begin to decline. This decline is largely because they begin to compare themselves with other children. Adolescents tend to be critical of all the aspects of their lives, such as their appearance, abilities, interests, and weaknesses. As a result, adolescents generally have low self-esteem. In early adulthood, people generally have high self-esteem as they begin to accomplish their goals and take control of their lives. Older adults —senior citizens—again tend to have low self-esteem, probably because of health problems and the limited roles for older adults in our society.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem indicates how much you respect and like yourself. Self-esteem can range from low to high. Research shows that high self-esteem has a positive effect on overall health and low self-esteem has a negative effect.

shame

Shame is different from guilt because, in shame, a person focuses on the self rather than the action. Feeling guilty can make you think, "I did a bad thing." Feeling ashamed can make you think, "I am a bad person."

Stressors

Situations that cause stress in our lives are known as stressors. Let's take a look at some common stressors.

smog

Smog, a hazy mist, is also a result of air pollutants. It appears when a layer of air is trapped near the ground. Ground-level ozone is the main component of smog.

social worker

Social workers often work with family members involved in psychiatric treatment, and many work as psychological counselors with individuals or groups.

Defense mechanisms of emotion

Some common defense mechanisms include -denial -compensation -rationalization -Reaction formation -Projection -Regression

Resolving Conflict through Negotiation

Some conflicts can escalate, creating a dangerous situation. In such cases, it is best to move away from the conflict, speak to an adult, or call an authority. Do not compromise your values or your safety when situations spin out of control. Fighting, physical violence, and verbal assaults are never the right answer. Smaller conflicts can be resolved through negotiation. Negotiation is the process by which you try to reach an agreement. Most forms of negotiation involve some form of compromise. To compromise means to resolve a dispute by relaxing some of your requirements. You might not get everything you had hoped for, but you'll surely get something and so will your counterpart.

Causes of mental disorders

Some mental disorders are genetic. Some are due to brain damage later in life. They could be a result of disturbing past events, stress, sexual abuse, a failed relationship, or a sudden trauma. Even news of disasters such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or a neighborhood crime may trigger enough distress to cause mental disorders in some people.

Nonverbal signs of suicidal thoughts

Some nonverbal warning signs include constant boredom and indifference, an unusual obsession with death, aloofness, and avoidance of friends. Other nonverbal clues might be a drastic change in behavior and personality, dropping grades, and rebellious and violent behavior.

antisocial disorder

Someone suffering from antisocial personality disorder would be isolated, emotionally unstable, selfish, and demanding.

Decibels

Sound is measured in decibels. When you chat with a friend, you are subjected to about 65 decibels of sound. However, if your friend suddenly starts talking with an intensity of 75 decibels, it may sound as if she were speaking twice as loud. At 85 decibels, you can experience temporary loss of hearing. If you continue to be exposed to 85 or more decibels, you can sustain some permanent hearing loss. Besides hearing loss, noise pollution can cause heart disease, lack of sleep, increase in blood pressure, as well as stress, with its physical and mental health consequences.

self-talk

Start paying attention to what you tell yourself when you've had a distressing event or social interaction. Highly negative self-talk such as "I never do anything right" or "I'm worthless" comes from an irrational view of yourself. You can start questioning these statements, countering them with evidence that you do indeed do a lot of things well and remembering ways that you do have value.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

ATSDR investigates and assesses health risks from the use of or exposure to hazardous materials.

Revise self talk

Again, using coping strategies such as talking with others or writing your thoughts, as well as talking with a professional counselor, can help you revise your self-talk.

aggressive communication

Aggressive communicators try to get their way through intimidation. They are pushy and overbearing. They often verbally attack their counterparts during disagreements. They might use pressure tactics to get their way. Aggression represents a hostile form of communication. In this scenario, a car salesman is being an aggressive communicator with a customer named Stanley: Salesman: You're going to love this car, Stan. It's got everything you need. In fact, I had a customer in just yesterday looking at this baby. Stanley: Yeah? But you must have more cars like it out back, right? Salesman: No, I sure don't. This is the last one. I'm telling you, Stan, if you don't buy it today, there are no guarantees that it will still be here tomorrow. What are you waiting for? If you miss out on this deal, you have nobody to blame but yourself!

air pollution

Air pollution refers to harmful substances in the air, which generally take the form of dust, smoke, vapor, fumes, and particles. Constant inhalation of polluted air can cause respiratory diseases. If the pollutants enter your bloodstream, they can also affect other parts of your body. With ever more cars on the road, fuel combustion is a major source of air pollution. It releases carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, prevents the body from receiving oxygen and also affects the central nervous system. Cigarette smoke also contains this poisonous gas. Particulate matter causes several respiratory diseases, including bronchitis and asthma. It interrupts the smooth functioning of the lungs.

alarm

Alarm is the first stage of stress response. When we encounter a stressor, we go on high alert because our bodies release a hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline prepares the body to either fight the stressor or flee from it. This stage is also known as the "fight or flight" stage. In the alarm stage, we experience an increased heart rate, tightening muscles, increased perspiration, and dilated pupils. For example, imagine you poured too much soap into the washing machine. When you come back to check on the clothes, you find the entire basement floor flooded with soapy water. Your body instantly reacts to this sight. Your pupils dilate and your heart beats faster, and then you plan your course of action.

Alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs

Alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs do not reduce stress. These substances actually increase stress by making our bodies more vulnerable to diseases.

Reminding yourself of others' actions

Also, reminding yourself of others' actions can put your self-talk messages into perspective. When you've made a public, embarrassing mistake, you might feel that it can't be overcome. But reminding yourself that other people, including those who are highly successful, have made similar mistakes can take the sting out of such feelings. When you have some distance from the event, think about ways to avoid or better react to similar mistakes in the future.

Ways to increase self esteem

Although self-esteem is the product of some factors outside of your control, there are ways to raise your self-esteem. For example, try not to judge yourself harshly. Instead of criticizing yourself, focus on the positive aspects of your life and personality. Recognize even your smallest achievements, your talents, and things you have done for your family and community.

Extroversion/Introversion

An extrovert is a person who is very comfortable with other people and is generally outgoing, talkative, and sociable. On the other extreme is an introvert, who is shy, quiet, and reserved. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as introvert and 5 as extrovert, how would you rank yourself?

outpatient

An outpatient is a person who receives services but is not admitted to the hospital. Outpatients are allowed to return home the same day.

anger

Anger is an emotion you feel when you are physically or psychologically hurt or feel frustrated and helpless. It can range from mild dislike to intense rage or hostility. An angry person also experiences physical changes such as tense muscles, racing heart, and rapid breathing. Anger can be positive or negative. Positive anger helps by driving you to change things. For example, Ian's parents compare him to his much neater brother. Instead of just staying angry, Ian decides to pick up some of his brother's habits and develops greater self-discipline. Negative anger is destructive. For example, instead of changing his habits, Ian feels worse and worse and becomes even messier.

Daily waste

Another cause of land pollution is the daily waste we humans create. Some of this waste is biodegradable. But some isn't, and of that, some is even hazardous. Let's look at how these types of waste affect our environment.

Asbestos

Another source of indoor air pollution is asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used in buildings for fireproofing and other purposes. Asbestos flakes off easily and when inhaled, it can damage the lungs, causing lung cancer.

Performing well at important events

Another stress inducer is having to perform well at an important event. Rehearsing the event in our minds over and over until we attain perfection reduces the stress and gives us the confidence and focus required to perform well.

Building resilience

Another way to reduce stress is to build our resilience. Resilience is the ability to overcome a situation or to adjust to it. We can increase resilience by building better relationships with our friends and family, taking good care of ourselves, not being overly critical and overly demanding of ourselves, and becoming involved in social activities.

assertive communication

Assertive communicators are open and honest. They are clear and direct when trying to get their point across. Unlike aggressive communicators, they respect the rights of all parties involved in a discussion. Assertive communicators stay focused on issues, not people, and they do not blame. They persuade people in a respectful way and create win-win situations for everyone involved. Assertive communication is the most desirable form of communication. Use assertive communication when speaking with others, and expect the same from them. In this scenario, Paula is an assertive communicator who is asking an employee named Curtis to make improvements to his work habits: Paula: Curt, I reviewed your time card from last week. The card shows that you arrived late to work on two different days. Can you tell me why? Curtis: Sorry, I overslept. My son was sick and having trouble sleeping. We were both up very late. Paula: I see. It's unfortunate that your son was sick. I hope he's feeling better. I need to remind you that it's our busiest time of year. If you're ever in this position again, please call me. I can allow you to work from home until you're able to make it in to the office.

International Level

At the international level, public health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Peace Corps, and the Red Cross work on public health issues in various countries around the world. These organizations focus mainly on helping underdeveloped and developing countries that have poor public health. They monitor and assess the public health in these countries and create policies to help these countries improve their public health. For example, WHO has created global air-quality guidelines to keep air pollution in check. These guidelines, when followed, will help countries reduce air pollution and in turn, the number of diseases due to it. WHO measures the prevailing air conditions of each country and compares it with the quality of clean air. It then proposes the healthy air conditions for each of these countries and ways in which they can achieve it.

Safety (factor)

Because health products directly affect your health, you should know how safe they are. Whether it's a medicinal product or sports equipment, make sure you read all the safety-related information and instructions before you make your purchase.

Challenges to Mental and Emotional Health

Becoming mentally and emotionally healthier involves recognizing challenges to your mental and emotional health. If you are aware of which obstacles, or challenges, you're likely to face, you can set effective goals and develop effective strategies for your mental and emotional well-being. Challenges to your mental and emotional well-being could range from low self-esteem and stress to depression and serious mental disorders such as phobias, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

bedside manner

Bedside manner is the way that doctors interact and communicate with their patients. Find a doctor with a good bedside manner. The doctor should be courteous and empathetic, help you feel at ease, and involve you in decision making. Find a doctor who gives you time and attention even amidst a busy schedule. A doctor should thoroughly explain procedures and give thoughtful answers to your questions. You should leave each appointment with a clear understanding of what occurred and what action items you and your doctor need to take next.

Be Informed

Before you can decide upon any action or actually do something to improve public health, you need to be aware of the current health conditions of your community. What are some of the health concerns people are talking about? Which is the most serious? You need to ask and answer these questions before taking action. Here are a few ways of getting the information you need: -Attend meetings of your city council, health board, and school board. These meetings will inform you about some of the health concerns of your community. -Read the local newspaper to gain information about the current situation. -Talk to community leaders and other people in the community about the problems they are facing. -You can also tune in to local radio shows where they often discuss problems affecting the community.

Openess

Being open to new experiences means being curious, imaginative, and creative. Such people develop a wide range of interests. In contrast, people who are less open to new experiences have narrow interests and are more likely to do what everyone else is doing. This trait might be a sign of lack of self-trust.

Hazardous waste

Biodegradable waste, when in small enough quantities, is broken down by micro-organisms to form raw material, so it doesn't cause pollution. However, hazardous and other nonbiodegradable waste poses a threat to land, plants, animals, and humans. Hazardous waste is any waste that is inflammable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic. It includes motor oil, pesticides, paint thinners, batteries, and solvents used in construction, vehicles, or household tasks. Hazardous wastes can cause cancer, birth defects, and developmental problems. The waste from our homes and other places is usually dumped in a permanent storage area called a landfill. These landfills are getting full, and we're running out of space for new ones. Also, some landfills contain hazardous wastes. If they leak into water supplies, they can harm nearby plants, animals, and humans.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback also helps reduce stress. With this method, a health professional measures tension in our muscles in response to certain stressors. We learn how our bodies respond to these stressors and then develop a thought process that helps to reduce stress. After a while, we learn to recognize the tension in our muscles without the equipment and can reduce stress by altering our thoughts.

biological stressors

Biological stressors such as physical illnesses or disabilities can make us feel helpless and increase stress. Unhealthy personal habits, including drinking, smoking, drug abuse, and lack of physical exercise, produce negative physical reactions that can lead to stress. Witnessing a tornado or other natural disaster can cause stress, as can a crime in the neighborhood. The way we perceive circumstances or events in our lives—negatively or positively—also affects our stress levels.

bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, causes changes in a person's mood, energy level, behavior, and ability to function. A person with bipolar disorder alternates between extreme happiness, called mania, and extreme sadness. These extreme emotions may leave the person tired and unable to concentrate. They may also result in overeating and oversleeping.

bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a condition in which a person alternates between extreme happiness, called mania, and extreme sadness.

cost (factor)

Budget is important for everyone. People often figure out how much they are willing to spend for a particular item and then compare different brands available within that price range. They then buy the brand that gives the best performance for their money.

everyday stress

But everyday stressors are a different story. For example, teens can feel stressed by class tests, sports competitions, or school plays or performances. All of these stressors can be managed by preparing carefully. Several strategies can help to reduce stress. One is planning and managing our time well. Thinking in advance about our tasks and devising a good plan to accomplish them always helps.

commercial website

Commercial websites usually promote a business or a service and are among the most common on the Internet. Their Internet addresses end with .com. Some examples are www.google.com, www.msn.com, and www.cnn.com. Since most are commercial enterprises, .com websites may be biased when providing information about products, so you should inspect their claims carefully.

summary

Communication is the exchange of information, ideas, thoughts, and emotions. Your communication style defines how you interact with other people and determines the quality of your relationships with them. Communication can be verbal or nonverbal. How you say something is just as important as what you say. Verbal cues in your voice include qualities such as tone, pitch, and volume. Nonverbal cues include body language, facial expressions, and gestures. These cues can alter the way people receive your messages. In addition to talking, communication is about attentive listening. You can show interest in another person through nonverbal cues such as nodding your head or through verbal cues such as asking questions. When you converse with people, try to keep your exchanges positive. Positive communication can go a long way toward maintaining healthy long-term relationships. If you must criticize, do it in a way that helps, not hurts. Conflicts between people can arise because of misunderstandings, disagreements, and unfair situations. You can manage most conflicts through tactful communication. Resolve small conflicts using negotiation strategies. When a negotiation fails or a conflict has escalated, it might be a good idea to contact a trained, impartial third party called a mediator. Never compromise your beliefs, values, or safety during heated conflicts. Turn to the authorities or other adults for help.

Communication

Communication is the process of sharing information and expressing your thoughts and emotions. Communication can be written, spoken, or expressed through body language. How you communicate determines the quality of relationships you have with people in your environment. It can affect how you feel about yourself and others and can even contribute to your success at school and on the job. Often, how you say something is equally as important as what you say.

Culture and Personality

Culture also affects personality traits. Some cultures encourage independence while others push an individual toward dependence. In some cultures, you can acceptably express your feelings in public while in others, people encourage you to be reserved and private.

dentist

Dentists and dental assistants treat conditions of the teeth and gums and teach preventive oral care.

positive stress

Depending on the situation, stress can have either a negative or a positive impact on us. The tension that builds up before an exam pushes us to study harder. This is an example of positive stress, where the stress enhances our performance.

Depression challenge

Depression can affect the overall well-being of a person to varying degrees, depending on the severity of the illness. A depressed person experiences changes in mood, abrupt changes in sleeping patterns, and decreased energy levels.

Depression symptoms

Depression is common among people of all ages, but teenagers are particularly prone to it as they still are learning to handle their emotions. Depressed people may not "look" sad, but they usually show certain indicative symptoms. People going through depression may be unable to concentrate, or they may drop out of social activities. Their grades may suddenly start slipping. They may easily become tired, irritable, and restless, and their activity level may fluctuate. Their appetite may change, resulting in significant weight gain or loss. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness, as well as thoughts of death or suicide, are also warning signs of depression.

Preventing Suicide

Depression is the leading indicator of suicidal thoughts, so it must always be taken seriously. If someone you know is talking about death, dying, or of committing suicide, you need to seek professional help right away. If you are feeling suicidal, you should know that there are many people who want to support you during this difficult time. Even if you don't feel like it, you must reach out for help. Why has the youth suicide rate skyrocketed in recent years? Why would teenagers, who have lived for such a short time, choose to die? Many factors contribute to teen suicide. Modern life places immense pressure on teenagers. The competition for grades and college admissions is tough. Violence in our cities and neighborhoods is also a factor. Easy access to the tools for suicide, such as guns and pills, also contribute to the suicide rate.

Proper Waste Disposal

Disposing of waste appropriately helps protect land and water. Many communities now have legal dump sites for hazardous waste and special days when you can bring in paint, motor oil, batteries, and other hazardous household waste.

Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)

Emotionally stable people tend to be optimistic, relaxed, secure, and calm even during tough situations. Less emotionally stable people tend to be pessimistic, fearful, worried, and angry. They assume the worst is going to happen in most situations.

Emotions

Emotions are responses to life situations that involve your mind, body, and behavior. Here's how it works: your mind registers a situation and sends messages to your body. You experience certain sensations or bodily changes, and you react by changing your behavior in various ways. How you express your emotions and how you process them internally can affect your mental and emotional health.

Confused emotions

Emotions can be confusing. Sometimes you know what you are feeling but at other times you may feel overwhelming emotions without any apparent cause. Hormones (chemicals secreted by glands) can also affect your emotions. They can make you feel very happy at one moment and very sad at another. Sometimes you may feel jealous of and happy for a friend at the same time. Then you're having mixed emotions. Learning to identify your feelings accurately can help you learn to respond in healthy ways to life situations.

Isolation (depression)

Especially when we are teenagers, we are emotionally vulnerable to negative interactions with our peers. If you are often ridiculed, if you feel isolated, or if you struggle to fit in but don't succeed, you're more likely than others to experience depression.

Mental and emotional effects of stress

Stress affects us mentally and emotionally as well. It interferes with our ability to concentrate because our mind keeps going back to the stressor. This interference can affect our performance at school, work, or home. Doing poorly at school or work may make us think that we are destined to fail when, in fact, our poor performance is really due to a specific stressor. Stress also causes us to go through drastic mood swings. We feel happy one moment and sad the next. This phenomenon is very common among teenagers, owing to hormonal changes as well as academic and social pressures. These mood swings can affect a teenager's social and family life. Stress causes some of us to resort to drinking, smoking, or drugs. We conveniently use stress as an excuse, without realizing that using these substances can increase stress levels rather than reduce them. Remember, the effects of stress are not the same in each person and vary depending on the person's personality and ability to adapt to situations.

Stress Challenge

Stress, especially at high levels, can interfere with your daily activities and relationships. Stress can cause you to lose the ability to properly concentrate on your goals and to think negatively. Highly stressed people tend to have increased mood swings: feeling happy in one moment and sad the next. The hormonal changes of adolescence as well as social and academic pressures can also cause mood swings in teenagers, which can affect their relationships with family and friends. High levels of stress can cause some people to abuse substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. In turn, substance abuse increases stress.

passive-aggressive personality disorder

Symptoms of passive-aggressive personality disorder include not being able to make decisions and being overly dependent on others.

eating disorders

Teenagers are more likely than others to be influenced by the "ideal" figures glamorized in the media. Many teens know little about true ideal weight and believe that dieting is a normal activity. So teens are more likely than adults to suffer from eating disorders. Extreme eating patterns, like a compulsion to eat or to avoid eating, define eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are two disorders that are likely to arise from an obsession with being thin. The underlying causes of eating disorders can be depression, peer and family pressure, substance abuse, or a family history of weight problems. These disorders can cause serious heart conditions and kidney failure. Many consider an eating disorder a woman's problem. But studies show that men do suffer from eating disorders. Since they are less likely to seek help, the illness can be more dangerous for them.

Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of telecommunication devices, such as computers and wireless devices, to deliver and receive healthcare services and share medical information. As technology evolves, more and more patients are turning to it to assist them with their medical needs. Instead of driving to a traditional facility, some patients are turning to the Internet. They are able to video conference with medical staff, transmit images, and access their medical records online. Consultation and diagnosis occur directly via the Web. Doctors and surgeons can be virtually present during surgeries and procedures even when they're miles away. Telehealth is not accepted by or made available to everyone because of issues surrounding privacy laws.

Tertiary Care

Tertiary care is a highly specialized level of care that involves advanced treatments at a cutting-edge facility. The facility might be a university hospital or a research institute. A tertiary care provider commonly works with patients over an extended period, using the latest ideas in science and technology. The ideas are sometimes experimental in nature.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA studies and assesses the environment to protect it and the people affected by any negative change in the environment. The EPA achieves its goal of environmental protection by taking the following steps: -When Congress passes a law concerning the environment, the EPA writes the rules and regulations for that law. States meet these regulations in their own ways. If they are unable to fully comply, the EPA helps them figure out how to do so. -The EPA spends half of its budget on providing grants to state environmental programs and nonprofit organizations to help achieve the goal of a clean environment. -The EPA identifies environmental problems and tries to find solutions for them. -The EPA educates the public on ways to protect the environment.

Internet

The Internet consists of millions of networks—private, public, academic, business, and government—that are both local and global in scope. It is a vast, dynamic storehouse of information that a vast number of people can access simultaneously through electronic mail, online chat, file transfer and sharing, online gaming, and online shopping.

National Level

The U.S. government manages public health at the national, state, and local levels. At the national level, the government creates policies that various health organizations implement. One such policy is the Clean Air Act. The government designed the Clean Air Act to ensure that all Americans could breathe safe air. According to this act, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must set national health-based air quality standards. These standards are created to protect people from the harmful effects of common pollutants such as ozone (smog), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate soot. State governments must then devise cleanup plans to meet these health standards by a specific date. The EPA also sets national standards for major new sources of pollution, including automobiles, trucks, and electric power plants. Implementing this act has resulted in a major improvement in air quality. Since its passage, toxic lead emissions have dropped by 98 percent, and sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions have dropped by 35 and 32 percent respectively.

Advertising and media influence of health purchases

Every day, TV beams images of miracle products into our homes. Print media publish ridiculous claims day in and day out. And they all sound so true! Often, celebrities endorse the products. How often have you thought that if this actor uses this brand of hair color, you should try it too? Advertisers use all of the tricks in the book to attract your attention and persuade you to use their products. They promise free gifts, making you think that the product is a good bargain. They may show images of laboratories, as if the product is well tested, or they may use outdoor views to suggest the product is natural or herbal. They show happy and contended people, underlining the idea that this product will add fun to your life. Often, they show testimonials from people who benefited from these products. The packaging is attractive, the claims are miraculous, and the guarantees are impossible. But not all herbal or so-called natural products are safe. The preservatives or chemicals they may contain to increase their shelf life could cause negative side effects. They may not have been clinically tested at all, or might have been tested by unauthorized labs. It's always prudent to read the fine print of their claims.

fear

Fear is an emotion you feel when you sense a threat to your safety or security. You may feel fear if your bicycle starts to skid on a gravel road or someone threatens to hit you. When fearful, you experience a racing heartbeat and rapid breathing, and you may become cold or sweaty. Fear is helpful as it makes you run away from life-threatening situations. Fear sometimes can be harmful if it is not based on a real threat. For example, a person afraid of water may never learn to swim or even go in a boat.

Other ways to reduce water and land pollution

Fewer vehicles on the road reduces noise pollution, as does replacing small electric equipment such as lawn mowers and chain saws with manual equipment.

Ways to Manage and Avoid Depression

First, be aware that in life, as a teenager and beyond, you will experience emotional ups and downs. There's no way around that! Emotional turmoil can come from events as different as a significant loss (of a loved one or pet, for example) or a sudden change in your life, such as moving to a new, unfamiliar place. Or it can arise from school or work difficulties, disappointments or failures of many kinds, conflict with a friend, or a prolonged illness or disability. Next, pay attention to those feelings and allow yourself to process them in helpful ways. Some people benefit from talking with trusted friends or family members. Others find writing their thoughts in a private journal can help. For others, engaging in creative activities or helping another person can clear sad feelings. Again, it's important to recognize depression before it escalates. Then find ways to express your feelings to yourself or others, get involved in activities that help you feel good, and seek help developing your social skills and personal resiliency.Rea

peer group

Friends are an important influence on the personality. Friends who are about the same age and share similar interests are called a peer group. If your peer group models healthy behaviors, such as cooperation, the group can have a positive influence on your personality.

Generic vs. Brand Name

Generally, branded products cost more than non-branded, or generic, products. That does not mean they're better though. For example, paracetamol is a generic medicine for fever. It is available in drug stores under this generic name or as brand-name drugs, such as Crocin. The generic and the brand-name drugs do the same thing; however, the brand-name drugs are usually more expensive (someone has to pay for all that advertising).

Specific, well-defined goals

Goals that are well defined and specific are easier to achieve than those that are general. For example, a person hoping to become mentally and emotionally healthy in a year's time is setting an overly general goal. A person aiming to reduce stress by exercising in some form every day has a more specific goal. However, planning to exercise rigorously every day is probably not realistic.

Good mental and emotional health

Good mental and emotional health is not just about the absence of disorders or problems. It includes the positive presence of certain elements, especially those that affect your adaptability. Unfortunately, many people focus on their mental and emotional health only when they develop problems. In fact, like physical health, mental and emotional health requires maintenance. Good habits can prevent more severe problems from developing. It also requires knowing what to do when the more severe problems do arise.

happiness

Happiness is an emotion you feel when you experience pleasant events in life. For example, you do well in school, engage in a favorite activity, or receive a nice gift. When happy, you feel energetic, creative, and friendly.

How to communicate with a suicidal person

Has a friend or family member of yours ever said, "I don't want to live any longer" or "I wish I were dead"? How have you reacted to such a comment? Do not ignore these statements; you could save someone's life. If you know someone who's showing warning signs of suicide, you can help him or her in the following ways: Have a meaningful conversation with the person. Showing interest and listening will make him or her feel wanted. Make the person realize that suicide is not a solution to any problem. Show compassion for the person and sympathize with his or her emotions. Encourage the person to seek professional help from a counselor or a therapist. Most importantly, show your support.

binge eating disorder

Have you ever overeaten your favorite food until there was no room left in your stomach for dessert? We all overeat sometimes. Binge eating, however, is an eating disorder where people cannot control their compulsion to overeat. They eat and eat, even when they are not hungry or are full. Binge eating differs from bulimia because it is not followed by purging. People with binge eating disorder gain a lot of weight, which leads to high blood pressure, bladder problems, and high cholesterol. They are also at risk of certain types of cancers. Like bulimics, binge eaters suffer from low self-esteem and depression. They benefit from counseling about how to control their eating. And if they are overweight, a healthy weight-loss program combined with a proper diet can also be helpful.

health protection

Health protection involves direct action by government and local health organizations to curb the growth and spread of diseases. First these groups survey the current public health conditions. They then think of ways to improve these conditions, or to maintain them if they are good. They introduce policies and take the necessary actions to improve public health. Some of the actions taken by the government for health protection are: -treating the water supply so it is germ free -providing free vaccinations to prevent the spread of illnesses -testing all packaged food products before they are sold

Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals are people who provide medical services to you. Care providers generally belong to one of three categories: primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Reuse

Here are some examples of reuse: save cardboard boxes for packaging or storing items; reuse paper and plastic grocery bags or use cloth bags for your groceries; and donate unneeded clothes and furniture to a local charity.

ozone layer

High up near the top of our atmosphere, the ozone layer protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. However, closer to the earth's surface, this gas can be dangerous. Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds present in auto exhaust, industrial emissions, and gasoline vapors combine to form ozone. Ozone in the air can irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis.

Agreeableness

Highly agreeable people are cooperative, forgiving, good-natured, and assume that people are honest and mean well. People who have difficulty trusting others and assume they are hostile or are trying to take advantage will have a harder time being agreeable. The term disagreeable sounds very negative, but people who are highly suspicious of others are likely to feel the need to protect themselves from perceived threats instead of leaving themselves open to the dictates of others.

School environment effects on health

How does your school environment affect your health? Are the restrooms and classrooms reasonably germ-free? Does the cafeteria serve healthy food, and is it prepared under hygienic conditions? Unclean surroundings can affect your health by spreading pathogens.

Different things that affect conversations

How you say something is just as important as what you say. The tone, pitch, and volume of your voice affect the messages that you send. For example, if the volume of your voice is high, it can imply that you're excited, angry, surprised, or frustrated. Some people use a sarcastic tone. Sarcasm is saying one thing but meaning another and often involves cutting down another person for humor's sake. Although intended to be harmless, sarcasm can be a difficult tone to interpret for some.

Indian Health Service (IHS)

IHS provides health care for American Indians.

personal recommendation

If a person you respect or consider trustworthy and knowledgeable recommends a product, you are more likely to buy it.

depression: if untreated

If untreated, depression can make someone more likely to engage in substance abuse or exhibit severe behavior problems. It may push a person to consider or commit suicide. So it's important that we look out for symptoms of depression in people we care for, and in ourselves.

health promotion

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health promotion as "the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health." Health promotion is an indirect way of improving public health. Here are a few ways this is done: -Educating the public about the hazards and benefits of various actions and substances. For example, providing information on the hazards of substance abuse— tobacco, alcohol, and drugs—allows people to make a more informed choice about using these substances. -Educating people about the benefits of consuming nutritious food and leading an active lifestyle. -Building recreation centers in different localities for the citizens. -Suggesting techniques to improve public health such as carpooling to work or school and appropriate use of heaters and air conditioners.

The best discussions

The best discussions take place when two people trust one another. They can speak openly and honestly without passing judgment. Expect to learn something as you enter into discussions with people. This approach will help you appreciate how unique people are, and you will develop a higher level of acceptance.

land pollution

The contamination of land by both solid and hazardous waste

Degree of noise and level of safety

The degree of noise and level of safety in our communities most directly affects our mental and emotional health. But the stress from too much noise or too little safety affects our physical health as well.

Treatment of Depression

The good news is that most cases of depression can be treated successfully. The key to this treatment is getting help soon. It's important to recognize severe cases of depression early. If you see the symptoms of depression present for more than two weeks, you need to seek help.

Data on health related topics

The good news is that not only can you use the Internet to buy health products and services, you can also find a lot of good data on health-related topics. This will help you make informed decisions and buy better health products. However, this convenience does not come without risks. You are more likely to be misinformed or taken advantage of since you are communicating with a nameless entity. It is important to know how to use Internet safely to get information as well as to buy genuine health products and services. The sheer amount of information on some websites can be overwhelming, or it can be confusing and downright contradictory. Sometimes it's hard to figure out which information is trustworthy. However, there are certain types of websites that are more reliable than others.

physical effects of stress

If we ignore these signs, stress can harm our bodies in several ways. Stress affects our digestive system and can lead to gas, cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. It also increases the acid content in the stomach, causing stomachaches. Extended stress can also trigger asthma and headaches. Some effects of stress develop over a longer time. Stress weakens the muscle fibers in the heart and damages the lining of blood vessels, which can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Stress not only causes certain illnesses but also weakens the immune system. The immune system protects our bodies from diseases by fighting them. A weak immune system will not be able to keep us healthy. Studies show that during the alarm stage of stress response, the body's immune system functions better than normal. However, prolonged exposure to stress weakens the immune system and reduces its capacity to fight diseases. This in turn increases our chances of catching minor illnesses such as a cold or the flu.

Family and peer communication

If we still find it difficult to overcome stress, we should talk about our problems to a close friend or a family member. Sharing our problems with loved ones will help us gain a better perspective and find the support we need.

Coping with emotion

If your emotions become too tough to handle, you can use some coping strategies to deal with them. These can be helpful when they improve the situation or allow you to handle it in a better way. They can be harmful if they make the situation worse or make you less able to handle it. Sometimes you use coping strategies without being aware that you are using them.

Motor Vehicle Safety

Improvements in motor vehicle safety have greatly reduced the number of deaths due to road accidents. Each year the government compiles information on the number of deaths from road accidents. It analyzes the reasons for these accidents and creates rules and norms, which help prevent the occurrence of similar accidents in the future. Laws that require people to wear seat belts or use child safety seats have successfully reduced the number of deaths due to road accidents over the years. Also, large fines or imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has greatly reduced drunken driving. This in turn has reduced the number of road accidents. Better engineering of vehicles and roads has also reduced motor vehicle accidents.

Government's Role in Health Policy

Improving and promoting public health is primarily the responsibility of the government. The clean water supply, proper disposal of human waste, and the reduction in epidemics are all results of efforts by governments to improve public health. Every country has its own set of health standards and corresponding policies to meet those standards. Health organizations exist at the international level too. These organizations monitor the public health of various countries around the globe and set standards for healthy conditions.

False health advertisements

In 2008, 38 million Americans ended up using a phony health product, according to the Food and Drug Administration. These products include tonics, salves, supplements, health food and drinks, safety equipment, sports equipment, and over-the-counter medicines for ailments ranging from a cough to impotence to diabetes to cancer.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

In a PPO, members pay a monthly or yearly premium, but PPO members are not required to have a primary care doctor acting as a gatekeeper. Unlike HMO members, PPO members can see a doctor or a specialist without a referral. They can even go outside their network, but they should expect to pay more out of pocket for this choice. PPOs offer more flexibility than HMOs, but that flexibility comes at a higher price. Members usually have to manage their own paperwork when they choose out-of-network services.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

In an HMO, members pay a monthly or yearly premium to cover all their medical expenses, without paying co-insurance or a deductible. Members must have a primary care doctor in the network who acts as a gatekeeper. This doctor makes decisions on referrals, usually to specialists within the network. HMOs commonly have small co-payments for office visits and prescriptions.

Verbal Communication Skills

In an earlier scenario, Paula asserted herself by using the word I in her conversation. By using I instead of you, Paula avoided blaming her employee, Curtis, to keep the conversation positive. She looked for ways that she could help Curtis too. Look at the difference that using I and you can make when expressing feelings during everyday events.

Control of Infectious Diseases

In the early twentieth century, infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid were major causes of death. Research on these diseases revealed unclean water and improper sanitation as their root causes. The consequent improvement in water supply and sanitation methods saw a major reduction in the occurrence of these epidemics. Also, the discovery of antimicrobial therapy has helped in controlling infections such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Setting Goals for Mental and Emotional Health

In the previous sections, you read about some important parts of and challenges to mental and emotional health. In this section, you will practice setting goals to achieve and maintain better mental and emotional health. Dealing with the challenges to mental and emotional health requires systematic and committed effort. To get the maximum benefit, you need to understand your current situation, visualize what you want in terms of mental and emotional health, and then set goals. Before setting goals, you should be aware of the strong and weak aspects of your mental and emotional health. For example, you could be highly resilient but emotionally inexpressive or shy. Once you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you can set goals for yourself that are realistic, specific, and flexible.

Traditional Health Insurance Plans

In traditional health insurance plans, insurance providers share in the expense of healthcare with you. It is one of the more flexible insurance plans, but can also result in some of the highest out-of-pocket expenses. A health insurance provider charges you a monthly premium, or fee. By collecting the fee, the insurance provider agrees that it will help you with your medical bills under certain conditions. The conditions of an insurance plan are best understood using an example. Trent had an overnight stay in a hospital. The hospital bill came to $1,500. Trent's insurance plan has a deductible of $1,000 and a co-pay of $15. After Trent pays the deductible, his insurance plan will pay for 80 percent of the remaining bill. Trent will be responsible for the other 20 percent. In other words, Trent's plan has an 80/20 co-insurance clause. How much will Trent pay out of pocket for this bill?

Online Marketing

It has also become a large market for companies because of its efficient and low-cost advertising and opportunities for e-commerce. The Internet has revolutionized shopping by bringing the products or services to you, instead of you having to go shopping for them. For example, you can order vitamins online and receive them in the mail within a couple of days. The Internet is an effective advertising medium that has greatly facilitated personalized marketing—that is, marketing a product to a specific person or a specific group of people.

Understanding Health Insurance

It's all over the news. The cost of healthcare services is rising. Paying to see a primary care doctor or a medical specialist is expensive. Paying for all your healthcare expenses on your own is nearly impossible, so it's wise to turn to health insurance for assistance. Health insurance is a way that consumers guard against acquiring insurmountable medical bills. Health insurance is a plan where you receive help with your medical costs from private companies or from the government. Employees can usually purchase health insurance through their employers. People who operate their own businesses must buy their own insurance. The federal government offers low-cost or free insurance through Medicaid for people who can't afford health insurance through other agencies.

Flexible goals

It's also helpful to keep your goals flexible so that you can change or modify them in new life circumstances. For example, Mario wants to read a particular self-help book in a month. He needs half an hour every day to do that. But because of his hectic schedule, he gets only 15 minutes every day. So he changes his goal to completing the book in two months.

mental health counselor

It's never too early or too late to seek professional help for depression. You can consult mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Depending on their areas of expertise, they can either help you directly or refer you to the best professional person who can.

bulimia nervosa

Joanne is afraid of putting on weight, but at the same time, she can't control her urge to eat. She tries to maintain her weight by eating large quantities and then vomiting. She often goes through cycles of strict dieting and binge eating. Joanne is suffering from bulimia. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating and then purging the food from the body by vomiting or taking laxatives. Most people with bulimia don't gain weight, but the binging and purging causes dehydration, kidney damage, and nutrient deficiency. People suffering from bulimia may be aware that they are overeating but are unable to control themselves. As a result, they may develop low self-esteem, depression, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. It's hard to know when people are bulimic because they may behave normally in public or may be too embarrassed to seek help.

learned emotions

Learned emotions are more complex emotions that people of different cultures express in different ways. A person's social environment shapes how he or she expresses learned emotions. Examples include love, guilt, and shame.

severe depression

Less severe forms of depression may or may not need professional help, but severe depressions definitely do. Studies show that severe depression can decrease immunity to and aggravate other medical conditions, giving depressed people a shortened life expectancy. Studies also show that up to 60 percent of all people who commit suicide have a mood disorder such as depression.

Positive Exchanges

Let's face it, not all exchanges are positive. Sometimes our attitudes get in the way of our messages. That's when communication can break down. However, it should be the goal of communicators to promote peaceful messages that maintain emotions, not amplify them. Here are two examples of positive exchanges that you can use to harbor good feelings with those around you: -Praise and recognition -Constructive criticism

Reducing water and land pollution

Let's look at ways to reduce land and water pollution. Following the three Rs—reduce, reuse, and recycle—will help you cut down on waste that ends up in landfills. Reducing and reusing are part of what's called precycling. You can reduce waste by using fewer disposable products and by purchasing products that are packaged in recyclable material. You can also buy products that have minimal packaging. For example, buy in bulk or buy concentrated products that come in smaller packages.

local level

Local organizations have their own ways of implementing national and state health policies in their communities. Take the issue of air pollution, for instance. At the local level, this problem can be tackled at a personal level. Local organizations and communities can provide the means and encourage people to reduce air pollution. For example, they may promote carpooling to work or school, using public transportation instead of private vehicles, or using manual equipment rather than electronic equipment. These are all ways individuals can help reduce air pollution.

love

Love is a deep feeling of affection and concern. People can feel love for a person, such as a family member or a girlfriend or boyfriend; for a place, such as their country or a favorite park; or even for an object, such as a bike or a book. People express love in different ways. Caring words, loving touches, or thoughtful actions are some ways people express love toward each other. Men and women of the same culture often express love differently. Women in some cultures express love in words and men by sharing activities. Love is a positive emotion. The capacity to give and receive love is important for mental and emotional health.

Low self-esteem challenge

Low self-esteem leads people to criticize and find fault with themselves. Since they do not respect themselves, they do not take care of themselves and tend to participate in risky behaviors. People with low self-esteem waste valuable time worrying about what other people think of them. Fear of failure and looking bad prevents them from trying new things or taking on more responsibilities. Low self-esteem is therefore a challenge to good mental health.

common stressors

Major life changes such as a death in the family or a sudden change in lifestyle are very common stressors. Small, everyday mishaps such as misplacing your keys, running late for class, or arguing with friends also cause stress. Our stress levels can be affected by excess noise, crowds, and even air pollution!

Major or clinical depression

Major or clinical depression is a medical condition that is more severe than reactive depression and lasts much longer. It could be genetic in nature or may occur as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Major depression can also develop from untreated reactive depression.

Become an Advocate

The last—and the most important—step in improving public health is advocating for it. That means speaking up loud and clear to let others know about the issue and the different ways they can help you address it. Here are a few ways you can advocate for the public health. -The best way of showing your support for something is by practicing it yourself. You will set an example for the rest of your community by doing so. For example, if you want the people in your community to get immunized against certain diseases, keep your own immunizations up to date. You can also promote healthy behavior by always wearing a seat belt while driving or a helmet while riding a bike. -Actively participate in activities that promote healthy behavior. You should also participate in charity events held for causes such as AIDS or cancer research. -Speak out about the issues of your community at public meetings. Make people aware of them. -Write to the editor of your school and local newspapers to make the issue public. -Bring your issues to the notice of the concerned authorities by meeting them in person or writing to them. You can organize your peers to join you in this. -Join a local community group that deals with public health issues affecting various communities. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for a cause. Every action you take in helping your community shows your concern for yourself and the people around you.

Maintaining a positive outlook

The most helpful of all stress reducers is to maintain a positive outlook. Our thought processes determine our state of mind, so a positive outlook reduces the effects of stress.

Causes, Effects, and Signs of Depression

The news of Dana's sudden death in a car accident came as a shock to all her friends, including Samantha. While the other friends began to recover from this shock within a few weeks, Samantha still finds it impossible to accept Dana's absence even after a few months. She is always teary eyed, has stopped going out with friends, and has become listless and morose. Her grades have slipped and she has lost a lot of weight. Why is Samantha taking so long to recover from this loss? Samantha is depressed. Common sadness and depression seem similar, but actually are very different. When the feeling of sadness lingers on and starts affecting our daily life, it turns into depression. We often mistake depression for common sadness or "moodiness." While common sadness and mood swings are typical of adolescence, depression is a mental illness that needs to be treated.

Resistance

The next stage of stress response is resistance. In this stage, the symptoms from the alarm stage disappear, and we no longer feel stressed. Instead, the body acts on our decision to either fight or flee—and does so at a much higher than normal performance level. For example, if we choose to flee, we can run much faster than normal.

educational website

The primary function of educational websites is to provide information about or for an educational establishment or to present information in an educational manner. The educational establishment, such as a college or a university, needs to be recognized and accredited by the U.S. Department of Education to register as an educational website. These websites' Internet addresses end with .edu. Some examples are www.imsa.edu, www.awu.edu, and www.nrc.edu. The information given on educational websites is fairly reliable.

Government Websites

The primary function of governmental websites is to provide information about and for government entities in the United States. Internet addresses of such websites end with .gov, which assures visitors that they are accessing an official government website. Some examples are www.fda.gov, www.state.gov, and www.uscourts.gov. Apart from purely government entities, some technically private organizations that have a formal association with the federal government can also use .gov. For example, the website for the quasi-public Federal Reserve System is www.federalreserve.gov. A .gov website represents the current administration's point of view and can be trusted for providing reliable information.

Organizational commercials

The primary function of organizational websites is to provide information about nonprofit organizations such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and charitable organizations. They usually advocate an individual's opinion or a group's point of view. Their Internet addresses end with .org. Some examples are www.wikipedia.org, www.gp.org, and www.un.org. Because these websites often post opinions and members' point of views, you need to verify the content carefully.

Maintaining public health

The public health system includes both government and private organizations that work in unison with the public to achieve their goal. They closely observe a population, identify what it needs for optimum health, and incorporate necessary policies to achieve it. They help maintain public health by: -educating the public on various health-related issues and ways to avoid health problems -promoting healthy lifestyles -conducting research on various diseases and their prevention -maintaining statistics on deaths and illnesses due to various causes

Communication Styles

There are four main types of communication: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive.

Phony product claims

These fraudulent products usually claim to have special ingredients that give instant relief from the problems you are suffering. They don't go through clinical trials, but spend thousands of dollars on infomercial videos and use celebrities to endorse their products. They even hire actors to play doctors who endorse their product. If you have a health problem, you are more vulnerable and are therefore more likely to be fooled by these product claims. For health problems, it's safest to use recognized health services, such as primary care doctors or specialists, clinics, dentists, community centers, and health clubs.

Modeling

They copy the behavior of their parents or others in the family. This behavior is known as modeling.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This department collects data and conducts research on all forms of diseases, disorders, and disabilities.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

This department is the principal health agency of the U.S. government and is responsible for protecting the health of all citizens and providing essential services. Some of these services include: -sponsoring health research and education -compiling and analyzing health information -setting health and safety standards -funding programs for people in need of public health services Different departments within HHS carry out HHS's many programs.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

This organization forms the world's largest humanitarian network. It mainly aims to help people affected by natural disasters and conflicts. The main goals of this organization are: -to reduce the impact and the number of deaths and injuries from disasters -to reduce the impact and the number of deaths and illnesses from diseases and public health emergencies -to increase the capacity—in terms of manpower and amenities—of the local community, civil society, and Red Cross or Red Crescent society to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability -to promote respect for diversity and human dignity and reduce intolerance, discrimination, and social exclusion

Threats to public health

Threats to public health arise often, and they need to be successfully countered. A public health system is in charge of keeping a check on, and controlling these threats, which include: -immediate crises such as the SARS or AIDS epidemics -enduring problems such as chronic illnesses and injuries -toxic products from factories released into the air and water

Personalized Marketing

Through the Internet, marketing companies can gather information about the hobbies and interests of specific groups and what they will purchase online. Then they advertise their products to those users. They usually gather such information from social networking websites such as MySpace, Friendster, Orkut, and Facebook. A majority of the products marketed this way are health products and services.

pain and depression

To avoid the pain of depression, you might be more likely to resort to drugs or alcohol, or to engage in violence and criminal activities. Depression may also lead you to become the victim of others, or to have suicidal thoughts or tendencies.

To be an effective communicator...

To be an effective communicator, you must bring a set of values to each of your conversations. Understand who you are and what you believe in. That will make it easier for you to share your opinions, and the conversation will flow naturally. It helps to know a little bit about your audience and their beliefs as well. Expectations for your exchanges then become clearer.

deforestation

To make way for new houses, stores, and other buildings, many trees must be cut down. This destruction is called deforestation, and it disrupts the fragile balance of nature. Besides destroying the homes of many plants and animals, deforestation causes soil erosion, flooding, and sediment buildup in lakes and rivers. Deforestation also reduces rainfall, which can change a green and humid region into a hot and dry one.

managing stress

To prevent ill effects from stress, we need to be able to manage the stressors affecting us. Most of us think that stress is inevitable. However, this is not always true. While some stressors are beyond our control, we can manage others. It is important that we can tell the difference between the two in order to reduce their effects. For example, we cannot control the occurrence of a natural disaster or the death of a family member.

Conflict

Try as you might, communication does not always begin or end peacefully. Sometimes, communication can turn to conflict. Conflict is a disagreement or fight that is caused by a number of different variables. Interpersonal conflict occurs between two or more people.

Verbal signs of suicidal thoughts

Verbal signs would include talking about death. A suicidal person may directly or indirectly talk about committing suicide. Be on alert for these types of statements: -I wish I were dead! -I want to die. -Soon this pain will be over. -I won't have to put up with this for long. -They'll be sorry when I'm gone. Another verbal sign is writing poems or lyrics in which death is the main idea. We shouldn't ignore any of these signs in ourselves, in friends, or in family members no matter how harmless they might seem.

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. It sets health standards and norms for countries all over the world and provides necessary support to countries in meeting those standards. The core functions of the WHO are: -providing leadership on health-related matters and engaging in partnerships with other organizations where joint action is needed to achieve a certain goal -shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation, and distribution of valuable knowledge -setting norms and standards for public health and promoting and monitoring their implementation -providing technical support to countries in need, catalyzing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity -monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends

water pollution

Water pollution has many sources. Rainwater and melted snow that runs off the land, called runoff water, carries pesticides, fertilizers, and other wastes from agricultural land into our water supplies. Household cleaners contain excess phosphates and chlorine, which harm plants and animals. Industrial wastes—such as dyes, acids, solvents, mercury, and lead—bring hazardous or nonbiodegradable materials to the water supply. Sediment from land erosion can clog waterways. And oil from offshore drilling, as well as from household and automotive uses, can reach water supplies. Before the Clean Water Act of 1971, many U.S. communities dumped household sewage directly into waterways. Now, before it can be discharged, that water has to go through a process in which microorganisms break down the waste materials. When some of this industrial waste, hazardous household waste, and pollution from runoff water makes it to our water supplies, the result is water pollution, which can cause diseases and birth defects.

anxiety disorders

We all experience a normal feeling of anxiety when we think something dreadful is going to happen. When this anxiety refuses to go away and makes a person extremely nervous and tense, it becomes an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering different forms of abnormal anxieties, fears, and phobias. A person with an anxiety disorder suffers from an excessive and irrational fear of everyday situations. Studies say that 10 percent of Americans have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can be treated with medication or therapy. The choice of treatment depends on what the patient is comfortable with and the type of disorder involved.

physical activity

We cannot avoid some stressors, but we can reduce their effects by practicing stress management techniques. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress because when we experience stress, the nervous energy in our bodies increases. Physical exercise such as jogging, dancing, and swimming helps us release this energy.

Advocating for Public Health

We have learned how the government and private health organizations help in improving public health. But the government isn't the only one with the ability to improve public health conditions—you can help improve public health, starting in your own community.

Public Health Policies

We just learned about the government's role in maintaining public health. Sounds good in theory, but how well does it work? As a matter of fact, very well!

What is health?

We usually associate the word health with physical health. When people are not suffering from any obvious physical illness, we consider them healthy. But health includes more than just our physical health. It's important to look for warning signs of mental illnesses as they are likely to go undetected.

Pollution (definition)

What exactly is pollution? Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that cause harm to the organisms living in it. These pollutants affect different parts of the environment, the three major parts being air, land, and water. Our lives are also significantly affected by noise pollution.

emergency room

When patients have serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries, they might be brought to an emergency room (ER). Some arrive by ambulance, depending on the situation. Medical staff work quickly under pressure in the ER to treat acute conditions. Emergency rooms are often connected to hospitals.

secondary care

When physicians look for further assistance in diagnosing or treating a problem, they might refer a patient to a medical specialist. Medical specialists are called secondary care providers because they usually do not have first contact with patients. They are educated and trained in a specific area of medicine. They often team with a primary care physician to solve more complex issues that arise. The table shows some medical specialists in healthcare and the conditions that they treat. Some secondary care providers who are not physicians also play an important role in maintaining health and well-being. For example, physical therapists treat patients through exercise, mobility, and positioning. They are trained to help patients recover following an accident or to help people with disabilities improve their quality of life. Similarly, occupational therapists assist clients with skills related to the everyday tasks of living and working. Speech therapists help clients with speech disorders, language, communication, and even swallowing.

Constructive Criticism

When something is done constructively, it aims to improve something else. Criticism is a way that you disapprove of someone or something. When you put the two words together, constructive criticism is a method of disapproving but in a helpful and agreeable way. You use constructive criticism with people whom you care about and want to help. When you critique with empathy and care, you maintain positive relationships. For example, imagine that a friend shows you a short story that he's written. He is very proud of his work. But when you read the story, you surmise that it truly needs a better ending. You wouldn't say, "Your ending is missing the mark. It doesn't make any sense to me." That could hurt his feelings. Instead, you might say, "I enjoyed reading the story until I reached the end. I think the end represents a great opportunity for you to reveal more about your main character. From what I've read, I know you could really wow your readers with some new and interesting information there."

Mediation

When two parties cannot agree on a solution to a conflict, they might turn to a third party. When a third party gets involved, it's called mediation. The third party is neutral and has no stake in the outcome of the negotiations. A mediator is selected by both parties to act much like a judge acts in a court system. A mediator is a person who is trained to help people resolve their problems in a peaceful and timely manner. Some schools have implemented peer mediators. These students volunteer their time to arbitrate disputes among other students. Mediation sessions are confidential and cover a host of topics, including harassment, gossip, cheating, stealing, vandalism, and bullying. More serious issues in schools are referred to other professionals within the community.

How Your Body Processes Stress

When we encounter a stressor, our bodies and minds react in a certain way. For example, imagine you are strolling in the park and suddenly notice a huge dog, unleashed and growling at you. You immediately process the outcome of the situation ("I'll get bitten!") and react (you turn around and leave the park). This response to stress is involuntary. The nervous system and the endocrine system are responsible for our response to stressors. We respond to every stressor we encounter in the same manner, first by sizing up the situation and then reacting accordingly. The only variable is the intensity of the stressor.

trait continuum

When you analyze your personality, it's best to think of your traits on a continuum rather than simply asking whether you do or do not have a certain trait.

Praise and recognition

When you give somebody a compliment or congratulations on a job well done, you uplift the recipient's attitude and spirit. Comments like these build healthy, lasting relationships between people. They are joyful comments to both give and to receive. Recognition can be an award, a gift, a kind word, or a meaningful gesture.

At the Doctor

When you visit a primary care doctor, take an active role in your visit. Know and understand your medical history before you go. Your history might include immunization records, allergies, medications, injuries, recent illnesses, and your daily habits. You might even be asked about the history of your close family members. Information that you give to your physician is protected by privacy laws, so be sure to share information openly and honestly. This will help in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Although your medical information is confidential, with your parents' permission, your physician might share it with other professionals in the healthcare system, such as medical specialists, health insurance companies, or the government. Your parents have a right to obtain copies of your medical records by contacting your physician. The government's Office for Civil Rights sets national standards on health information security through the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

Checking the quality of a website

When you visit a website, make sure you identify the owners or authors of the site. Look for a mailing address and check for the author's credentials and contact information. If you are not sure who provided the information on a particular website, you should think twice before using it, or before purchasing the company's services or products. You also need to check whether owners regularly update the information provided on the website. Out-of-date information may not be relevant for you today. For the best information, you should visit websites that update on a regular basis. You can also judge the quality of information given on a website by checking how professionally it is presented. Misspellings, incorrect grammar, haphazard links, and confusing information indicate that the website is not professionally managed and may not be reliable. If you are not sure about the reliability of information provided on a website, you should cross-check the information against other reliable websites.

Reaction to difficult times

Why do some people find it easier to get over difficult situations while others fail? We don't have control over difficult times, but we can control our reactions to them. There are various ways to do so. We know that depression is sometimes linked to a chemical imbalance in our brains. Regular physical activities such as exercise and sports can correct this imbalance. Studies show that physically active people are not only less likely to be depressed, but are more likely to come out of sadness sooner. Working on your hobby is a good diversion from a depressing situation, as is helping others. These activities increase one's sense of purpose and achievement, which helps alleviate feelings of hopelessness.

Inpatient

You can access healthcare services in two different ways: as an inpatient or an outpatient. An inpatient is a person who stays in the hospital overnight while receiving medical services.

water conservation

You can conserve water by watering yards at cooler times of the day, not running water while you brush your teeth, making sure faucets aren't leaking, and placing closed plastic bottles of water (more reuse!) in the toilet tank so flushing uses less water.

Product Labels

You should read labels thoroughly before buying products, especially new products. Labels are a good source of information for helping you decide whether the product meets your requirements. Look at this product label. The various sections on this label can help you make an informed decision. You need to read the warnings or precautions carefully. They will tell you what harm this product can cause under certain conditions or if not used properly. The manufacturer or distributer's address will come in handy if you need to contact them later about a complaint or any other issue.

Visiting a Primary Care Physician

You will need to seek medical advice from a primary care doctor at some point in your lifetime. You might visit the doctor for a routine checkup or for a developing condition. Before choosing a doctor, it's a good idea to ask around. If friends and family are satisfied with their physician, then it is likely that you'll be satisfied too.

"You" vs. "I" language

Your brother breaks your gaming system: You broke my gaming system! What were you thinking? I'm disappointed that my system is broken, because I don't have money to buy a new one. A stranger cuts in line ahead of you: Hey, you. You need to go to the back of the line. Sorry, but my friends and I were here before you. I'd like you to move to the back of the line, please. A cashier shortchanges you: You owe me another dollar in change. You made a mistake. I just counted my change and I believe you owe me another dollar. Please check.

Ways to Promote Health in Your Environment

Your environment has an important effect on your health and that of your community. So it is important to do your part to maintain it. One necessary step toward reducing pollution is to be informed. Be aware of what is damaging the environment and your health; learn how you can change the situation. You can gather the information you need by contacting organizations concerned with the environment. Once you are equipped with information, it's time to act. Let's take a look at a few ways in which you can reduce pollution and maintain a healthy environment.

orthodontist

a dental specialist who prevents or corrects malocclusion of the teeth and related facial structures

opthamologist

a doctor who treats eyes and their diseases

gynecologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system

gastroenterologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestines

urologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males

endocrinologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

oncologist

a physician who studies and treats tumors

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

alarm, resistance, fatigue

Drug treatment center

an agency that treats chemical or drug dependency

reaction formation

behaving in a way opposite to the way you feel. You feel guilty for trying drugs at a party. You cover up your guilt by bragging to friends about it.

Factors leading to a health purchase

cost, claim, safety, Generic vs. brand name, reliability, personal recommendations, and professional reviews

birthing center

creates a family-centered birthing experience, staffed by midwives and obstetricians

cardiologist

doctor specializing in ailments of the heart

Typical stages of personality growth

ersonality develops in stages throughout a person's life. Psychologists have identified typical stages of personality growth: infancy—an infant learns to develop trust in parents childhood—a child learns to be independent adolescence—an adolescent learns to take initiative, develops life skills, and searches for an identity adulthood—a young adult establishes closeness with other people; an older adult is productive and takes care of others; an old person looks back on life with acceptance and/or regrets You can't completely control your own personality. And many of your traits will change over the course of your life. Nevertheless, knowing your personality is an important step to understanding and fostering your mental and emotional health. This knowledge can help you recognize your most likely struggles and find strategies to successfully work through them.

Regression

expressing emotions in an immature way. For example, you are mad because your sister broke your stereo equipment. You yell and stomp your feet as if you were a child instead of trying to resolve the problem more rationally.

Rationalization

giving excuses for actions or feelings. You work in a fast-food restaurant. When no one is watching, you take some money from the cash machine. You justify the action by saying they make a lot of money anyway.

assisted living center

long-term care facility for the elderly or disabled who cannot live on their own

compensation

making up for a weakness in one area by excelling in another. For example, you have failed in the school track competition. You compensate by earning good grades.

orthopedist

medical doctor who specializes in bone, joint, and muscle conditions

Hospice

medical staff visit clients with terminal illnesses to ensure comfort and freedom from pain before death

home health care

nurses who visit clients at their home to help with medical and dental care, transportation, homemaking, and therapy

Big Five Personality Traits

openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism

allergist

physician who studies and treats allergic conditions

pathologist

physician who studies body tissues and organs

Projection

putting your own faults onto another person. You play poorly in the soccer match. When your team loses, you blame your team members for playing poorly.

nursing home

similar to assisted living, but has a 24-hour nursing staff to help with medical issues