How should we mobilize communities toward better health, life and ultimately the world?

This week’s topic took me back to the class I was enrolled in last semester: “ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES FOR GLOBAL HEALTH” taught by Dr. Garbanati and Dr. Metz.
It was a great class, butt I wish I had taken it this semester, which is my last semester, rather than the first one.
When I first started MPH program I was lost; however, now when I look back, I realize how everything has come together and makes sense.
Masters in Public Health has totally opened my eyes toward the field of health care; I have now understand my passion (real career interest) and, most importantly, my own personal relationship to medicine. I will miss everyone here, and I hope we all stay in touch via email, blog or skype.

This week I would like to write about my ideas toward mobilizing communities, rather than asking for solutions from my classmate; at the same time I would appreciate your thoughts/ inputs.

In order to mobilize communities, we should first focus on evaluating various initiatives that employ community-based health promotion, community empowerment, public-private partnership models to see what has worked and what has not worked within that population in the past.
In order to come up with a more successful outcome, we should examine asset-based community techniques that focus on the strengths of communities, while acknowledging socioeconomic, educational and religious barriers/beliefs.
Understanding the context of people’s lives for health promotion and disease prevention can be a very important aspect of evaluation. By exploring issues of cultural competence, while working with community groups and community readiness for change, will make a difference in a long run.
Also, in order to maximize the outcome, we should move beyond traditional public health interventions to look at non-traditional partners and engaging communities via various channels. By examining new and innovative points of interventions, giving community residents a critical determining role in the health of their families and communities, we can make a difference. Working locally, but thinking and stepping forward globally, will explore challenges and lessons learned for community organizing and mobilizing toward healthier quality-based lifestyles, both locally and globally.

Through study and research, I am now certain that mobilizing communities is the MAIN key toward ACTION to make a better world.

There is no RIGHT ANSWER for "ETHIHCS"

Now a days living well is like putting money in a savings account. By most estimates, lifestyle accounts for 70 percent of our life span. Lifestyle is nothing but the end result of the hundreds of decisions -- large and small -- that we make every day of our lives. Our genes are responsible for the rest.
What is the simple key to a long, healthy life, living long and staying young?
It's human nature to want an easy solution, but there isn't one. Life is complicated.
Since I remember I have always tried to eat better, aiming for at least different colored, especially green, foods per day. Growing up I did my best to stay away from my Mom’s delicious, high carb and fat content Persian food, therefore, trying to reduce the stress in my life. I've also tried to get back to Yoga and make it a norm of my life style.

One thing I've learned, during exercise physiology course in my undergrad, is how important weight lifting and strengthening balance can be in avoiding broken bones later in life, while improving weight control, potency and posture now.
I've also become aware of how attitude can have a profound effect on our health and longevity. A positive outlook means a healthier body, more often than not. A sense of worth, of family, of joy -- all these can have profound and positive effects on your physical well-being.
The Stem cell research in the United States remains a sensitive debated political issue which is illegal in most countries, but claims of body rejuvenation and mind reanimation are compelling to those wishing to find a virtual fountain of youth.
Using human embryos for any purpose other than to create a baby is highly controversial.
For some people, destroying a human embryo to provide a cure for a disease or staying young is completely unacceptable. For others it is acceptable if the embryo is young enough and the disease serious enough.
To form a law, which bans or permits the use of embryos in medical research, law makers must debate all the issues with scientists, religious leaders, bio-ethicists, pressure groups and members of the public.

I know that this is a touchy topic but as a scientist or/and public health professional I would like to know your thoughts on this matter. Do you agree to use stem cell research to have our parents, grandparents stay young and live longer? Or help a paralyzed child to obtain the ability to walk?

Private Parties and Taking Advantages

The meaning of our self is not to be found in its separateness from God and others, but in the ceaseless realisation of yoga, of union; not on the side of the canvas where it is blank, but on the side where the picture is being painted.

“ALEISTER CROWLEY”

Yogi Wares Prada was an interesting presentation by our classmate Alexis Munoz, which brought a different aspect of private sector to my attention.
When I started practicing Yoga, I fell in love with the spiritual feeling of it, how yoga could present me with the fine well-rounded body movement as well as connecting my mind, body and sole together.
In class we discussed about various cultural, religion and traditional prospect of Yoga and how relevant/famous this exercise is becoming in the western world.
Some thought that there are people in America, which are taking advantage of spirituality, healthy routine and some thought we should not invade a holy enriching practices of other cultures.
So now that we know about various positive effects of this exercise, which is a great complement to our hectic life style, what recommendations do you have to reduce the behavior of private segments that are taking advantage of this great practice?
What do you suggest to enhance the promotion of structured, relaxing and consistent out look of Yoga?

Health Care Spending: Large Differences, Unequal Results

As we have been learning all through of our public health education and last week’ lecture, we know that Global inequality in health care spending is large.

According to global GDP in 2003 America’s health statement in that year was 15.2 percent of GDP; this is equal to $1.7 trillion. Dr. Shahi once mentioned, “less than 5% of the world population live in United States” and we are reporting about half of the world's health spending money.
With that said this would be assumed that America’s health care stands somewhere between scale of 1-5 globally.

So what do you think are the reasons behind the fact that “U.S health system is ranked # 37th in the world?”

This is a real big issue, with an improved/access to technology, developments which we have, our country is still ranked 37.

Rapid Response Capabilities

The topic of last week is a one of the main challenges that field of public health faces during the man made and natural disasters.
Therefore Cori completed the concept of the “rapid response” by addressing the theory of “Triage.”
To refresh your memory;
“Triage is a system used by medical or emergency personnel to ration limited medical resources when the number of injured needing care exceeds the resources available to perform care so as to treat those patients in most need of treatment who are able to benefit first.” Wikipedia
We know that we as soon to be public health professionals are leaders of crisis situations and should be able to over come stressful, traumatic conditions by using the first-class guidance and leadership skills. According to Dr. Calderon we are leaders of catastrophes and there will be peoples that may not to follow leaders!
How do you think Public health professionals should react to disobedience individuals during hardships, wars, difficult times and disasters?

Business & Health

What is Technology Innovation?

Technology is a broad concept of new ideas that deals with a usage of knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects ability to control and adapt to its environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering, although several technological advances predate the two concepts.

Last class’ topic was comprised of a broad concept of BioBusiness, BioInnovation, Public-Private Partnership and Technology Assessments.
While I got to expose to a vast amount of information it was interesting for me to look at PUBLIC HEALTH from a business perspective.
I learned that in order to achieve success in a system, besides providing good infrastructure, facilities, policies in a business; we need to have the criteria’s listed below:
Smart People
Smart Ideas
Smart Money
Smart Alliances and Partnerships
Within the field of preventive medicine for better health result we should come up with new and different Innovation methods.
How would you incorporate these facts in promoting health in disadvantage pockets of our society and developing countries?

Having Clean Water is Everyone's Right

This week’s topic pin pointed one of the major challenges that many countries are dealing with. Approximately more than 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation facilities and over one billion people still use unsafe drinking water sources.
Women and Children are denied their right to education because they are busy fetching water!!!
All of us have seen videos like the assigned ones for last week; pipes funnel through loads of human’s dirt and the poor down the way drinking from these filthy channels.
As a result, thousands of children die every day from diarrhea and other water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases and many more suffer and are weakened by illness.
Poor farmers and wage earners are less productive due to illness, and national economies suffer. Without safe water and sanitation, sustainable development is impossible.
According to UNICEF report on water, sanitation and environment:
Meeting the MDG targets on water and sanitation would cost approximately an additional US$11.3 billion each year. A cost-benefit analysis undertaken by the World Health Organization found that every $1 invested in achieving the Millennium Development targets on water and sanitation would yield returns between $3-$34 depending on the region.
Since we know this issue is relevant in growing countries, what ideas would you offer to minimize the cost and maximize the outcome for cleaning water? Whose responsibility is this issue?

Mind, Behavior, Life,....

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox


During last week’s topic, Mind, Behaviour and Global Health, we covered many interesting aspects of this broad and important theme.
Last Thursday Dr. Shahi’s lecture refreshed my memory on psychology tactics. Of course, the readings and video clips were a great introduction toward the big picture and concept of the day.

Probably most of us have known people whom we thought were not normal, and often we have called them “ABNORMAL.”
I want to share something with you, which I found eye opening in regard to society that we in!
National Institute of Mental Health conducted a nationwide survey of over 20,000 individuals, in which over 20% of the adults interviewed had at least one psychiatric disorder during the past six months. The most common mental illnesses were found to be:

1. Anxiety disorders (10-12% of the population)
2. Alcohol and drug abuse (6-7%),
3. Affective disorders (5-6%)
4. Schizophrenia, (1%) and antisocial personality (1%)

In this study men and women were found to have an equal chance of developing a mental disorder while women suffered proportionately more from depression and men from antisocial personality.

Multiple studies have shown that all of us have a one in three chance of developing a mental illness in our lifetime. I can imagine that this number will be increasing in the next decades by growth of technology, industry, hectic life style, traffic, air pollution and etc. This issue will be one of the main challenges for society to deal with in the near future and depressive, antisocial people do not communicate well with others, which is of critical importance for a useful life.

I believe one way to help individuals in developing good mental health is to show them how wonderful life is, motivate them to get out and meet other people, have a hobby and/or a goal for the future, so they can approach life with a positive attitude! I want you to check out the website below and see what are the 10 keys to a happy life! http://iranscope.ghandchi.com/Fun/Secrets/index.htm

I am open to other thoughts you have on attaining and promoting good mental health and subsequent behavior!

Nutrition Talk

I must say the last week’s topic is one of my favorite subject matter in public health.
Growing up, while visiting my native country of Iran, there were times that my parents would take me to the villages around town and have me feed young children lived in rural area.
I saw them crying, smiling, thanking us and praying to God for the food that we had taken them. It was a really difficult and sad time as a child to experience.
As I grew older I could understand why back then, by the war that was going on between Iran and Iraq, people where facing poverty and shortage but as time went by I realized there are many other places in the world that are dealing with the issue of dearth and malnutrition.
I always thought that I have seen the worse in my life but I was wrong!
According to the case study the world has substantial amounts of food but why should 1.1 billion people are still living in entity poverty with less than a $1 a day? Why should 1 out of 8 child be severely malnourished in the world?
We are living in the 21st century with much improved technology, Internet, enhanced medications, prevention, and different communication techniques. Why should we still deal with the matter!
I strongly believe we should all come up with a revolutionary plan to over come this long lasting challenge that many countries are still struggling with! Our world should be filled with kids that are on my blog’s site not the ones that I presented you while my presentation.
So as a soon to be a Global & Leadership Public Health Professional what is/are the initial steps that you would recommend to take in order to better the life of our own kind?
I would appreciate if you share your thoughts!

Individual Oral Presentation

Hi Everyone:

I tried to post my Individual Oral Presentation power point slides on blackboard but I am getting Internal Server Error Message. I will try to post them later tonight. If you would like to take a look at them earlier please email me at lmoghada@usc.edu and I will gladly send you a copy.

Have a good day

See you Tomorrow ☺

Non-Communicable Disease

“Diabetes epidemic”
Research has shown that if individuals maintain healthy living by consuming high amount of vegetables, low carbohydrate diet and exercise regularly they can preserve healthy life style.
As we saw in assigned video clip a patient with type II diabetes, insulin dependent, for 20 years can alter his/her being by changing the routine of his life to non-insulin dependent. So it is possible and there are chances in every case for complete recovery from a non-this communicable disease. Motivating fact!

The video on “A program to raise awareness in preventing chronic disease among minorities in Oregon” demonstrated that there is a considerable amount of information that is being exchanged at beauty salons daily. This method can be a great way of broadening prevention lessons between people in the society. I think we should learn from this scheme and come up with plans to educate beauticians. Have them to talk to their costumers about fitness, latest beauty tips that involves health messages and encourage them to exercise routinely.

About 33,484 million people, which makes it (59.8%), in U.S suffer from non-communicable diseases. Heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity are the silent epidemic in America.

I believe we should work on numbers and try to set up a goal and do our best to decrease these statistics. To fight infectious disease and global concerns we should exercise leadership intensively and have “political will,” because political will provides us with renewable resources. Working together as a public health professional in an extensive network and using the right marketing mode will help us to achieve this goal.
As leaders we should move to the growing direction and create a lot of health and wealth for motherland. Hope for better, happy, and world of free from non-communicable disease!

Communicable Diseases & Global Health

“An infectious disease is a clinically evident disease of humans or animals that damages or injures the host so as to impair host function, and results from the presence and activity of one or more pathogenic microbial agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi. Transmission of an infectious disease may occur through several pathways; including through contact with infected individuals, by water, food, airborne inhalation, or through vector-borne spread.” Wikipedia

Out of the readings, and videos, the AIDS orphan video touched my heart thoroughly. Wow every 14 seconds a child orphans in the world!
What does this mean? HOW FAR BEHIND ARE WE? WITH SO MANY EDUATED PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM and SO MANY NATURAL RESOURCES AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY…. THE STATISTICS AND NEWS REPORTS ARE VERY DISAPPOINTING. As I view this inhumane display of disparity due to color, I am shocked and very saddened.

I have been in search of a useful/short video in regard to infectious disease. I think this topic can best be understood visually rather than verbally or anything else. I really liked the TED video that explained different stages of small pox with dazzling pictures. It is amazing what a tiny bacteria can do to the whole body, not to mention leaving abominable marks.
So now as a “soon to be a Global Public Health Professional” I need your feed back and innovating ideas!!!
What methods would you recommend in order to prevent a pandemic infectious disease from spreading from one person to another or from this side of the world to the other?




Below I am including an idea that I got by watching the TED video:
In that video clip, Larry Brilliant mentioned that taking a program which has shown success within a community and scaling it up to the country’s unique situation is good progress.
I think this is an excellent primary strategy for implementing a program within a large population, and some past experiences have shown that this method has worked well.
Targeting, cultivating religious leaders and the elderly to disseminate information are also effective in the long run, especially in rural areas where public health needs are common.
As I have mentioned before, we all MUST work together as a team and be in touch with each other, no matter where we are located. We should motivate and empower each other by remembering and reminding ourselves that we do have the knowledge and skills we need to make a difference in the world. Hope to have a disease Free World one day.
Please let me know your thoughts!

Data/ Statistics/ Globalization

As every lecture goes by I get to think about the concept of “ emerging trends in global health” more deeply. Various points that are being brought up seems very interesting and motivating. One appealing method that is being used are the statistics and graphs that I am faced with in this class, which I have never heard or seen before. These numbers make me think deeply about who we are, how blessed we are, where we are coming from and probably why America/ Americans are hated in 3rd world countries. The fact that the whole global economic picture in 2002 consisted of about 33 trillion $ and more than 10 trillion located in US for less than 5% of world population; America’s business involves a staggering figure when compared to the rest of the world. I sometimes wish that I had more time to go over more data /statistics of underprivileged countries and be able to do research on the big issue of health/economic disparities.
I believe the world’s economic/health situation is so immersed in inequities that it will take accountants, economists, educators, public health professionals, policy makers, etc., many years to come up with a decent peaceful world with less inequalities.
As public health professionals, we should work together to eradicate inequities in health services. Globalization has worked in many instances to create greater inequalities between the rich and poor in many developing nations. Since globalization is inevitable, we need to change this effect by being better stewards of the earth and working toward a more equal distribution of the earth’s resources.

As I work on my paper topic, I am shocked to learn of the urgent need to mitigate the effects of global warming and the lack of initiative that the Bush administration has shown to do anything about it. Maybe with the changes in Congress, we will be able to join the rest of the world in stopping this horrendous threat. If nothing is done to alleviate it, the literature claims that it will be worse than a nuclear attack or even a terrorist attack. Because the U.S. is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases that drive global warming, we have an ethical and moral duty to be the leader in working toward solutions for alternative fuels and for investing in clean technology that will clean up the planet.

Awarness for everybody is needed

MDG’s primary goal indicates that we should first “eradicate the extreme hunger and poverty in the world.” I believe the expansion of infectious diseases and slow economic growth in some developing countries, such as South African nations, rises from severe poverty. I was amazed with MDG data and information in regard to the number of famished children. We are living in 21 century and there should not be 1.2 billion kids that are living on a budget of $1.00 or less everyday. These statistics inform us with a vast existence disparity between individuals.
I have lived in a 3rd world country and I always thought that I have seen the worse of life, but after starting my MPH program at USC I have learned that I absolutely knew nothing in regard to poverty, hunger, health and gender inequality. I noticed this matter in video “TEDSTALK” that Swedish students also did not have any idea about the international health.
I think so many people have a lack of good knowledge about the heath, gender, educational and financial disparity in developing and 3rd world countries.
I believe we should involve our, families, friends, classmates and work together as a global community. The key to success is to provide proper education to people in higher level of the society, let them know what are the health, life issues that are going on in different part of the world, therefore, develop an international partnership from west to east, north to south. I am sure if we all put our efforts, the world will definitely be a better place for everyone to live.

Global Health and Emerging Trends

As a second semester master student at USC I am very exited to be enroll in such a high Tec course and I am looking forward to learn about current international health challenges and future possible improvements.
First of all I need to thank Dr. Shahi in walking me through my electronic problems, from setting up my blog to having a mac laptop. To be honest I have been lost with setting up my blog content and I hope that this time I am doing the right thing ☺
Anyhow I think if I have made one good decision in my life, is I applying to MPH at USC. Since starting this program I have learned so much about myself and I now I am positive that “I love to help people out to better their life.”
I would love to become a doctor one day and be able to apply the skills & knowledge that I learned from public health as well as Professional school in the real life.
I consider that there are three category of people in the world: 1. Sick 2. Normal 3. Healthy
My aim is to work with the sick and try to better their life toward the normal direction. Make an effort to motivate the normal to progress to healthy path and maintain the healthy individual to stay enthusiastic for their wellbeing.
At the end I believe that health is every human being’s right in any culture, ethnicity and level of the society. By new well trained universal health professionals and group activity, I am hopping, that we will be eradicating some infectious & pandemic disease in this wide world in the new future.
I would like to hear your comment and very exited to be your classmate for next 15 weeks of school