The Talk

I have actually had The Talk with my teenagers a few years ago at age 12. At that time I did not really have a written agenda to go over with them. I began the conversation by asking them what they knew about sex. Of course, it was followed my moans from them. However, as the conversation built we chipped away at a few at key points and our primary views as parents on sex. They sat and listened and really did not ask too many questions at that point. We don’t have an annual meeting time, but every so often we will see an article or a something on television that will spark a conversation and try to keep our talks light, but pretty detailed. I cannot count how many times we have gone over HPV statistics and genital wart images from my health books and Google. As a parent they know that I talk openly, but it is a constant effort to get them to do the same.

Health class is no longer a required elective in Texas schools

How can we encourage adolescents to follow healthy behaviors? Any ideas for parents, healthcare providers, health educators, media, society, etc


Being a Health Studies major I was floored when I learned that Health was no longer a state requirement to graduate high school. State officials decided to increase the number of electives from 3.5 to 6 courses, and allow students the choice of studying other areas. As a high school student I am sure I would not have taken Health class if I was offered a choice. It is still the ultimate decision of the individual school districts if they will offer health classes. For most children this class is the only open communication line regarding sexual education and making healthy nutrition and exercise choices. Ideally health education should start in the home, but as a reality many parents are not educated themselves to offer advise to their children. I think that everyone should encourage their child to choose Health as an elective and still supplement what is being taught by the schools with your own beliefs and experiences.

Healthcare in America

What are your feelings about the present state of health care in the US?

The present state of health care in the US is a dismal one. From personal experience of being part of the insured and uninsured groups. When I worked for a very large mortgage company, as a regular hourly employee I paid nearly 500.00 per month to insure my family. While higher level executives were offered totally different plans at LOWER costs as part of their benefits packages. HUH?!?!? The same company boasted about its earnings and multi-million dollar bonuses paid to its CEO. I am sure many can relate to similar situations across the nation and often choose not to accept so called "company sponsored" health insurance. In the present state of health care there is a vicious circle of too rich for state coverage and too poor to afford insurance through employers. Our President seems to have a good foundation for universal health care, but once it is in place I am certain there will be many revisions needed over the upcoming years.

Interviews on womens health

What health issues you are most concerned about? Why? Interview 2-3 women (different ages, ethnicities and/or cultures if possible) and ask them the same question. Are your concerns similar or different? Explain

Heart disease concerns me the most in regards to my own health. I have an extensive paternal and maternal family history of heart disease. Most deaths that have occured were either massive heart attacks that led to death or dibilitating strokes. I personally have altered my eating habits as well as my family's. I also make an effort to exercise regularly and check in with my family physician.

I interviewed two women that live in the same household, both of them are overweight, over 40 years of age, and sisters. Their concerns varied from breast cancer due to family history as well as diabetes due to their weight. Neither women were actively altering any lifestyle changes and seemed at a loss for information on what they could do regarding the concern of diabetes. Both knew that diet changes were necessary to improve their weight, but "It's too hard to change how i have eaten this many years." I offered a couple of websites that offer meal plans and shopping lists. I will follow up with them to see if that information helped any.

Our concerns were different based on family history. However, the concern of heart disease should be a concern of my participants. I also informed them that according to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women followed by cancer.