I have to start out by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of taking H312this term. I have learned so much about the variety of health topics that was covered all through the class as well as understand how important and vital health education the the public really is, even about such talk as SEX in public or in a classroom.
One of the major highlights that I beleive that I will walk away from the class glad that I learned was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. I had never even heard of it before taking this class. It is hard to beleive that the experiments that occured as well as the amount of time this evil experiment happend for!!!! I have also found how important for students and citizens for that matter to be infomred on a regular basis about the variety of health matters that are present. The United States lives in a nut-shell at time, seeing that it is not uncommon for people to engage in risky behavior but have the mindset that
Its kind of a funny, but wierd thing all at the same time. Since taking this class, I will walk around campus as a young college student that I am and will notice certain health problems/promotions that I have learned about in class. For example, down at the Health Services office, there is a basket that is full of condoms, which is a basic form of health promotion.
If I could change one thing, it would be a tie between one special speakers come into class and and share what it is like living with a certain virus (ex: HIV/AIDS - BOB and TB?, Syphilis?) and putting an actual condom on an actual bannana!!! Other than that, I honestly thought the class was awsome!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Bob Skinner
One thing that I did learn from listening to Bob’s testimony about living with AIDS is that it is a very expensive virus to deal with. Through his life, Bob has found ways to make ends meet to help not only pay for the antibiotics and medicine needed to fight and sustain the virus, but also to try and have money to live off of. However, I am thoroughly disappointed that Bob didn’t really discuss how it is living with AIDS, but rather it seemed very informal on his part, and more like a basic health class.
I thought that Bob’s experience is similar in many ways to other people around the world on the basis that he is a man that did contract the HIV virus from homosexual risky behavior. However, after listening to what he had to say, it seemed as though being infected never really bothered him since he was happy participating in all the risky behavior that he didn’t really care what happened latter on. Even now, he is very open to how hard it is to live with the virus, but I got the feeling that it didn’t really change his very on risky behavior.
I think to state the obvious is that in Bob’s situation, he is a very lucky man. He has the privilege and access to immediate health care that the United States has available that a good portion of other countries on a global scale struggle to make ends meet. Bob stressed on the fact that here in the United States he has the ability to work with the government to educate the public on a wide variety of topics, one including options to help pay for the expensive costs for the medicine and antibiotics needed for proper treatment. However, this is a huge privilege seeing that in some countries is actually very rare to have a person that is educated about such health topics, let alone programs that are installed and ready to go in the country to help with pricy costs, like in the United States.
Bob had mentioned that in majority of HIV/AIDS patients are heterosexual. He went on to say that condom use is not taught in rural places as commonly as in the city. Social inequality comes into play as women do not have the same status as a man does in aspects of condom use, which makes sense in the spread of HIV. Also, education of such health topics is not as common as in the city. In the city, citizens have access to things such as newspapers, internet, television and other helpful resources that lend a helping hand with informing the public; not always present in urban communities.
I thought that Bob’s experience is similar in many ways to other people around the world on the basis that he is a man that did contract the HIV virus from homosexual risky behavior. However, after listening to what he had to say, it seemed as though being infected never really bothered him since he was happy participating in all the risky behavior that he didn’t really care what happened latter on. Even now, he is very open to how hard it is to live with the virus, but I got the feeling that it didn’t really change his very on risky behavior.
I think to state the obvious is that in Bob’s situation, he is a very lucky man. He has the privilege and access to immediate health care that the United States has available that a good portion of other countries on a global scale struggle to make ends meet. Bob stressed on the fact that here in the United States he has the ability to work with the government to educate the public on a wide variety of topics, one including options to help pay for the expensive costs for the medicine and antibiotics needed for proper treatment. However, this is a huge privilege seeing that in some countries is actually very rare to have a person that is educated about such health topics, let alone programs that are installed and ready to go in the country to help with pricy costs, like in the United States.
Bob had mentioned that in majority of HIV/AIDS patients are heterosexual. He went on to say that condom use is not taught in rural places as commonly as in the city. Social inequality comes into play as women do not have the same status as a man does in aspects of condom use, which makes sense in the spread of HIV. Also, education of such health topics is not as common as in the city. In the city, citizens have access to things such as newspapers, internet, television and other helpful resources that lend a helping hand with informing the public; not always present in urban communities.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
HIV Theory's
I decided to compare The 'Hunter' Theory to The contamination Needle Theory. I foud that reading through both theories, that I could see how both were plausible to the spread of HIV-1.
The 'Hunter' Theory proposed that actual hunters were infected by the SIV virus from chimps blood/meat. The infection came from hunters accidently cutting themselves with the knives and the chimps blood getting into the wound, as well as just eating the chimps meats. I found that this is a very pluasable cause simply becuase the hunters were in direct contact with not ony the meat of the chimps, but also with the blood. This was a good example of direct contact infection. Also, the SFV virus was comparable to the SIV due to the thoughts that only this virus only infected primates. It also could be compared to the transmition of the virus by the buthcering of chimps.
The contamination Needle Theory was a theory that was based off the sharing of syringes. This theory has a direct coorilation to the Hunters Theory due to the fact that if an infected "hunter" were to possibly share a needle of some sort, that would automatically transmitt the virus to the next patient and so on. In the
1950's, disposable plastic syringes around the world were reported to be very cheap. However, in places such places as Africa, where this would be very costly, espicially due to the population mass. So, the sharing of needles was a very common procedure. The spread of HIV-1 became a very easily transmitted virus.
Both Theories argue very strong points as well coorilating together. Lets say a hunter cuts himself while cutting the meet off a chimp; blood from the chimp enters the hunters cut and infects him. Later on, the hunter is needing to get and infection of some sort at a doctors office. After getting injected the hunter goes his way, leaving his footsteps of transmitting the HIV-1 to the next patient and so on. It makes total sense.
The 'Hunter' Theory proposed that actual hunters were infected by the SIV virus from chimps blood/meat. The infection came from hunters accidently cutting themselves with the knives and the chimps blood getting into the wound, as well as just eating the chimps meats. I found that this is a very pluasable cause simply becuase the hunters were in direct contact with not ony the meat of the chimps, but also with the blood. This was a good example of direct contact infection. Also, the SFV virus was comparable to the SIV due to the thoughts that only this virus only infected primates. It also could be compared to the transmition of the virus by the buthcering of chimps.
The contamination Needle Theory was a theory that was based off the sharing of syringes. This theory has a direct coorilation to the Hunters Theory due to the fact that if an infected "hunter" were to possibly share a needle of some sort, that would automatically transmitt the virus to the next patient and so on. In the
1950's, disposable plastic syringes around the world were reported to be very cheap. However, in places such places as Africa, where this would be very costly, espicially due to the population mass. So, the sharing of needles was a very common procedure. The spread of HIV-1 became a very easily transmitted virus.
Both Theories argue very strong points as well coorilating together. Lets say a hunter cuts himself while cutting the meet off a chimp; blood from the chimp enters the hunters cut and infects him. Later on, the hunter is needing to get and infection of some sort at a doctors office. After getting injected the hunter goes his way, leaving his footsteps of transmitting the HIV-1 to the next patient and so on. It makes total sense.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Peggy McIntosh is the current director of the Wesley Collage Center for Research on Women. In her article, “White Privilege and Male Privilege:” is a very interesting article. Within the article, Peggy reflects her opinion on topics such as white people (mainly white men) are not faced with racism as a threat, but rather is seen as the “socially accepted” lifestyle. She gave 25 main reasons why she believed that whites in general are at a much higher status in reflection to social acceptance that other races have to try and meet on a daily basis. Peggy also started the article out by describing how white men do not face racism/sexism as white women do. She continued to give her opinion on why she thinks his happens on a regular basis as well as why there is sexism still prevalent in today’s society.
One of Peggy’s colleagues Elizabeth Minnich gave a firm stance on her thoughts of an unfairly advantaged person when she expressed that… “Whites are taught to think that their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average, and also ideal…this is seen as work which will allow them to be more like us” .I agree with this opinion on several different levels. I agree with Elizabeth on that the White race is seen as the most widely accepted race throughout the United States. I understand see on a regular basis that other people with different ethnic backgrounds are totally living in a society that try’s and suppresses the individual to become “Americanized” if they wish to be fully socially accepted.
When trying to relate this dominance of White power issue to the spread and treatment of HIV/AIDS issue, I find how it can truly correlates with racism, and sexism. One example that comes to mind is if an individual that is clearly not of White skin comes into the doctor’s office to get treated for HIV, but is turned away for no apparent reason. Could this be an example of racism, or even sexism? My question is why should the color of a person skin reflect how much “respect” they are shown? If as a nation we are to continue with “White Privilege” according to Preggy, in my opinion, we are only setting ourselves up for failure. The United States has a reputation of “open arms” stance to diversity in general. Whether that be by race, religion, or whatever the issue.
I don’t agree with Peggy on her opinion on how she believes racism and sexism all can be the “White Privilege” fault. I think that skin color may have an effect, but rather it has to do with the unstable acceptance s of various walks of life that the United States has chosen to accept in previous years. It is one thing to be a culture that accepts diversity, but another that accepts diversity as long as other ethnic backgrounds will be “Americanized”. That is messed up.
One of Peggy’s colleagues Elizabeth Minnich gave a firm stance on her thoughts of an unfairly advantaged person when she expressed that… “Whites are taught to think that their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average, and also ideal…this is seen as work which will allow them to be more like us” .I agree with this opinion on several different levels. I agree with Elizabeth on that the White race is seen as the most widely accepted race throughout the United States. I understand see on a regular basis that other people with different ethnic backgrounds are totally living in a society that try’s and suppresses the individual to become “Americanized” if they wish to be fully socially accepted.
When trying to relate this dominance of White power issue to the spread and treatment of HIV/AIDS issue, I find how it can truly correlates with racism, and sexism. One example that comes to mind is if an individual that is clearly not of White skin comes into the doctor’s office to get treated for HIV, but is turned away for no apparent reason. Could this be an example of racism, or even sexism? My question is why should the color of a person skin reflect how much “respect” they are shown? If as a nation we are to continue with “White Privilege” according to Preggy, in my opinion, we are only setting ourselves up for failure. The United States has a reputation of “open arms” stance to diversity in general. Whether that be by race, religion, or whatever the issue.
I don’t agree with Peggy on her opinion on how she believes racism and sexism all can be the “White Privilege” fault. I think that skin color may have an effect, but rather it has to do with the unstable acceptance s of various walks of life that the United States has chosen to accept in previous years. It is one thing to be a culture that accepts diversity, but another that accepts diversity as long as other ethnic backgrounds will be “Americanized”. That is messed up.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Knowledge of HIV / AIDS
To be honest, I have a pretty basic understanding of what exactly HIV / AIDS are. Well, I know that "Aids" stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and "HIV" stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. I understand that when a person gets HIV, it is first a virus, which eventuallydevelops into Aids disease. There is no cure for Aids, only medications to help ease the pain and deal with some of the many side affects that occurs when one has the infection. HIV can be contracted by any bodily fluids being exchanged whether it be by vaginal or oral sex or from mother-to-child or an open wound/ blood, HIV is a very seriuos issue that needs to be taken more serious within the United States. AIDS is the developing factor that comes from later stages of HIV. Aids is a disease that attacks the human body's immune system as well as pretty much damaging the entire body's organs along the way.
Through a number of health classes and by reading articles and hearing what the news reported on HIV/AIDS related topics, I have been able to grasp the basics of this popular world-wide infection. I personally would like to know more about the number of health organizations that are working towards not only finding a cure for the infections, but also what steps have been taken to aid the worldly pandemic. I would like to find out an apporixament number of how much it would cost to bring vaccines and medications to infected countries globally. In reference to the video "Timeline", I was amazed to see how fast the spread of HIV/AIDS really are. Also, one thing that really made me mad was when I heard that women in a number of countries have no rights or identity. Due to their lack of identity, they were forbiden to ask thier husbands to use a condom or some sort of barrier that would help not transmitt the disease. I was also amazed on how much of a stigma there is about a person being infected with HIV/AIDS in some countries compared to others that it was nothing more than a way of life.
The education of prevention towards the trasnmission of HIV/AIDS are still in dire need in order cut down on the massive infected numbers. Another factor that is important is even though there is education being taught about prevention options, I think it depends of the culture that it is being taught to. Within the culture, the information could be used or not used simply on the basis of beleifs.
Both videos I would like to watch again simply becuase it is so interesting. There is so much that has been done in history to find a cure for this disease, but at the same time it we are so far from finding a cure. Even if a cure was found, how long would it take to make sure all countries were treated? but how much vaccine would it take to treat the world?
Through a number of health classes and by reading articles and hearing what the news reported on HIV/AIDS related topics, I have been able to grasp the basics of this popular world-wide infection. I personally would like to know more about the number of health organizations that are working towards not only finding a cure for the infections, but also what steps have been taken to aid the worldly pandemic. I would like to find out an apporixament number of how much it would cost to bring vaccines and medications to infected countries globally. In reference to the video "Timeline", I was amazed to see how fast the spread of HIV/AIDS really are. Also, one thing that really made me mad was when I heard that women in a number of countries have no rights or identity. Due to their lack of identity, they were forbiden to ask thier husbands to use a condom or some sort of barrier that would help not transmitt the disease. I was also amazed on how much of a stigma there is about a person being infected with HIV/AIDS in some countries compared to others that it was nothing more than a way of life.
The education of prevention towards the trasnmission of HIV/AIDS are still in dire need in order cut down on the massive infected numbers. Another factor that is important is even though there is education being taught about prevention options, I think it depends of the culture that it is being taught to. Within the culture, the information could be used or not used simply on the basis of beleifs.
Both videos I would like to watch again simply becuase it is so interesting. There is so much that has been done in history to find a cure for this disease, but at the same time it we are so far from finding a cure. Even if a cure was found, how long would it take to make sure all countries were treated? but how much vaccine would it take to treat the world?
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Global Disparity
Global disparity has a whole, has many key factors that help contribute to the vast amount of distress found all over the world. However, classism is what I believe to be the first and most important leading factor to why there is so much inequality around the world. As discussed in class, classism is a classic example of filtering out which nations have more money, then taking a glimpse of how much money is put into that particular countries health care system. Statistics show that the wealthier nations (U.K.; U.S.A) pour more money into their health care programs to try and protect against all the vast amounts of disease found throughout the world. Which that is a great thing for a nation that has the opportunity to thrive in a system that offers a somewhat solid program to at least try and keep its citizens in a healthier and safer state. However, what then happens to those countries (Sub-Saharan Africa; S.E. Asia) that do not have the money needed to help with their health issues. This is an example of where the prevalence of STI’s becomes a huge issue. It is simple to understand: The more money a country has, lower the STI levels are due to the better chance of being exposed to a better health care system of some kind. One the other hand, the less money one country has, the higher STI’s are found within the country due to the major factor of a poor health system, if any health care system. Sadly in this situation and serious topic of STI’s, money talks and statistics prove it.
In the United States, we as American citizens are blessed with the many opportunities of access to health care. However, Americans still need to remember to take the extra precautions to not only stay infection free, but to stop the spread of various STI’s by being educated on what methods are safer than others in one is to engage in sexual activity. I find it very hard to understand how certain individuals will have the mentality of not caring what types of STI/STD’s are out in the world simply because of the mentality of ,” well, its ok, I will get a really good doctor and they will fix me.” That is a very uneducated as well as unintelligent person who thinks in this manner simply because they don’t see the importance of how serious STI’s are, but the as well as how common they are throughout the world.
In the United States, we as American citizens are blessed with the many opportunities of access to health care. However, Americans still need to remember to take the extra precautions to not only stay infection free, but to stop the spread of various STI’s by being educated on what methods are safer than others in one is to engage in sexual activity. I find it very hard to understand how certain individuals will have the mentality of not caring what types of STI/STD’s are out in the world simply because of the mentality of ,” well, its ok, I will get a really good doctor and they will fix me.” That is a very uneducated as well as unintelligent person who thinks in this manner simply because they don’t see the importance of how serious STI’s are, but the as well as how common they are throughout the world.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
HIV Status?
This HIV ad is simple and to the point. I think it is could be an effective ad especially in this techknowledge driven society. To be able to use text messaging to be able to find a place to get checked out either find out if someone is HIV positive or to be directed to a place for proper treatment for infection is vital and critical in preventing the spread of the virus. The ad is open to all ages to participate in as well as a very safe and confidential way to promote awareness a way for those interested in getting tested, to do it in a manner that is private and restricted from others. I personally think that this ad is great to spread the awareness of HIV as well as fundamentally clever in the aspects of how it targets such a large population that has cell phones and text messaging.
HIV is a very serious issue, especially with majority of infections having the options and resources to get rid of the virus as well as reduce chances of spreading the infection. The ad shown above is a great outlet to learn more about HIV testing centers listed by area code without the hassle of embarrassment of going into a public place and asking for this type of information since in many ways there are stigma’s towards HIV and AIDS positive individuals.
I think it is critical for promotions such as this ad and within the media to continue to grow in awareness by educating the public about not only what exactly HIV and STI's are but also about ways how to get treated and decrease the numbers of indoviduals being exposed to such viruses.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Tuskegee Study
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study that was ran by the U.S. Public Health Services. It was based in the small poor county of Mecon County, Alabama. It was a county that had majority of its small population African American residents who also had a high percentage of the citizens infected with Syphilis. With the deception of the doctors and the Public Health Services, hundreds of citizens were betrayed and decived into beleiving that not only were they being given free health care to help cure their infections or also known as "Bad Blood", but the simple participants in a terrible study to see what the affects of Syphilis could do to the human body. Even in 1947 when penecilin came ino the market as the killer medicine of Syphilis, doctors purposefully in Mecon County refused to give it to thier patients as well as inform them of the drug. Malpractices were also done on many different accounts and levels as participants were told that they were part of the study.
As the origonal 6 month timeline for the study turned into an astounding and unmonitored 40 years, docotrs of the Tuskegee Study did nothing but watch men and their families suffer with the disease.
On May 16th, 1997, President Clinton stood at the podium and acknowledged the eight survivors and or the families members present of the tragic Tuskegee Study as well as apologize for the United States Public Health Services that made it drag on for 40 years. President Clinton made a point in stating that even though it may be hard for some to want to remember what had happend during the study, but that we as a nation would not forget at the same time. It was a prime exampe how our nation failed to meet the citizens needs by breaking the trusts fo the participants. President Clinton would go on to say the steps that was going to be taken to ensure to the survivors and the famelies of those who were part of the study, that this would not happen again. He gave a total of five well-thoughout steps/ promises that would be a solid foundation to the direction of the governments actions towards not only monitoring but to install programs that would follow through with his promises.
I personally think that the study is an embarresment to the United States. The study overall was cruel and wrong. I cannot not even begin to imagine the amount pain that the participants went through just for a rediculous study. When the Public Health Services doctors and staff were trained to help others, instead they sat back and watch as people suffered. I am very irritated that the doctors that were involved in the study were not charged with anything by acting out this crime. President Clinton I believe did the right thing in obviously apologizing for the in-excusable behavior shown by the Public Health Services. It was a long time apoplogy that was way overdue. I agree that the steps and programs presented was a step in the right direction in bringing this heavy burden to an end, but never forgotten.
As the origonal 6 month timeline for the study turned into an astounding and unmonitored 40 years, docotrs of the Tuskegee Study did nothing but watch men and their families suffer with the disease.
On May 16th, 1997, President Clinton stood at the podium and acknowledged the eight survivors and or the families members present of the tragic Tuskegee Study as well as apologize for the United States Public Health Services that made it drag on for 40 years. President Clinton made a point in stating that even though it may be hard for some to want to remember what had happend during the study, but that we as a nation would not forget at the same time. It was a prime exampe how our nation failed to meet the citizens needs by breaking the trusts fo the participants. President Clinton would go on to say the steps that was going to be taken to ensure to the survivors and the famelies of those who were part of the study, that this would not happen again. He gave a total of five well-thoughout steps/ promises that would be a solid foundation to the direction of the governments actions towards not only monitoring but to install programs that would follow through with his promises.
I personally think that the study is an embarresment to the United States. The study overall was cruel and wrong. I cannot not even begin to imagine the amount pain that the participants went through just for a rediculous study. When the Public Health Services doctors and staff were trained to help others, instead they sat back and watch as people suffered. I am very irritated that the doctors that were involved in the study were not charged with anything by acting out this crime. President Clinton I believe did the right thing in obviously apologizing for the in-excusable behavior shown by the Public Health Services. It was a long time apoplogy that was way overdue. I agree that the steps and programs presented was a step in the right direction in bringing this heavy burden to an end, but never forgotten.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Small Pox
How do Public Health and Bioterrorism relate?
After reading through this article having to do with the sufferings that have occurd do to the seriuosness of the small pox virus, I was able to understand that not only was small pox a very seriuos and deadly virus, but that it has been used purposifully to kill off victoms as well as producing the virus as a chemical warfare weapon. In some regoins of the world, for example, third world countries, have a hard enough time surviving with the amount of clean food and water provided much of the time from outside help organizations. A deadly virus such as small pox could be especially painful since it would be hard to reach some of the regions infected of these countries with medicine to treat the virus in hopes to stop the spread and cure the victoms infected. Public Health and Bioterrorsim play hand-in-hand in the aspects of the possible threats that could be done by Bioterrorsim and the non-stop efforts of the Public Health system to provide their citizens with the healthiest environment possible. History in general has a way of repeating itself. And on the topic of bioterrorsim vs. public health, it speaks loud and clear.
I believe there should be a blance between efforts towards fundaing and providing proper health care to ensure that citizens around the world are given the coorect amount of medicine and vaccines needed as well as continue to push hard towards making sure that bioterrorism acts do not go unnoticed by taking the steps needed to provide future generations with a much more stable and secure wolrd to live in . I also believe that there needs to be a push towards producing vaccines in general so that we could store a certain amount while sending the rest to countries that need medicine. However, it is easier said than done since even if we were able to produce mass amount of vaccines, sadly, I am not sure if we could be able to store any since there is so much need for medice around the world.
French and Indian War
The first well-recorded incident of the small pox virus being used in such a manor was in the French and Indian War. Sir Jeffrey Amhurst, who happened to be the commander of the British forces, had been defeated in attempt to take over Fort Carillon. The commander quickly became freinds with a group of indians that felt sorry for the British forces. However, Sir Jeffrey Amhurst purposly gave his new and so-called freinds blankets. The indians did not know that the new blankets that had been given to them were covered with small pox from previous victoms that had used the blankets. The wicked general watched as the indians began to suffer from the deadly virus and decided to attack in hopes of taking over the fort. After gaining victory of Fort Carillon, Sir Jeffrey renamed the fort, Fort Ticonderoga. (Which after doing some researching, I was able to find out that Fort Ticonderoga was origonally battle in which American revolutionary troops captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775.)
Siege of Quebec
It was a devistating period for George Washington and his troops as a good unumber of Goerge Washingtons troops suffered from the small pox virus. It had taken quite a toll on his troops untill Goerge Washington required that all new troops be treated for small pox being seeing active duty.
Soviet Program
The soviets first began working with small pox embryonic chicken eggs. To give a breif background, eggs do not have much inside "materials" inside them. However, the Soviets began to gather an substantial amount of eggs untill they were able to produce over 100 tons of dried agents. As the soviets technology increased in the 1990's, they began using a new agent called tissue culture to continue to produce mass amount of the small pox virus.
I find it so amazing to see how history shows the steps taken into either spreading or producing the small pox virus. It is hard to comprehend the reasoning behind why human beings would do such a thing to harm one another as shown. In today's public health mind set, small pox is still a very serious issue. Even though scientist have found a cure for it; if it were to be used as a biological weapon and were to hit a major city for example, the spread of small pox could easily out-number the amount of medicine needed to help control the deadly virus. The public health system will continue to have their hands full with not only dealing with the current drouts of clean food, water, and medicine to much needed areas throughout the world but as well as handle the situation of bioterrorism.
After reading through this article having to do with the sufferings that have occurd do to the seriuosness of the small pox virus, I was able to understand that not only was small pox a very seriuos and deadly virus, but that it has been used purposifully to kill off victoms as well as producing the virus as a chemical warfare weapon. In some regoins of the world, for example, third world countries, have a hard enough time surviving with the amount of clean food and water provided much of the time from outside help organizations. A deadly virus such as small pox could be especially painful since it would be hard to reach some of the regions infected of these countries with medicine to treat the virus in hopes to stop the spread and cure the victoms infected. Public Health and Bioterrorsim play hand-in-hand in the aspects of the possible threats that could be done by Bioterrorsim and the non-stop efforts of the Public Health system to provide their citizens with the healthiest environment possible. History in general has a way of repeating itself. And on the topic of bioterrorsim vs. public health, it speaks loud and clear.
I believe there should be a blance between efforts towards fundaing and providing proper health care to ensure that citizens around the world are given the coorect amount of medicine and vaccines needed as well as continue to push hard towards making sure that bioterrorism acts do not go unnoticed by taking the steps needed to provide future generations with a much more stable and secure wolrd to live in . I also believe that there needs to be a push towards producing vaccines in general so that we could store a certain amount while sending the rest to countries that need medicine. However, it is easier said than done since even if we were able to produce mass amount of vaccines, sadly, I am not sure if we could be able to store any since there is so much need for medice around the world.
French and Indian War
The first well-recorded incident of the small pox virus being used in such a manor was in the French and Indian War. Sir Jeffrey Amhurst, who happened to be the commander of the British forces, had been defeated in attempt to take over Fort Carillon. The commander quickly became freinds with a group of indians that felt sorry for the British forces. However, Sir Jeffrey Amhurst purposly gave his new and so-called freinds blankets. The indians did not know that the new blankets that had been given to them were covered with small pox from previous victoms that had used the blankets. The wicked general watched as the indians began to suffer from the deadly virus and decided to attack in hopes of taking over the fort. After gaining victory of Fort Carillon, Sir Jeffrey renamed the fort, Fort Ticonderoga. (Which after doing some researching, I was able to find out that Fort Ticonderoga was origonally battle in which American revolutionary troops captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775.)
Siege of Quebec
It was a devistating period for George Washington and his troops as a good unumber of Goerge Washingtons troops suffered from the small pox virus. It had taken quite a toll on his troops untill Goerge Washington required that all new troops be treated for small pox being seeing active duty.
Soviet Program
The soviets first began working with small pox embryonic chicken eggs. To give a breif background, eggs do not have much inside "materials" inside them. However, the Soviets began to gather an substantial amount of eggs untill they were able to produce over 100 tons of dried agents. As the soviets technology increased in the 1990's, they began using a new agent called tissue culture to continue to produce mass amount of the small pox virus.
I find it so amazing to see how history shows the steps taken into either spreading or producing the small pox virus. It is hard to comprehend the reasoning behind why human beings would do such a thing to harm one another as shown. In today's public health mind set, small pox is still a very serious issue. Even though scientist have found a cure for it; if it were to be used as a biological weapon and were to hit a major city for example, the spread of small pox could easily out-number the amount of medicine needed to help control the deadly virus. The public health system will continue to have their hands full with not only dealing with the current drouts of clean food, water, and medicine to much needed areas throughout the world but as well as handle the situation of bioterrorism.
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