A public health topic that I feel
is meaningful to me is children having access to clean healthy water. Ninety
percent of our body is made up of water. Water is important for children to
grow healthy. It is essential for children to have access to healthy water not
only to keep their bodies clean but to nourish it as well. Clean water keeps
our children’s teeth healthy, cleanses the liver and kidneys, hydrates our
children when their outside in the heat playing, etc. I find that in the United
States we may be fortunate to have easy access to water. On the contrary, it is
scarce and limited in other parts of the country.
For instance, in Haiti clean
healthy water is difficult to find for many of the poorer areas of the country.
Many of the poor communities suffer with contaminated water resulting in cholera which an
infection in the small intestine. We may see a simple solution such as
boiling the water to remove the toxins but believe it or not, poor communities
may not have access to charcoal to boil water, leaving families no choice but
to use the contaminated water. The effects of contaminated water consumed by
children have large consequences on their health, resulting in hospitalization
and even death. Non profit organizations such as United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) assist many communities with chlorine tablets which cleans
contaminated water. The tablets are provided for the many communities who
neither can afford to buy the tablets or have access to them.
This issue has inspired me to want
to do more to help those families who don’t have the means to have clean water.
As I proceed through my career I always want to look beyond the issues of the
United States and look to other countries, as many of our children in the United
States migrate from other countries. It is important for me to be aware in what
is going on around the world which can help the children I serve and their
families.
I think you did an excellent job on why you chose the topic on having access to healthy water. I too feel that it is a major part of of lives and for people in the United States we are fortunate because we have it and its why I would like to give back to other countries because I know most of them don't have access to healthy water which is very important for noursihment and just because its what we use a lot every day.
ReplyDeleteYou chose an interesting topic that I feel is often overlooked, epecially in third world countries. We often see and hear about lack of food and clothes, but nice, clean fresh water would make a difference in children's lives. Interesting research on the chlorine tablets provided by the UNICEF.
ReplyDeleteSteffanie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great topic. My children and I donate to a program called Food for the Poor, which provides assistance in Latin America, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti. One of the items families can donate money for are materials for wells, water pumps, and purification systems, so families can have access to clean water. I am so thankful it is not something we in the United States have to think about often, but at the same time it is our duty to think of it for others around the globe.
I didn't really know too much about contaminated drinking water. Thank you for sharing. I have been aware of UNICEF for many many years now as I was introduced to them as a child through my church. They have been trying to do so much work to help improve 3rd world countries and especially the welfare of children. To this day I still donate to them.
ReplyDelete