Health Blog

A healthy body and a sound mind

Mastering Public Health Service

Image: northshorejournal

The Master of Public Health Program or MPH is a multidisciplinary educational program which focuses on public health practice.  Students who take and finish this program are expected to gain competency in various areas including Public Health Biology, Program Planning, Professionalism, and Leadership, among others.  Depending on the country wherein the program is offered, the course can be offered only to medical graduates such as in the US.

This program is suitable for professionals who seek leadership positions in the public health practice.  Holders of this master’s degree who have the other qualifications required by employers for higher managerial positions will find themselves in an advantageous position compared to non-master’s degree holders.  High-level administrative positions require specific skills, knowledge, and experience in both analytical and conceptual aspects of performing attached responsibilities.

Most who desire to take the Master’s degree program in Public Health are employed professionals holding responsibilities that will make it difficult to comply with the requirements of on-campus study.  Many will not be willing to give up work just to study because of existing responsibilities to family and the employer.  This has given rise to the popularity of online degree programs such as the mph degree online.

There are several colleges and universities offering online programs in public health with some variations in coursework depending on the school’s offered curriculum.  What is common among these programs however is the convenience they offer since students will not be required to report to school for specific days and time which can be quite disruptive in schedule if one is working.  The online option has allowed many professionals who were previously limited by traditional obstacles.

Health professionals who have been working for about three to five years find an mph degree online especially useful as they work their way towards a promising career.  The boost which a master’s degree program can provide to a career can be such as to make the decision life-changing.   In a highly competitive world such as the work area, everything counts.

As professionals work their way towards employment growth, they will find out that education plays an important role in establishing competency of candidates for promotion.  Although it will not be the sole qualifying factor for promotion, the level of education attained will always be a major consideration to contend with.   Mastering public health service can start with finishing a Master’s Degree Program in Public Health.

About the Guest Blogger

Jake is a health professional currently looking into the most suitable mph degree online.

Originally posted on November 30, 2012 @ 7:11 pm

What Corrective Eyewear is Best for You

As people age, many experience vision problems. The doctors would tell you that it’s a normal occurrence and one that will most likely happen to people with parents who have the same issue. Either the child can get it at a young age or as he or she grows old.

Normally, though, vision issues start to occur when an individual is at his late 30’s or early 40’s. Various symptoms can be experienced such as dizziness as if you’re on a ship and some imbalance problems.
Eyeglasses-and-Contact-Lens
Vision issues can include either be astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness. Nearsighted means a person sees clearly only when things are closer to him while farsighted means the person can see clearly from a distance but has difficulty viewing those near to him. Astigmatism, meanwhile, refers to a refractive error that leads to blurry vision.

The right person to consult regarding this matter is an ophthalmologist or a physician specializing in eye and vision care. This type of doctor is trained in providing all kinds of eye care including prescribing glasses and contact lenses as well as performing surgical procedures.
[Read more…]

Originally posted on January 2, 2013 @ 4:46 pm

Are nonnutritive sweeteners safe?

Nonnutritive sweeteners (sometimes called artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes) may seem like the sweet solution to people struggling with diabetes or weight loss problems. But how healthy are these chemicals, and are there natural sweeteners that can deliver similar benefits but at a reduced risk to your health? [Read more…]

Originally posted on April 6, 2012 @ 12:55 pm

E-cigarettes: Are They Really Good for Quitters?

There’s been much talk about these e-cigarettes which authorities say are good for smokers who want to kick their puffing habit for good. But amidst this hullabaloo, there’s concern particularly from the medical sector that these alternatives also pose health risks.

E-cigarettes or the electronic form are the trend today. They’re even used by Hollywood actors not only when shooting their scenes in front of the camera but as well as in real life.

Vaping is the term used for puffing this type of cigarette because it is actually just vapor that users are able to inhale while using it. The vapor emitted is from a solution containing propylene glycol that gets heated through the use of a battery.

What makes this product worth using is the fact that it does not contain tobacco. It is made from plastic and metal and comes in a disposable cartridge. Various flavors and nicotine levels are also available. Additionally, it does not stain the teeth like the usual cigarette.

Varied reactions have been given to this alternative cigarette. Some people who have tested it didn’t continue and returned to using the regular form while the others claimed to have gotten used to it and felt a big relief.

But the main issue still being debated by medical experts today is the lack of regulatory measures for these e-cigarettes. Concerns have also been raised as no clinical studies have yet been conducted to determine the effectiveness as well as adverse effects, if any, of this product to people who wish to quit their smoking habits.

So far, only one research done in 2011 has found that e-cigarettes may be able to help people stop smoking. The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Apart from the health risks, however, government officials and parents are also concerned about the effects these e-cigs will have on teens and even the younger ones.Being referred to as something electronic, they fear there’s a possibility that young people will be tempted to buy the product out of curiosity. They believe the word electronic alone is enough reason for many youth to try out a new product.

China was the first to introduce the e-cigarettes in 2003. It became available in the U.S. three years after and currently, some 2.5 million Americans are now using it. Most are using it to stay away from the regular and addictive cigarettes.

Photo via happyshoppinglife.com

About the guest author:
Beverly used to be a heavy smoker but now uses a particular UK e-cigarette brand as a move to eventually stop smoking. She has joined several anti-smoking campaigns including on certain sites as her way of helping spread the word about the ill effects of cigarette use.

Originally posted on September 28, 2012 @ 7:42 am