I need help self Engagement

After week 8 begins but before the end of Week 10, you will provide a score between 0-10 along with an approximately 125-250 word narrative of your justification for your score by providing your strengths and weaknesses. If you believe your participation is good, you will name one or two things you could do to show mastery. If you believe your participation needed improvement, you will describe some of the hurdles you face during the class. Be sure to address both strengths and weaknesses. Then, you will reflect on your experiences in our class and describe in what ways you believe you may have grown or changed along with what you think were some of your most important take-aways from our course.

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Reflection

Mason Packer

Gender/Race

11/01/2023

2

The idea of obesogenic surroundings is one of the key ideas covered in the readings.

These data demonstrate how environmental factors, such as the availability of unhealthy food

options, can have a substantial impact on obesity (Schultz et al., 2018). Thinking about this idea

in the context of my everyday life makes me think of the fast-food joints, convenience stores,

and vending machines that I go by regularly. Foods high in calories and low in nutrients are

readily available in these settings. It is difficult for people to make healthier decisions when they

are constantly surrounded by harmful options. Even though my friends and family aim to eat

healthily, I have seen how the affordability and availability of these obesogenic surroundings can

influence them to make less nutrient-dense decisions. This idea emphasizes how crucial it is to

change these settings to encourage healthier eating choices and, as a result, lower obesity rates.

The involvement of genetics and epigenetics in obesity is another idea covered in the

readings (Anekwe et al., 2020). My interest in this topic stemmed from its emphasis on the

notion that obesity might be influenced by genetic factors in addition to bad lifestyle choices. I

have seen people who battle weight-related problems in my chats with friends and family, even if

they make an effort to lead healthy lives. Reducing the stigma associated with obesity requires

acknowledging its genetic component. It supports the notion that a person's weight reflects more

than just their personal preferences and willpower. Rather, a complicated interaction between

genetic and environmental factors is at play. This knowledge promotes empathy and a more

comprehensive strategy for combating obesity that takes into account both hereditary and

environmental factors.

The findings also highlighted how obesity has far-reaching health effects, including a

higher chance of chronic illnesses including diabetes and cardiovascular problems (Graham,

2015). I can think of friends and family members who are dealing with similar issues when I

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apply this to my daily life. These firsthand accounts highlight the link between obesity and these

illnesses. It serves as a reminder that obesity is a serious public health concern as well as a

cosmetic one. This reading-related insight, which encourages people to manage their weight and

lower their risk of obesity-related health issues, is consistent with news reports and health

campaigns I come across.

Although the media's influence on how people view obesity was not specifically

discussed in the readings, I have seen it in my day-to-day interactions. The media frequently

promotes negative preconceptions about fat and idealized body images. I have observed this in

social media platforms, movies, and advertisements that push unattainable beauty ideals. Such

representations have the potential to lower people's self-esteem and stigmatize fat. The readings'

emphasis on the socioeconomic forces contributing to obesity aligns with the media's promotion

of unhealthy body ideals. It gets me to think about how important it is to address the detrimental

effects on body image and self-worth through media literacy and more appropriate

representations of body diversity in popular culture.

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References

Anekwe, C. V., Jarrell, A. R., Townsend, M. J., Gaudier, G. I., Hiserodt, J. M., & Stanford, F. C.

(2020). Socioeconomics of obesity. Current obesity reports, 9, 272-279.

Graham, G. (2015). Disparities in cardiovascular disease risk in the United States. Current

cardiology reviews, 11(3), 238-245.

Schultz, W. M., Kelli, H. M., Lisko, J. C., Varghese, T., Shen, J., Sandesara, P., ... & Sperling, L.

S. (2018). Socioeconomic status and cardiovascular outcomes: challenges and

interventions. Circulation, 137(20), 2166-2178.

Running head: M2

M2

Mason Packer

11/15/2023

2 M2

Taking the last two modules have been a great learning experience. Over the modules, I

have learnt a great deal on public health and health system in general. This topic are essential for

getting an insight on healthcare issues, their impact on public health as well as public health

assessment. Healthcare disparities and other related topics are of the eye opening issues in the

last two modules. These topics have changed personal perspective or views on various issues

concerning healthcare. There quite of few topic covered, which have experienced or could apply

in everyday life. Racism, social class, sexism, social discrimination and other types of stereotype

represent challenges, which the healthcare system is facing today. Significantly, racial, ethnic

minority and low- income population are mostly affected by health issues or diseases.

Additionally, understanding how the assessment of public health concerns such as virus outbreak

for instance COVID also has provided an insight on how diseases are evaluated to consider how

harmful they are on humans as well as their origin. As such, this paper provides a comprehensive

and brief critical reflection on the concept learned and reading by connecting the information to

personal experiences in everyday life.

One of the main topic covered is health disparities, health equity and some social

determinants for healthcare. One day I had a very paining tooth, which made me rush to the

nearby healthcare institution. However, I was not able to get the help I needed immediately

because not only did I have less money but my health insurance cover could not cover for dental

service. The facility asked me to book an appointment for dental service when I am ready. Well,

reading other information on health disparities and equality, such experience represent some

disparities present in the healthcare system today. People get the healthcare help they need or

treated depending on their income level. Health social determinants, income or socioeconomic

status including other factors such as race and ethnicity are strong indicators of many diseases as

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well as how one is able to access healthcare or get treated (Hill-Briggs, et al, 2021). This could

be explained through the fundamental cause theory. Additionally, I have learned that health

disparities has had a huge impact on Health research and studies on illnesses such as cancer.

Some diseases are influenced by genetics or biological traits, lifestyle and environmental

exposure (Sengupta & Honey, 2020). For instance, my family has a history of pulmonary

fibrosis, something, which is common in my race. However, there are limited knowledge on

various inherited diseases on racial and ethnic minorities. This indicate that there is need to

overcome health disparities through diversity in healthcare system.

It was also interesting to learn about the processes of public health issue assessment,

research on diseases origin including other issues that are studies regarding an outbreak (NIC,

n.d). Such, health-centered assessment are not publicly exposed or accessed by majority of

people. For example, during COVID even though people understood it originated from China no

specific information was known by the general public. Based on various online that I read during

the COVID pandemic, people had various views on its origin, some were from political

framework others assumptions. However, from this module have understand that assessment on

diseases is an important component to prevent the disease and help the public understand the

cause and impacts.

To conclude, before, I viewed health system as a frontline for caring for public health

should allow access to healthcare services with no imitation. However, I now understand that

from personal experience, overall public experiences learned from social media and what have

learned so far, disparities and inequality exist in the healthcare system despite the effort put to

end the problem. Additionally, health disparities including their underlying causes reflect the

longstanding systematic as well as structural health inequities that is rooted in discrimination,

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socioeconomic status and racism. Besides having this issue exist in healthcare system, I was

surprised to learn that health institutions and related organization provide updates on the origin

of global diseases. All in All this experiences and reading picture a comprehensive image of the

health system, healthcare issues and agreement that it is critical to raise healthcare awareness and

strategies for quality and improved public health.

5 M2

References

Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N. E., Berkowitz, S. A., Chin, M. H., Gary-Webb, T. L., Navas-Acien, A.,

... & Haire-Joshu, D. (2021). Social determinants of health and diabetes: a scientific

review. Diabetes care, 44(1), 258.

NIC (n.d). Updated Assessment on COVID-19 0rigin

Sengupta, R., & Honey, K. (2020). AACR cancer disparities progress report 2020: achieving the

bold vision of health equity for racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved

populations. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 29(10), 1843-1843.

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Racism Reflection

Mason Packer

Portland State Univsersity

10/11/2023

2

Racism Reflection

Introduction

The readings on racial development, the design of racism, and the impact of orientation

on friendly relations have given me a significant comprehension of the intricacies innate in our

public. These ideas have permitted me to fundamentally dissect my ordinary encounters,

discussions, and media utilization. This reflection expects to investigate what these readings have

meant for my point of view on the interconnectedness of race, gender, and societal position in

different parts of my life.

The concept of intersectionality, as examined by Omi and Winant, has been especially

compelling in how I might interpret race. It features how race is not a secluded classification, but

rather crosses with different parts of personality like orientation and social class. This viewpoint

has become clear in discussions with my loved ones. For example, during a new family

gathering, we examined the difficulties faced by people of changed racial foundations. The

discussion normally developed into thinking about how orientation assumed a part in molding

these encounters. This led to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between race and

gender, and how they together contribute to one's social positioning.

Besides, the readings by Bonilla-Silva shed light on the construction of racism in an

alleged "post-racial" America. This examination has provoked me to assess occasions of the

partially blind manner of speaking in mainstream society and the media fundamentally. I

currently perceive how the possibility of a "post-racial" society can be negative, as it frequently

excuses the genuine encounters of racialized people. This mindfulness has permitted me to

participate in discussions with a more nuanced viewpoint, testing presumptions and

generalizations that might emerge.

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Ridgeway's work on how orientation shapes social relations has given a significant

system for understanding the unobtrusive manners by which orientation standards and

assumptions affect our cooperation. One specific experience strikes a chord while pondering this

idea. I noticed a gathering at my work environment where a female partner's ideas were met with

distrust, while comparative thoughts from her male partners were promptly acknowledged. This

present circumstance made me keenly conscious of how profoundly imbued orientation

predispositions can be in proficient settings. Ridgeway's conversation because of status on

disparity further supplemented this comprehension. The reading highlighted how status orders

can propagate imbalance, frequently prompting the minimization of specific gatherings. This

reverberated with a new news story I ran over, which provided details regarding the differences

in admittance to quality schooling in light of financial status. It was dampening to acknowledge

how profoundly settled these imbalances are, and it provoked me to consider the significance of

resolving foundational issues to advance genuine value.

Conclusion

The readings on the racial arrangement, the construction of bigotry, and the impact of

orientation on friendly relations have fundamentally improved how I might interpret the

perplexing elements that shape our public. They have urged me to move toward discussions,

media utilization, and daily encounters with a more basic and nuanced point of view. By

perceiving the crossing points of race, orientation, and societal position, I am better prepared to

explore and contribute definitively to conversations encompassing imbalance and civil rights. As

I keep on drawing in with these ideas, I'm focused on being a supporter of change and cultivating

a more comprehensive and equitable society

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References

Bonilla-Silva, E. (2015). The structure of racism in color-blind, “post-racial”

America. American Behavioral Scientist, 59(11), 1358-

1376. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764215586826

Omi, M., Winant, H., & Winant, P. H. (1994). Racial formation in the United States: From the

1960s to the 1990s. Psychology Press.

Ridgeway, C. L. (2008). Framed before we know it. Gender & Society, 23(2), 145-

160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243208330313

Ridgeway, C. L. (2013). Why status matters for inequality. American Sociological

Review, 79(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122413515997

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