Did you know that diet can affect a person's daily life? From acne to lack of energy, a poor diet causes a list of disadvantages. Ms. Lois Collins Gwinn, Ms. Summerlyn Mitchell Johnson, and Monique McMillan came from the Mobile County Health Department to educate us on health equity and nutrition.
The MCHD has federal funds from the CDC to establish this department to look at health disparities. Health disparities are health issues that affect certain areas, such as disorders or diseases. The MCHD finds solutions for these so people affected by health issues can have the same chances as everyone else. Healthy equity is the goal. It is achieved when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. They aim to connect with and listen to the community, build community partnerships, collect and analyze data to drive our mission forward and provide education. Their missions and goals are to conduct assessments, plan, and programs, and advocate. They use social determinants of health to examine what factors contribute to health issues. Some include economic stability, physical environment, education, food, social context, and health care system. Without an education, some people won't be able to fill out applications for jobs or health insurance. Deprivation of parks or a safe physical environment may cause obesity because of lack of exercise. Malnutrition may become a problem without the right foods to give energy and nutrients. Thats why the MCHD created the WIC program, which stands for women, infants, and children. It provides canned goods, dairy, eggs, wheats, fruits, vegetables to those who are deprived of it. People on WIC are given coupons or a card to pay for all of these if they can't afford it. They also are provided with healthcare, like dental and vision screenings. Dieticians suggest we eat fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy for every meal. They manage and oversee WIC clinics and translate nutritional information into suggestions of diet. They educate us on diets are supposed to be filled with many nutrient-based foods because of body needs those vitamins to survive.
Health is a priority and should be treated as such. Vitamins should be incorporated in daily meals to prevent us from getting sick and strengthening our immune systems. Be well, get well, and stay well.
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