This is a photo of a carbon monoxide alarm that was taken in my kitchen, right outside of my garage. Carbon monoxide is produced when certain materials are burned by appliances in the homes. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal, especially because carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas. Therefore, it poses an environmental threat to public health on an individual level, affecting people’s households and families. As Riegelman and Kirkwood (2015) mentioned, local governments can play a powerful role in public health through the enforcement of certain housing regulations. In this case, initiative has been taken to influence households on a community level because my local government requires that homes have a carbon monoxide detector or alarm if they have an attached garage or gas-operated appliances. They are attempting to limit the amount of people who will be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning in the future by expanding these laws and launching public education campaigns. (Ramnik Dhingra, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, June 3, 2019)
This is the label for a prescription medication that was taken in my room. Although I have not photographed the entire label, it contains a plethora of information, such as a description of the pills, dosage recommendation, and safety precautions. This depicts the influence of public health at the individual level because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has standardized the information required on these prescription drug labels in order to assist the individuals in understanding their dosages as well as some of the side effects that may occur. An “integrated health care system” allows for a system of organization in order to control certain diseases and risk factors, ensuring that the general healthcare system is easier for people to access (Riegelman and Kirkwood, 2015, p. 8). Therefore, by creating labels that break down the information for their medications, people are able to better regulate their health. (Ramnik Dhingra, Medication Label, June 3, 2019)
This is a photo of a treadmill in my home. This is a depiction of public health at the individual level through behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants. Exercise is increasingly emphasized in our American society due to the obesity epidemic that is influencing our people (Riegelman and Kirkwood, 2015). Behaviorally, exercise can be a huge factor in the development of certain diseases, such as type II diabetes. Being able to afford an exercise machine is a socioeconomic factor because they tend to be very expensive. Although this machine is used for the maintenance of an individual’s health, it is not easily accessible at the personal level. Depending on the resources at home and in the community around them, others may find themselves exercising more outside or at a community gym depending on their socioeconomic and environmental factors. Therefore, exercise is a concept of American public health that requires the examination of a multitude of determinants. (Ramnik Dhingra, Treadmill, June 3, 2019).

References

Riegelman, R. & Kirkwood, B. (2015). Public health 101: Healthy people – healthy populations. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.