First Day of School: Monday, August 27, 2012

First day of school photo shoot! The first one is of us "why-ing" which is the way you "bow" when you say "hello." 

Our schedule:

8am: Pick up from Theparak 5 Slum community

9-12pm: Elements Activity in Forest Wat

12-1pm: Lunch

1-4pm: PHM Lecture 1: History of Public Health and the Epidemiological Transition

4:30pm: Leave to Theparak 5 Slum community
5pm: Time with Slum community families
8pm: Sleep (yes, people in communities go to sleep pretty early)

This is the Forest Wat (temple) in Khon Kaen. There are lots of different Buddhist statues that people can pray to. Even though it is outside, it is respectful to take off your shoes when entering the Wat. In the morning, we had a chance to walk around and pray if we wanted.

This is the space that we will be working on the Elements activity in the Forest Wat.

Elements activity: identifying which element (earth, wind, water or fire) you are. Of course, everyone is made out every element, however, there is a main element that overpowers. Which element are you?

Earth characteristics:

Wind characteristics: Flexible, no structure, no attachments, love to travel, creative, easy-going, open-minded, bad in relationships.

Water characteristics: Go with the flow, indecisive, addictive personalities, compassionate, emotional, good listeners.

Fire characteristics: Aggressive, passionate, act before they think, engaging, overpowering.

I am an EARTH!

Key Points on the Overview of History of Public Health

1. Dichotomy between curative medicine and public health

2. Hipocrates was the first (and only) healer who used both curative medicine and public health. He understood the value that climate, water, exercise, excess food and drink intake affected one's health.

3. Galen, a Christian follower, believed that washing yourself (having good hygiene) meant that you were dirty and that you sinned. Thus, hygiene decreased and infections and diseases increased.

4. MIASMA theory: infections were due to "bad air." Of course, this is no longer believed because infections have many different vectors.

5. Concept of transmissible diseases developed and quarantine methods were used in the 14th century.

6. Primary Care versus Primary Health Care

7. Health delivery systems of high-income (USA) compared to middle-income countries (Thailand).

8. Perception of preventative medicine and responsibility of disease in high-income compared to middle-income countries.

Going back to Theparak 5 community! Time to ab-naam!