Much to be thankful for...and still more work to be done
Things in the world I am thankful for:people who actually care about what I do and what happens to mewoods and clean airclean waterhealthlightFOOD!Still more work to be done: giving everyone the same support and opportunities I have hadI've never had to work for any of this.  I was fortunate to be born into it.

Science: So What?
Don't get me wrong, I think science is great. We use evidence-based this, evidence-based that...but what is so legitimate about our "evidence"? What makes our form of evidence superior than other kinds of "evidence"? I thought about this today, as I sat in a class designed to critically analyze papers that are published in notable and not so notable health related journals. My instructor loved laughing at the ignobles (google it, it's wicked funny) and discrediting people such as Deepak Chopra. I keep coming back to this thought again and again as I learn more about "international" health...who's to say that people like Deepak Chopra should be discredited? Why is his "evide

Is education really the answer?
I've read many articles that say education is the key to fighting poverty. No matter what is going on in communities, if the teacher is a good teacher, if the teacher is an effective teacher, the child will succeed regardless of the poverty, violence, detriment in their homes and communities. I have also heard that if a child has a good, effective teacher for at least 5 years in a row, they are more likely to succeed in school than if they have a good, effective teacher for only 1 or 2 years.I am skeptical. I don't doubt that good teachers can make a difference. However, there are just so many other factors that need to be addressed in communities, I feel like education is o

Booo Democrats
I didn't think I would ever say this, but I am really disliking the democrats right now. Dude, what happened to the public option? There's a time to compromise, and there's a time to make an executive decision. Now is the time to make an executive decision! What is going on?!?! I am so frustrated with the government right now. Just because a couple of people worship Glenn Beck does not mean that the rest of us 99% do!! Stop giving in to the crazies!!!!People are not getting the healthcare they need for a variety of reasons. One of which is lack of health insurance! So stop stomping on your OWN agenda! This post is really just to vent. I love havi

What's your opinion on this?
So...the debate's not really going anywhere at this point. I've stopped following the discussions on the health care reform and debate for the time being. It seems that things have not changed much in the last week or so. Instead, I want to ask you several questions. I've been thinking about some things regarding health and different health systems lately. What's your opinion on this?Who do you go to first when you get sick? (Or feel symptoms of an illness coming on):a) self remedies (aka over the counter drugs, extra liquids and bedrest, wikipedia)b) your mum or other significant caretaker, such as your spousec) other r