For health this semester we have started our unit by learning about death, dying, and the afterlife. We have learned different ways to cope with death, the ways different cultures celebrate death, and their beliefs. We have also looked at the dying process and the 5 stages of grief. Below is some of the work I have done around death, dying, and the afterlife.

For this topic, I have chosen to investigate killer diseases. A few interesting takeaways from the reading (Link) are, In 2020 in the U.S. between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could die from COVID-19 before the pandemic was brought under control. The monkeypox virus is most often spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal, though human-to-human transmission is possible. In the 14th century, doctors sometimes wore long trench coats and beak masks filled with aromatic substances like herbs, spices, or onions. This costume was thought to protect the doctors from infection. These are just some of the many interesting facts from the reading. Here is some more in-depth information about 3 of the killer diseases + 1 extra.

Toxic shock syndrome, Toxic shock syndrome is a dangerous bacterial infection most commonly associated with the use of tampons, but it also occurs in other settings such as post-surgical infections, burns, and catheters. The mortality rate of this disease is %12, (Mortality = Death)

Monkeypox, The monkeypox virus is most often spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal, though human-to-human transmission is possible. It occurs most often in rainforests of Central and West Africa. People suffering from the virus will experience fever and swollen lymph nodes followed by a rash that concentrates on the face and extremities.

COVID-19 is a contagious sickness caused by a virus. It spreads easily and can make people cough, have a fever, or trouble breathing. It started in China and became a big global problem in 2020. People wear masks, stay apart, and get vaccines to stay safe.

The plague, In the 14th and 15th centuries, around half of Europe’s population was wiped out by this contagious bacterial infection. While modern medicine has driven the plague’s mortality rate down significantly, outbreaks of plague still happen. Treatments for the plague in the Middle Ages included everything from drinking urine to eating the heart of a stag.

During this unit, there were a few ways I showed respect for other’s cultural beliefs, Some of these ways are by listening to their beliefs and cultural ways around death, researching different cultural practices, and sharing my cultural knowledge with others. I did this by, during the tasks having to share our culture’s ways around death so I told my friends around me my cultural practices around death and then I listened to their cultural practices. I also researched different culture’s ways around death and the ways they celebrate it, and I have shared my knowledge through my work. When people’s cultural ways and beliefs are treated with respect, they feel confident to show who they are without worrying about being judged.  These ways affect people’s Mental and Emotional well-being, Social well-being, and Cultural well-being aka spiritual well-being.

THE PLAGUE COSTUME DOCTORS WORE

MONKEYPOX

It is important that I take care of all areas of my Hauora when I experience change, loss, or grief because it can improve my well-being and lifestyle. It’s super important to take care of your body by eating right and moving, talking about how you feel, spending time with people you like, and doing things that make you feel good inside. This helps you feel better and stronger, even when things are tough. These ways to take care of your well-being relate to hauora because it can build your mental health making you more capable of handling change, loss, and grief, you can feel more included and welcomed (social well-being), if you’re religious you may do activities such as praying which can enhance your spiritual wellbeing, and Eating right and moving is a great way to manage your physical well-being.

To sum it up, we’ve learned about diseases, cultures, and how to take care of ourselves. Being kind, understanding different beliefs, and looking after our well-being are all really important. This knowledge helps us be better people and live better lives.