Health Care in California Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Health Care in California - Essay Example Unfortunately, a large number of Americans cannot afford to finance the cost of health care, which has escalated in the past few years. Although Medicare and Medicaid health care system have been helpful in ensuring the provision of quality healthcare to every American, the system is not completely universal. This is true because most Americans still lack health insurance coverage. Although the Obamacare Act has attempted to improve health care quality to the people, California Health Care Foundation (2014) report shows that the system is discriminatory since it is selective and benefits only a few groups. California is among the states with the largest numbers of residents without health insurance. Unfortunately, the majority of these poor is low-income earners and cannot afford to finance their medical bills whenever they fall sick. Therefore, to improve the quality of life of the Californian people, there has been an increased need for the instantiation of health care reforms to e nsure universal coverage for all residents of California. This document will discuss the various health care reforms initiatives that have been implemented in California in the last three years. California is one of the most populous states in the country. At the same time, California has one of the highest numbers of people without health insurance cover. Accordingly, millions of Californian residents have not been able to receive the quality of healthcare they need. A California Hospital Association (2014) report shows that the majority of Californian residents are not receiving the care they need despite the state spending large amounts of money per individual on health care. Reports indicate that California, like most other states in the country, has underutilized preventive care, a situation, which has resulted in large spending on treatment. A CDC report also indicates that state has not prioritized offering quality health care services to its

Instructional planning Essay Example for Free

Instructional planning Essay Introduction Proper planning is a core prerequisite to an effective instruction process. Teaching disabled persons poses great challenges to instructors and calls for the careful planning of a lesson so that it may meet the needs of the learners. Disabled persons have special needs occasioned by hearing impairment, vision impairment; nervous problems as well as physical movement problems, therefore any good lesson plan must make sure that children with special needs receive as much gains from the learning process as their regular students. The learning process is very important; there is a need to avail services and facilities such as walking chairs for the physically disabled, hearing devices for the hearing impairment and any other necessary facilities. Another necessary adoption teachers can make to lesson plans to make them more responsive to the needs of the disabled includes the use of technologically mediated communication through computers to aid the learning process. In all adjustments to suit lessons to the special needs of learners, cognitive needs, psychomotor needs and the affective needs of the learner must be borne in mind. From both lesson 1 and 3 it is very clear that the lesson plan is only effective for a regular class. Notably the action verbs used for the objectives such as ‘by the end of the lesson learners should learn the colors’ is biased because the students are supposed to learn by sight or observation. When the teacher uses pictures as a resource material in the lesson, it implies that only the students with visual ability can benefit. The lesson can be adjusted to cater for the disabled and especially the visually impaired by deemphasizing the color aspect of the pictures and concentrating on shapes and texture which can effectively guide a disabled student to meet the lesson objectives. Another objective in lesson 1 and 3 requires the student to participate in physical activity. This again favors the students who are physically normal but it portends a challenge to the physically disabled to which physical activity may be a barrier to the learning process. The lessons can be adapted to suit the disabled students by only choosing the physical activities that the disabled can participate in or availing the necessary equipment to aid the physical activities. The lesson plans involve a lot of drawing and writing activities something that may be a barrier and a challenge at the same time to the physically disabled. Some students are not able to draw or write while others may not be able to even hold a pencil or crayon. Further, the lesson activities involve the use of music that is again insensitive to the hearing impaired. To make the lesson fully useful to the disabled students, the lesson plans should incorporate only special types of music which is responsive to the needs of the hearing impaired. The other key instrument to the lesson involves use of Braille or special computers, use of special needs expert to assist in the lessons as well as the strict use of materials that are responsive to the needs of the disabled learners. The other adaptation of teachers or disabled children is to involve a lot of games in the lesson plans activities. The games can help children to discover their ability to serve in spite of their challenges (Basil, Reys, 2003). As a principle, every lesson plan should be a fit-all type of lesson plan to cater for different disabilities of the disabled students. Conclusion For a lesson plan to be effective, it has to bear in mind the cognitive, affective and psychomotor needs of disabled students. There is a need for teachers to design lesson plans factoring in the special needs of the disabled students so as to give such an equal opportunity as their regular counterparts. Only making changes to the lesson plan to reflect the needs of disabled learners can help teachers achieve learning objectives. References Basil, C. Reys, S. (2003). Acquisition of literacy skills by children with severe disability. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, vol. 19, no. 1.

Relationship Between Plankton and Ocean Currents

Relationship Between Plankton and Ocean Currents Gabriel Vallim PLANKTON AND OCEAN CURRENTS Plankton, from Greek it means wandering Plankton can be considered all organisms that come with ocean currents. This does not necessarily mean that all don’t have movement. Many of them have the ability to move, but can’t overcome the chains, and because of that they only has vertical movements and don’t define its horizontal position in the ocean. Plankton can be plants or animals and it has an important role in the fish food chain and other sea life, and also for human beings. The plankton organisms are very important because they are the base of marine food chain, and also because phytoplankton is the largest source of oxygen to the atmosphere, to the photosynthesis. These organisms have different sizes: from 2 microns (protozoa) to a few meters (some species of jellyfish), and are distributed from the surface to deep water. Importance of the Plankton Plankton is very important for life on Earth. Phytoplankton produces much of oxygen that people and other animals need to survive. Plankton is also a big source of food. Zooplankton feed on the phytoplankton. Fish and other large animal, feeds the zooplankton. As an example we have the whales, which keep the plankton through their filters, present in their mouths. Plankton doesn’t have the ability to overcome the ocean current. This is why the plankton is a group of extremely vulnerable to marine pollution organisms, since they can’t move to a location with better environmental conditions. Thus, some plankton organisms are important indicators of environmental quality of the marine regions. Types of Plankton 1) Phytoplankton > is Plankton formed from plants. These organisms are often not the size of a cell. A diatom, for example, which is a type of unicellular algae, is a common form of phytoplankton. The plants belonging to the plankton occupy the upper layers of the ocean because of light presence and then perform photosynthesis to produce energy and release oxygen gas. Different from most land plants, phytoplankton does not need roots, stems or leaves, because they can absorb water and nutrients directly from their environment. 2) Zooplankton > is Plankton formed from animal organisms. Some of these organisms are very small, as crustaceans’ miniature and protozoa. Others, such as jellyfish, are larger. Some fish and shellfish, early in his life, are eggs or small larvae. These eggs and larvae are also zooplankton. In the phytoplankton and zooplankton, bacteria and fungi float on the waters of the planet. These bodies can also be considered plankton. Ocean Currents The ocean currents are water flows that occur in the oceans and regulate the climate. Some streams are perennial, or is always flowing in a given direction at a given point. Ocean currents have their origin in the movement of winds at the surface and by the movement of Earths rotation. It starts in the tropics and at high latitudes and circulates oceans and seas carrying large bodies of water and debris, affecting marine life. They are divided into cold and warm currents, and have particular characteristics, such as temperature, salinity, color, density and marine life. The warm currents originate in the Intertropical Zone, leave the tropics toward the Polar Regions, while the cold currents, originate in the Polar Regions, and move in the opposite direction, towards the Equatorial Zones. An example is the Humboldt Current, which reaches the coast of Chile, creating a marked aridity in the region, and interferes with the fishing activity. They carry with them moisture and heat also interfering in marine life and, consequently, having a direct influence on the balance of the oceans and seas. It is considered the most important and enigmatic phenomena of the oceans due to its influence on climate regions and also for holding an important transportation work and spread of plant and animal species. The formation of ocean currents is because of the union of some factors of nature, such as difference density of water, by the difference in temperature and salinity. The currents tend to move the higher density areas to low density areas; action of the winds and movement of the Earths rotation (mainly influences towards some currents). Ocean currents can influence the climate, for example, contribute to the formation of deserts, such as the Humboldt Current with the Atacama Desert and the Benguela current with the desert of Namibia and Kalahari . From a biological point of view, the currents contribute to the spread of animal and plant species by the various areas through which they pass. The Humboldt Current, for example, contributes to the coast of Peru and Chile be one of the richest areas in the world of fish, due to the large amount of marine plankton that it transports. Major Ocean Currents Atlantic Ocean Coast of North America The Labrador Current (cold), the Gulf Stream (hot); Coast of Central America current West Indies or South equatorial current (hot); Coast of South America Falkland or Malvinas Current (cold), Brazil Current (warm). Pacific Ocean Coast of North America: Current California (cold); Coast of Central America: North Equatorial Current (hot); Coast of South America: Current Humboldt or Peru Current (cold). The worlds major ocean currents are the Gulf Stream, which moves in the south to north along the east coast of the USA and then in Europe, the current of Brazil, which moves in the north-south direction along the Brazilian coast, the current Humbolt, which moves by the Pacific Ocean and is related to the events effect El Nià ±o, and the chain of Bengal, which moves in the west to east toward the Indian Ocean. Ocean currents can be classified according to the temperature of where form in: warm currents are formed in the equatorial zones (current of Guinas, the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and the South Equatorial); cold currents that form in the polar regions (current Labrador, Humbolt, the Falklands, Bengal and the Antarctic Circumpolar). Ocean Current influences on climate North America The Labrador Current (cold) influences the temperature of the northeast coast of North America, making the climate of that region presents very low temperatures, causing the freezing of waters in the port of New York. The Gulf Stream (hot) originates in the West Indies; lard much of the east coast of North America, warming the climate in the Gulf of Mexico. By having hot water favors the evaporation contributing to increased rainfall in the Gulf region. South America South America also receives influence of ocean currents as the Humboldt Current (cold), also known as the Peru Current. This ocean current rises near Antarctica therefore carries the cold temperatures of the area where it originates. The low temperature of the Humboldt Current prevents evaporation, leaving the relative humidity of air low, causing the formation of a mass of dry air, contributing to formation of the dry climate of Chiles Atacama Desert to Peru. Ocean Currents and Economy Ocean currents also influence the economy of many countries. Peru is one of the worlds fish producers because of the influence of the Humboldt Current , because when reaching the Peru Coast found warm waters and brings out the nutrients carried by the current, attracting many shoals and directly helping the fishing industry of that country. Humboldt Current has a negative influence on the north coast of Chile and Peru, and is responsible for the formation of the Atacama Desert and transforms large areas in wastelands by water stress present in the area caused by the action of this ocean current. The areas bathed by sea warm currents, such as the Brazilian coast and the Gulf of Mexico, have high rainfall which favors the development of various agricultural crops and other economic activities. Relation between Plankton and Ocean Currents The meaning of Plankton in Greek refers exactly to what it is: a wandering, or specie that don’t have root and move to a place to another one. The Ocean Currents influences this movement transforming regions on rich environment and others on poor environment, as it takes nutrients to one place to another. By this movement it is possible to determine if the water portion is rich in nutrients or not, depending on the plankton find on it. Human activities and preservation As always, humans are requested to rethink their activities and what they are doing to preserve the environment. Sometimes a region is poor in plankton simply because the water doesn’t have quality. In the past, human thinks that nature will last forever, but nowadays they realize that nature is giving its answers†¦ we can see this by nature catastrophes seeing all long the world. We need to preserve the nature for the future generation, and as a Blue Planet, water is our main resource that needed to be conserved.

The Narrator of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Short Story, The Yellow Wallpaper :: Essay on The Yellow Wallpaper

In everyday day life we go through changes and sometimes we even break down to the point we do not know what to do with ourselves, but in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story† The Yellow Wallpaper† the narrator is an obsessive person. The story focuses on a woman who is going through postpartum depression and has had a nervous breakdown. Her husband John moves her into a home where he wants her to rest in isolation to recover from her disorder. Throughout her time in the room the narrator discovers new things and finally understands life. The narrator is trying to get better from her illness but her husband â€Å"He laughs at me so about this wallpaper† (515). He puts her down and her insecurities do not make it any better. She is treated like a child. John says to his wife â€Å"What is it little girl† (518)? Since he is taking care of her she must obey him â€Å"There comes John, and I must put this away, he hates to have me write a word†. The narrator thinks John is the reason why she cannot get better because he wants her to stay in a room instead of communicating with the world and working outside the house. The room describes the narrator. The room was once a nursery so it reminds her that she has a baby which she is not able to see or hold. The room was also a playroom so it reminds her once again that she cannot play with or watch her baby play. The room has two windows which she looks out of and sees all the beautiful places she cannot go because of her husband. The bars on the windows represent a prison which her husband has put her in to heal from her illness. Throughout her time in the room she notices the wallpaper â€Å"a smouldering unclean yellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight† (514). After a couple of days in her opinion the wallpaper is starting to change. She sees â€Å"a women stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern† (518). In the daytime she sees the women outside the house â€Å"I see her in that long shaded lane, creeping up and down. I see her in those dark grapes arbors, creeping all around the gardenâ€Å"(521). The places where the women is creeping is where the narrator can’t go so she he creeps in the daytime â€Å"I always lock the door when I creep by daylight† (520).

Human Nutrition Worksheet Essay

Use Ch. 1, 2, & 3 of Visualizing Nutrition, supplemental course materials, the University Library, the Internet, or other resources to answer the following questions. Your response to each question should be 75 to 100 words. 1. What is nutrition? Why is nutrition essential to our daily lives? Nutrition is the process in which the body takes in nutrients and distributes it through the body. These nutrients give the body energy and supplies the body with materials that help tissue growth and processes. Nutrition is also known as the science or practice of consuming and utilizing foods. Nutrition is essential in our daily lives because it can dramatically affect the way the body functions. These nutrients are the body’s day to day source of fuel. 2. What is the connection between nutrition and health? Food is the main source for the body’s health and nutrition. Our health is based off of good nutrition. Without a healthy nutritious diet, not only is your physical health at risk, but you put your mental health at risk as well. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet can help to stimulate parts of the brain that causes depression and anxiety. It even helps to boost your energy level, thus helping you excel in most daily activities. 3. What is the relationship between poor nutrition and disease? Poor nutrition can be a result of not eating enough food, or not eating the right kind of food. Not eating enough or eating all the wrong kind of food can  lead the body to face health complications in the future. One complication the body faces with poor nutrition is diabetes. Diabetes can be caused by obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Anemia is another complication that the body faces when red blood cells are unable to carry enough oxygen to your body’s cells. This is caused by an iron deficiency. Some of the foods that contain iron can include: clams, oysters, liver, beef, poultry etc. 4. What does it mean to eat a balanced diet? Why is food choice important for good nutrition? A balanced diet means that the body is receiving the required portions from each food group from the food group pyramid. Food choice is important for good nutrition because it is up to the individual whether they chose to maintain a healthy life style by starting with what they eat. . A balanced diet is what is recommended in order to keep good health and healthy eating is what keeps the body healthy and strong. With poor choice in nutrition, the body can become vulnerable to disease and health complications in the future. 5. Why is physical activity important to a person’s health? What changes, if any, should you make to ensure you get enough physical activity? Physical activity is important to one’s health because it helps to reduce chances of a disease, it helps people feel better both physically and mentally. Many changes can come from making small changes in a person’s lifestyle. Keeping fit can also lead to more energy throughout the day and can have a positive effect to a person’s social interaction. Promoting good health with good eating habits and daily physical activity will make aging a lot easier on the body; not to mention one will look great doing it! 6. What influences your food choices? Why? I believe what influences my food choices is the food marketing and advertisements made through billboards, flyers, television and even social media. Personally noticed the increase in the advertisement of fat foods like McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr. Wendy’s, Jack in the Box and many more restaurants serving greasy foods. These foods are made at an affordable price and even available through drive trough’s to make it easier on the  consumers pocket and time. For me it is a lot easier to pick something up from a drive through, than to make the time to cook something healthy at home. 7. What is the difference between digesting protein and carbohydrates? Which would make you feel fuller longer? Why? Carbohydrates break down the sugars and starches of the food we eat. Our body’s then can use them as fuel. Proteins and fats can also be used as energy sources. Consuming carbs can offer the most direct way of supplying fuel to our body’s cells, while protein digestion can serve to reduce the large protein molecules in the foods you consume down to their individual building blocks, or amino acids. 8. How does today’s society affect our nutritional habits? Today’s society has a big impact on our nutritional habits due to all the advertising done for restaurants promoting unhealthy foods. Like I stated in question six, these restaurants are offering the buyers unhealthy food at affordable prices. Now a days, you don’t really see advertisement for health eating. The only restaurant that has somewhat of a healthy choice is Subway, but even then Subway has a lot of choices full of calories. In order to pick something healthy you have to read how many calories each item has and Subway has a calorie chart to look at for help. 9. How are nutrients used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP)? Adenosine triphosphate consists of carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates are the main source of ATP production. When carbs are broken down into glucose, they get stored in the muscles as glycogen. This then gets turned into ATP production. Fat is another fuel source that becomes of use when exercising. But in fat, you have the good fat and bad fat. Good fat energizes you to be less fatigued while working out, while bad fat has the opposite effects on the body. 10. Consider your personal dietary habits. What are some modifications you might make to promote good health? Considering my own dietary habits, I need to make healthier choices in order to reach a better state of health. Being pre diabetic means maintaining a healthier lifestyle along with more physical activity to burn off calories and set a goal of losing weight and staying fit. I need to start making healthier food choices rather than taking the easy way out and head for the drive through. Cooking meals a day before or taking one day to cook for the week can make time more manageable and help to make the change and keep up a healthy lifestyle.

Hugh’s character Essay

The final story, which Hugh tells, incorporates the many criticisms of Hugh’s character. He covers up his own failings and inadequacies as a defence mechanism and reiterates this by saying to Owen, ‘to remember everything is a form of madness. ‘ This story is almost a turning point of Hugh’s character and for the audience’s interruption of his character. Hugh is no longer a two dimensional caricature but a real character with human attributes, hence why we can be critical and admirable towards him. After all, Hugh is a self-educated man with a vast depth of knowledge of the Classics, speaking four languages, that we know of, Greek, Latin, Gaelic and English; nearly all of which he would have to have taught himself. He seems to be driven to share his knowledge. By teaching the Classics in his environment of rural poverty, himself a picture of poor ragged countryman, we must appreciate his drive and ability. Hugh also formed the ‘Hedge School’ well as far as we know. He is attempting to educate the locals and one almost feels that he has taken the school from the hedge lines into the barn and still as an old man in his early sixties he has the ambition to move onward and upward to a new position at the new national school. He is clearly a figure in the local community who is looked up and respected by his peers and students alike. In addition, Yolland has a great deal of respect for him, calling him † an astute man. ‘ Yolland almost has more respect for Hugh than Owen does because Owen continues to be critical of him and Yolland repeats, ‘But so astute,’ almost placing Hugh on a pedestal. In addition, as an audience you have to respect his ability to cope with his situation, his wife has died and his sons are without a mother. It is easy to be critical of Hugh but you have to admire his ability to cope with the hard reality of the times he is living in even if that means trying to erase the past. After all he did live in an age of hand to mouth existence and he almost blocks out the reality of these hardships. His survival mechanism is a natural and human instinct. We cannot really blame him for wanting to live in an unrealistic world of Greek myth and Latin past. Neither can you chastise his drinking. His lifestyle and the stress of his situation is what drives him to drink and you cannot really fault him for that. All of these small but simple gestures that Friel incorporates into Hugh’s character are what make us as an audience have admiration for him. Friel does not create a stereotypical character, but a ‘fully-rounded’ individual with human qualities, it is these qualities, which allow us as an audience to both admire and criticise his character.