The promotion of nutrition, health and safety helps create an environment that maintains your health and encourages longevity. Early childhood and senior health professionals strive to keep their clients healthy and safe through addressing their specific age-related issues, food safety and long-term health problems, which are related to individual risk factors.
Age-Related Issues
Resources for parents, middle-age individuals and senior citizens are available through community agencies. Senior citizens have health-related issues, such as depression, cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease and home safety. Senior citizens are at greater risk during house fires and home invasions and are easy marks for fraud and scams. The elderly also face abuse issues, as do children and women. According to San Juan College, children face challenges related to their physical health, growth, development and safety needs. Because of their developmental level, children are often unable to identify hazards in their environment that would place their safety at risk. Children also have difficulty expressing issues related to child abuse and might not recognize neglect because it is a common occurrence in their life.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is important for individuals of all ages. With a strong nutritional base, children are able to grow, develop and do well in school, while it helps reduce the rate of disease in adults and improve mental health and function in adults and senior citizens. According to Purdue University, good nutrition can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Nutritional needs will change as you grow older. The number of calories required to maintain your weight and the specific amount of vitamins and minerals will vary based on age, sex, activity level and overall health. Nutritional intake will also vary based on cultural preferences, religion and regional differences.
Food Safety
Food safety issues impact all ages and genders. Iowa State University identifies food-borne illnesses and the microorganisms that cause them as a threat to the safety of those who eat contaminated food. Food must be handled safely to prevent the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens. Food safety factors include the acidity of the food, the time and temperature at which it is stored or left, exposure to oxygen and exposure to moisture. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service is responsible for the inspection of public areas that serve food, as well as manufacturers and producers of food-related products. These inspections are designed to reduce the transmission of pathogens and ensure the safety of the food that is consumed.
Health Safety
Many state and county government agencies administer health and safety programs designed to maintain a level of community health. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, for instance, runs programs designed to identify youth risk behaviors, assist families in addressing risky behaviors, coordinating school health programs and providing assistance for those who suffer from chronic health diseases, such as AIDS and HIV. Westchester, New York, government agencies also provide assistance for the elderly to proactively prevent fraud, crime, abuse, and assist in the development of living wills and health-care proxies.
References
- Westchestergov.com: Nutrition, Health and Safety
- San Juan College: Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Purdue University: The Importance of Nutrition
- Iowa State University: Safe Food -- It's Your Job Too
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service: Food Safety: Meat and Poultry Inspection
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Nutrition, Health and Safety
