Bridge the Gap Villages Implement the U.N. Millennium Goals in Vorovoro, Fiji

In the year 2000 the United Nations embarked on an aggressive project to improve the living standards for humankind. This project, The United Nations Millenium Goals, were tasked with substantially reducing and sustainably improving the human condition in the following areas:

    Poverty
    Hunger
    Disease
    Illiteracy
    Environmental Degradation
    Discrimination Against Women

At the Millenium Summit in 2000 The Millennium Development Goals were refined into eight development goals to be achieved by the year 2015:

    Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
    Achieving universal primary education
    Promoting gender equality and empowering women
    Reducing child mortality rates
    Improving maternal health
    Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,
    Ensuring environmental sustainability
    Developing a global partnership for development

The deadline for implementation is 2015 and the United Nations has made substantial progress in achieving many of these goals.

Bridge the Gap Village in Vorovoro, Fiji has goals that tie in perfectly with many of the United Nations Millennium Goals. As an ecotourism and sustainable development tourist destination, not only can guests explore and relax in the natural beauty of an untouched Fijian island, they can experience Fijian culture in a way not available anywhere else on earth.

Ecologically Responsibility

As a guest on Vorovoro, Fiji you will experience an island that is ecologically responsible. Rainwater harvesting is the only water source. There is zero waste stream. Compost toilets recycle all biodegradable waste. Permaculture methods are used to help feed island guests. All power on the island is renewable. All building materials are locally sourced and most are from renewable natural resources.

Supporting the Local Economy

The goal of Bridge the Gap Villages in Vorovoro, Fiji is to return over ninety percent of revenues to the local Fijian economy. Local staff is employed at a living wage. Most services are sourced from local service companies. Most importantly Bridge the Gap Villages Vorovoro, Fiji has a goal of achieving ninety percent Fijian ownership by the local tribe, the Matingali, within ten years. Not only are the local tribes benefitting from the tourist dollars spent on the island, they are becoming business owners while learning how to start their own companies.

Unique Business-Mentoring Program

The most unique element of the Bridge the Gap Villages in Vorovoro, Fiji project is a business-mentoring program. The intention of this unique program is to find promising Fijians who are capable of running their own business. These Fijians will develop a business plan, be assigned a mentor, and be assisted closely for the first three to five years of their business start-up.

Culturally Sensitive

Guests on Vorovoro, Fiji will be shown respect for the Fijian culture they are visiting. Fiji's culture is a rich mixture of indigenous Fijian, Indo-Fijian, Asian and European traditions. The indigenous community culture is preserved, as island guests will live in native Fijian bures, bamboo and grass huts. The island cuisine of root crops, vegetables, fruit and fish are prepared in a traditional wood fired oven. Fiji's modern culture is rich with formalities and intricacies that show respect for communal groups. Island visitors will have an opportunity to participate in a nightly Kava ceremony.

Experiential Richness

Island guest become a part of the daily island activities as well as the local community. Guests are invited to create activities that will educate them and subsequent visitors about the island, the environment, the community, the traditions and the culture. Everyone is asked to help enrich the community with their unique talents thus helping the community thrive long after the visitors leave.

Fitting into the United Nation's Millennium Goals

The United Nations Millennium Goals is one of the most successful projects in the history of the United Nations. The goal of reducing poverty by half has been reached five years ahead of the 2015 deadline. Primary school enrollment of girls equaled boys. Progress in reducing child and maternal mortality is accelerating. The target of halving the proportion of people without access to improved sources of water has been reached.

Despite these successes, there is still much to be done. The 2012 United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report states, "Inequality is detracting from these gains, and slowing advances in other key areas. In the years ahead, we have the opportunity to achieve more and to shape the agenda for our future." A new agenda is taking shape.

Economic, Environmental and Social Development

Bridge the Gap Villages, with Vorovoro, Fiji, is a part of this agenda. Fiji has an abundance of natural resources and is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific Island region. The main sources of foreign exchange are tourism and sugar exports. Fiji is a developing nation with an exceptionally high literacy rate and education for boys and girls are at parity. However, according to the World Bank, the average Fijian lives on $12 USD per day. Fiji has a low-level of employment, and is very dependent on foreign aid. Improvements are needed in child mortality and maternal health.

Ecotourism

Bridge the Gap Villages in Fiji will address the many of these issues in Labasa on the northern island of Vanua Levu, formerly known as Sandalwood Island. Labasa is primarily an agricultural area dependent upon sugar cane. Sugar cane farming and production has been decreasing due to the loss of overseas markets and political changes. Labasa is off the traditional tourist track but has enough local amenities to support the start-up of an ecotourism center. Tourism is becoming a major industry on Vanau Levu.

Empowering Women

Bridge the Gap Villages will be working to improve the economic stability in the region through ecotourism. Additionally, Bridge the Gap Villages will improve the economic outlook for women through the unique mentoring program. By empowering women, Bridge the Gap Villages will reduce the child mortality rate and improve maternal health.

Creating Global Partnerships

Finally, Bridge the Gap Villages will be part of the process of creating global partnerships for economic development in other counties. Fiji is one of the United Nations Small Island Developing States. The importance of Small Island Developing States is the recognition that Fiji, along with fifty-one other small islands states, shares unique vulnerabilities in economic, environmental and social development. The lessons learned by Bridge the Gap Villages in the development of ecotourism on Vorovoro, Fiji will be applied in the development of additional ecotourism sites throughout the world.

Travelers and guests of Bridge the Gap Villages can be certain that their visit to Vorovoro, Fiji will contribute to the preservation and development of the native environment, the local people, and be a participant in one of the most exciting social movements in the world.

Childhood ADHD Causes Can Be Due to Maternal Health Status

There are many environmental risk factors for childhood ADHD. If you've seen our article archive, the onset of ADHD involves a complex combination of genetics, diet, lifestyle, and the physical environment. A new study suggests another factor that can predict ADHD in a child - the health status of the mother.

The study, which was published in the journal Medical Care, looked at records from a database of Northern California residences. The researchers divided the mothers into three groups - mothers of children diagnosed with ADHD, mothers of children who do not have ADHD, and mothers of asthmatic children. The researchers then compared the medical history, use of health care, and costs of health care across the three groups.

The data showed that mothers with children who have ADHD are more likely to have health conditions like anxiety disorder and depression, and were more likely to make use of health services a year before or after giving birth than mothers whose children have no ADHD or have asthma. The mothers of ADHD children also spent more money on health care the year before or after giving birth compared to those whose children do not have ADHD or have asthma.

This was not the first study to confirm the link between maternal health and the risk of childhood ADHD. A study published in a 1985 issue of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry discovered that risk factors for ADHD included poor maternal health during pregnancy, previous miscarriage, first pregnancy, premature birth, long labor, and young maternal age.

Of course, the state of the mother's health is no guarantee that her child will suffer from ADHD or its related disorders. As mentioned earlier, a host of environmental factors contribute to the symptoms, which leads to the ADHD diagnosis. What's useful about studies like this one is that it allows you to take preventive measures if you recognize these risk factors fear that your child is a candidate for ADHD.

What are these preventive measures? For starters, there is evidence that breastfeeding an infant will reduce the risk of ADHD, as compared to using infant formula. Human breast milk is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are needed to form the physical structure of the brain. Of course, this is assuming that the mother has enough omega-3 fats in the body to meet the infant's dietary requirements. If you are breastfeeding, make sure to take around 2,000mg of fish oil supplements rich in the omega-3 fat DHA.

Diet is especially important in the prevention and management of ADHD. Most children with the disorder have a preference for fatty, salty food with zero nutritional value. As a result, they end up being deficient in key nutrients required for proper brain functioning. The great thing about young children is that their food preferences are easily influenced; teach your children to eat vegetables, fish, and cooked food and minimize the availability of junk food and fast food.

Finally, try to buy organic food when possible. Recent studies confirm that children are vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables, and that kids with ADHD have higher pesticide levels in the body than those who do not. Simply buying organic versions of the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables is enough to reduce your children's exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

Childhood ADHD Causes Can Be Due to Maternal Health Status


There are many environmental risk factors for childhood ADHD. If you've seen our article archive, the onset of ADHD involves a complex combination of genetics, diet, lifestyle, and the physical environment. A new study suggests another factor that can predict ADHD in a child - the health status of the mother.

The study, which was published in the journal Medical Care, looked at records from a database of Northern California residences. The researchers divided the mothers into three groups - mothers of children diagnosed with ADHD, mothers of children who do not have ADHD, and mothers of asthmatic children. The researchers then compared the medical history, use of health care, and costs of health care across the three groups.

The data showed that mothers with children who have ADHD are more likely to have health conditions like anxiety disorder and depression, and were more likely to make use of health services a year before or after giving birth than mothers whose children have no ADHD or have asthma. The mothers of ADHD children also spent more money on health care the year before or after giving birth compared to those whose children do not have ADHD or have asthma.

This was not the first study to confirm the link between maternal health and the risk of childhood ADHD. A study published in a 1985 issue of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry discovered that risk factors for ADHD included poor maternal health during pregnancy, previous miscarriage, first pregnancy, premature birth, long labor, and young maternal age.

Of course, the state of the mother's health is no guarantee that her child will suffer from ADHD or its related disorders. As mentioned earlier, a host of environmental factors contribute to the symptoms, which leads to the ADHD diagnosis. What's useful about studies like this one is that it allows you to take preventive measures if you recognize these risk factors fear that your child is a candidate for ADHD.

What are these preventive measures? For starters, there is evidence that breastfeeding an infant will reduce the risk of ADHD, as compared to using infant formula. Human breast milk is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are needed to form the physical structure of the brain. Of course, this is assuming that the mother has enough omega-3 fats in the body to meet the infant's dietary requirements. If you are breastfeeding, make sure to take around 2,000mg of fish oil supplements rich in the omega-3 fat DHA.

Diet is especially important in the prevention and management of ADHD. Most children with the disorder have a preference for fatty, salty food with zero nutritional value. As a result, they end up being deficient in key nutrients required for proper brain functioning. The great thing about young children is that their food preferences are easily influenced; teach your children to eat vegetables, fish, and cooked food and minimize the availability of junk food and fast food.

Finally, try to buy organic food when possible. Recent studies confirm that children are vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables, and that kids with ADHD have higher pesticide levels in the body than those who do not. Simply buying organic versions of the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables is enough to reduce your children's exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

Maternal America Has Fashionable Maternity Clothes


For trendy, fashionable, and well-cut maternity clothing, Maternal America is a must. Their designs are fresh and fabulous, perfect for the stylish mom. From running errands around town to having a special date night, they have something for every occasion. A great pair of jeans, some flattering blouses and a go-to dress are a must for one's maternity wardrobe, and Maternal America has many great options.

An important necessity in any expectant mother's wardrobe is a great jean, and one of the most universally flattering styles is a straight jean with a flair. The straight cut creates a long and lean look which slims one's overall shape. Wider leg jeans are also in style this season, making this cut both a fashionable and flattering choice. When looking for a wash, choose one that is not too faded. The darker the jean, the more slimming it is. Lighter wash jeans are okay as well, as long as the fading is not done horizontally across the thigh area, as this look can appear younger and less flattering. Maternal America's Megan Black Jean meets all these requirements. Its flattering flair cut is perfect, and the black wash makes it perfect for day or night. A supportive belly band makes them super comfy, as does the stretchy denim fabric. The four pocket design and accent stitching at the hem complete these jeans beautifully. Equally as cute, Maternal America's Pintuck Jean is another great option. They fit comfortably beneath the belly with their stretchy waistband, and the flair is incredibly flattering. The permanent front stitched-in crease is elongating, creating an overall leaner and slimmer look. For flattering and fashionable jeans, Maternal America designs the perfect pairs.

Having some stylish maternity tops that can be worn both day and night will make choosing outfits much easier and quicker. Maternal America's designs flatter one's baby bump while staying up to date on the latest styles and trends. One favorite design this season is the Fish Tail Maternity Sweater. The shorter in the front, longer in the back style is very popular this season and this option is a great choice. The pretty charcoal grey sweater is long enough in the front to cover one's baby bump while adding a fashionable tail on the back. Super soft, it looks great paired with boot cut jeans during the day or skinny black jeans and heels for an evening out. Another beautiful option is the Laced Sleeve Kimono Top. The blue and aqua cheetah motif is right on this year's animal print trend, and the empire waist design is incredibly figure flattering. The side stitching creates a great fit over one's belly so that no tenting occurs. Pair it with one's favorite pair of jeans or even a pencil skirt for office wear. These tops are both great options as they are comfortable to wear and help to instantly create an outfit.

Another must have article of clothing during one's pregnancy is a great maternity dress. Maternity dresses create an outfit in one step, making them a quick and easy to wear option. Find a dress that highlights one's baby bump while emphasizing the smallest part of one's body underneath one's bust. For the fall and winter seasons, Maternal America's Scoop Neck Front Tie Dress is a must. This gorgeous dress features a black fitted Lycra bodice with ¾ length sleeves and a herringbone skirt. A front tie sash at the empire waist creates a very slimming look, and the fabric of the skirt flows beautifully over one's belly. Wear it with black tights and pumps for an easy work to evening look. For a dressier option, the Halter Dress is perfect. The halter style shows off one's collar bone beautifully and features an eye-catching beaded centerpiece. With an empire waist and hitting just below the knee, it is perfect for one's holiday parties!

From jeans to dresses, Maternal America's designs are fashionable and flattering, ensuring one will look and feel amazing no matter what one is doing.

Amy Jarman is owner of TummyStyle.com selling maternity clothes and nursing clothes & maternity swimwear by BelaBumBum, Majamas, Maternal America, Japanese Weekend, Noppies, 1 in the Oven, and Olian Maternity!

Maternity Swimwear: Maternal America Is An Option


There are many great maternity swimwear options available for the expectant mother, but it can be a bit overwhelming trying to find that perfect swimsuit that will make one look and feel amazing. A good place to start is with a well-known designer, where one knows the quality and style of the swimwear. Maternal America is one such designer, who features stylish, trendy, and comfortable maternity swimwear. From bikinis to tankinis to one-pieces, one is sure to find the swimsuit that is right for you.

Many pregnant celebrities have been popularizing the maternity bikini, and it is a style that women around the country have been embracing! If one liked to wear a bikini before pregnancy, there is no need to change now. Bikinis are a great option because they allow plenty of room for one's baby bump to grow, and really celebrate the beautiful pregnant body. The Jill Boy Bikini is a cute and comfy bikini with a slightly retro vibe. The pink, fruit punch color is perfect for the summer months and the adjustable halter straps ensure comfort throughout one's pregnancy. The super cute boy shorts provide a bit of extra coverage and make sure one is well-covered throughout the day. Slightly sexy, stylish, and super comfortable, maternity bikinis are a great choice for the expectant mother who wants to show off her beautiful belly.

If a bikini is a bit too daring, try the always popular tankini style. With the feel of a bikini yet the coverage of a one-piece, a tankini is flirty and functional. The ever popular Jenni Tankini is a fabulous option, and it is available in a gorgeous hibiscus print. The black and white floral motif is classy, and the beautiful deep pink trim adds a fun touch. The adjustable halter tie culminates at the O-ring bust, creating a gorgeous neckline. The rest of the top flows flatteringly over one's baby bump, and the adjustable tie bottoms sit comfortably beneath one's belly. Pair it with a black cover-up for a stylish, poolside look. A classic, black swimsuit is always in style, and another tankini option is the Black Flutter Halterkini. Super sexy, this maternity swimsuit features a halter tie top and padded bra, with a mesh overlay that falls over one's belly. It provides a hint of see through without baring one's entire bump. The bikini bottoms tie to ensure fit throughout one's pregnancy. Classy with a hint of sexiness, this maternity swimwear option is sure to make one look and feel incredible.

One-piece maternity swimwear is another popular design, as it ensures comfort throughout the day while still being stylish. For women who like to swim a lot, a one piece is a good option to make sure nothing slips while swimming lengths in the pool. For a super stylish option, try the Martha Tankini. This one-piece swimsuit in a gorgeous chocolate brown features an adjustable halter tie neck that is embellished with beautiful beading. A slight sweetheart neck and padded bra provide a very flattering shape. With stretchy fabric, this swimsuit will be comfortable throughout one's pregnancy.

Along with beautiful maternity swimwear, Maternal America also designs fabulous beach cover-ups. A must-have is their Tunic Swimsuit Cover-Up, available in solid black or white. Made of stretchy, soft, breathable fabric, it is the perfect thing to throw on at the beach, pool, or around the house. A V-neck design creates an elongating look, and the empire-waist tie is figure flattering. It flows nicely over one's baby bump and the adjustable tie ensures fit throughout one's pregnancy.

Maternal America is a fashionable, stylish designer who knows what expectant mothers are looking for. With swimwear that is comfy and cute, there are many options for everyone to choose from.

Amy Jarman is owner of maternity and nursing clothes store Tummystyle.com with a wide selection of maternity swimwear, for your pregnancy by designers such as Prego Maternity, Maternal America & Belabumbum. TummyStyle has sells over 60 style of maternity swimsuits and can provide expert advice in fitting, comfort and style.

All About Maternal Fetal Medicine Jobs


Maternal fetal medicine specialists are also referred to as high risk obstetricians or perinatologists. These are medical professionals who specialize in dealing with complicated pregnancies. Although there are many reasons why a pregnant woman may be referred to a high risk obstetrician, the main conditions are grouped into four categories which include previous high-risk pregnancy, poor mother health (pregnancy induced condition or a pre-existing condition), high risk fetus health (e.g. trisomy) or a combination of any of the above conditions. Maternal fetal medicine jobs require trainees to undergo rigorous training which is then followed by certification and licensure.

Training for Maternal Fetal Medicine Jobs

If you have a dream to pursue this line of career, you should start making preparations as early as high school. Good grades in mathematics and sciences will be very crucial as you prepare for this career. After passing high school, you will be accepted in a college or a university. At this level, you should pursue a related science course such as premed or its equivalent. The courses you take at this level will lead you to medical school. Before you are accepted in any medical school, you will be required to pass Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

Attaining a good score on the MCAT will increase your chances of being accepted to a medical school. It is important for you to note that the competition to get into medical schools is very stiff and therefore you should give your best while taking the MCAT. At medical school, you should take a program in obstetrics and gynecology. The program will run for four or five years depending on the program. Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded a Medical degree (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree. The Medical degree is usually followed by residency in either gynecology or obstetrics.

Certification for Maternal Fetal Medicine Jobs

After completing the degree and residency programs, you should apply for certification in your state. Remember that you will only be certified after passing an oral and written examination which is administered by ABOG (American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology). After certification, you should complete a three years' fellowship program in maternal fetal medicine after which you will seek the ABOG certification in the sub-specialty maternal fetal medicine.

Job Description of a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist

A maternal fetal medicine specialist will diagnose and treat high-risk pregnancies to ensure the safety of both the mother and the fetus. He or she will also determine the most appropriate method for child delivery.

With the ever-increasing population, the likelihood that the demand for maternal fatal medicine specialists will increase is great. The title and salary of these specialists will be determined by the academic qualifications as well as by number of years of experience. Maternal fetal medicine jobs are found in hospitals, private clinics, research institutions, and so on. Depending on the region and position of the specialist, the salaries will vary. However, the median salary is around $373,129. Once you have become a perinatologist, it is always advisable to ensure that you keep your licensure and certification up to date.

Child Health Secrets Found in Chiropractic

Sometimes we as parents must deal with the ominous burden of providing for kids diagnosed with brain injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. Even for parents who are lucky enough to have children that are in good health, young ones are frequently prone to a lot of accidents, and child accident injuries can affect bones, muscles, and joints. For those who care for injured kids and those with disabilities, simply knowing that certain remedies within today's alternative and traditional medicine can provide a great deal of help to their children is often a tremendous relief. These treatments can not only further healing and recovery in child accident injuries, but also increase development in children with disabilities.

An example of one of these kinds of treatments that can be very beneficial is children chiropractic. If you are a parent dealing with child accident injuries, it is important to know that the care of your child is the best available, and that your child recovers rapidly. When tiny body parts are recovering from any kind of accident, you should follow your family doctor advice, but seeking the aid of a professional that specializes in children chiropractic can also be helpful.

The greatest child health secrets from all over the globe are those that children chiropractors have known for decades. The benefits of children chiropractic are not only increased healing time when it comes to child accident injuries, but also improved balance and developmental skills and improvement in a number of childhood conditions. Due to children's increased level of activity, child accident injuries are more likely, and spinal misalignment in children can lead to many other illnesses and injuries in adult life as well.

Children's chiropractic is one of the best child health secrets today, and the center of much family doctor advice. The oldest forms of preventive medicine out there, chiropractic can help improve posture and balance, and also is beneficial for a lot of other health conditions. Science has proven that children chiropractic can do a lot to reduce risk of injury and strengthen bones and muscles. It is obvious that preventive measures should start at a young age, and children chiropractic can even help babies. These early measures lead to a stronger immune system and better health that can last a lifetime.

No matter what the age of your child, seeing a children's chiropractor early can be one of the best things that you will ever do for your child and their health. Early children chiropractic reduces child accident injuries and improves developmental skills in children with disabilities. The past has demonstrated that there are times when your family doctor advice is not all that you need to keep your child well, and guardians must use other practices so that child accident injuries and other conditions can be prevented in the first place. Children's chiropractic is one of the best child health secrets known to man, and it can protect your child for the rest of their life by making them stronger and more balanced.

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Healthy Meals For Children

Creating meals for children can be a task. Knowing what your child likes to eat and being able to offer them healthy meals based on their preferences can be difficult at times. Likewise, making sure that your child has healthy nutritious meals and snacks each day can be very easy to do if you are willing to be creative with your child's meals and offer them a variety of healthy options at meal or snack time. 

One of the biggest difficulties for a parent is making sure that their children have healthy snacking options. In a world where salty chips, greasy French fries and sweet pastries are supreme it can be pretty hard to convince you child that healthy fruits and vegetables are better as snacking options. There are a number of healthy snack options that are sure to please your child. Slicing veggies such as carrots and celery and dipping them in peanut butter is a nice snack. Fresh fruit is always a great option. Keeping a little snack bag with apple slices, orange sections or bunches of grapes readily available for your child is advisable. If possible place fruit and veggies in small containers on your kitchen table for your child to eat whenever he or she wants to. Introducing your child to healthy snacking options at an early age will ensure that they understand that fruits and veggies are good and delicious to eat. 

Making sure that your children eat balanced meals everyday is important. Children need a significant amount of vitamins and minerals during their younger years because they have growing bodies that demand nourishment. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it provides a significant amount of energy to begin one's day. This is especially true for school aged children. Make sure your child has a decent breakfast that includes some form of whole grain and protein source. Lunch can be difficult to monitor if you have school aged children. Many schools are trying to provide healthier school lunch options for students. If you are concerned about the quality of school lunch at your child's school you can always pack you child's lunch. When children arrive home from school make sure there are healthy snacking options in your fridge as children usually need a snack to hold them over until dinner. Dinner should be well balanced and the portions size appropriate. Dinner should include a lean protein source, vegetables and a whole grain if possible. 

In providing healthy snacks and meals it is important to remember that children will be children and letting them have the occasional sweet treat is okay. The saying everything in moderation definitely applies to letting your children indulge in goodies. If you are someplace like an amusement park obviously you child will want the traditional amusement park fair such as cotton candy, hot dogs and sodas. As a parent you must monitor what you child consumes and how much he or she consumes. An ice cream cone once in a while won't cause obesity. Practicing moderation and making the consumption of healthy foods a priority will provide your child with a healthy foundation. 

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Child Health, Safety and Nutrition

Health, safety and nutrition are three of the most important factors to consider when raising a child. In other words, every child should be raised with proper nutrition, good health and safety as possible, allowing him or her to grow with a great well-being.

Now, if you are one of the adults who have been wondering where on earth to get good advices for child health, safety and nutrition, I bet you would be happy to know that you've found the right place. Yes, this page will help you find the right places to go for child health, safety and nutrition advices. It is important to note, however, that these portals are just a few of the many online. But they are worth considering to get started.

So to find the best advices for child health, safety and nutrition, read on.

Health and Safety

Several researches have noted that in today's fast-paced world where the child's safety and health issues are rapidly growing, more than fifty sites online present health and safety guidelines for the public to consider. These guidelines are disseminated throughout the net, allowing the people to access this wealth of information as easy as possible.

A few of the worth visiting portals online that talk about child health and safety issues and advices are the following:

BrightFutures.org

Bright Futures is sponsored by a well-known health care organization, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration. This is also supported in part by the Pfizer Pediatric Health, and has been operating to provide the public the necessary information about the current and emerging preventive and health promotion needs of infants, children, adolescent, families and communities.

NCCIC.org

NCCIC.org is actually the official website of Health Child Care America, which is but a federal government initiative that works to increase collaboration between the early childhood community as well as the public health community. This collaboration is considered to allow these communities to create the best care for children in the childcare. Today, this federal government initiative is introducing its newsletter which is made available in full text online.

Nutrition

NAL.USDA.gov

This portal is owned by the Child Care Nutrition Resource System, which has long been providing the public with the wide selection of recipes, resources and information on how to prepare meals that are highly nutritious and safe.

BCM.TMC.edu

At this site, you can access the Children's Nutrition Research Center, which is but the first federally funded nutrition research center in the United States. This center is dedicated to investigating the nutritional needs of those women who are expecting and are nursing their children. This is great for child nutrition as it covers information about children from conception through adolescence.

So those are just a few of the many sites online that tackle issues on child health, safety and nutrition. Visit other online sites for more information about child health, safety and nutrition.

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Improving Children's Health Through Integrated Public Health and Pediatrics

In December 2012, an article was published in the American Journal of Public Health (1) highlighting the importance of addressing environmental and social determinants of children's health. The article was designed to present the major health challenges of children in the United States along with solutions that can be undertaken by primary care physicians and pediatricians. One of the primary conclusions was that pediatricians can and should become involved in the larger area of public health so that they can help to address environmental and societal influences on children's well-being.

Early on, children's health was understood primarily as the absence of disease. In recent years, however, the definition has changed to refer to other social indicators. For instance, a 2004 Institute of Medicine report entitled Children's Health, the Nation's Wealth defined health more broadly, such as the extent to which children can reach their potential, satisfy their needs, and develop successful ways to interact with their biological, physical and social environments.(2) This definition takes much more into account than just the physical state of a child. Not surprisingly, organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau adopted this new definition and consider it as they decide where to award funding, where to focus research efforts, or how to present policy recommendations. Likewise, physicians themselves have begun to integrate the public health approach with more traditional clinical practices and applied these to helping children and their families.

Some of the challenges that are discussed in detail and which are highlighted as issues to resolve include: child poverty and its related effects on health; racial disparities in access to healthcare and health insurance; obesity; asthma; mental health issues; environmental toxins (such as lead exposure, poly-chlorinated biphenyls, mercury, mold, and fluorocarbons); and access to adequate preventative dental care.

Historically, pediatricians have been participants in the public health system. They are almost always considered trusted sources of information for new parents, who may come to them with questions and concerns about their children's health. Pediatricians are also frequently involved in programs that provide care to larger populations, such as daycare centers, schools, or in local communities.

The residency programs completed by aspiring pediatricians used to emphasize the biomedical problems of patients more so than any type of social or familial influence. Now, however, it is recognized that these social and environmental conditions should not be overlooked. For instance, illnesses such as asthma, obesity, oral health problems (dental decay), and mental health problems are much more complex both in their causes and their treatment than the average "biomedical problem" (such as an ear infection). The new training in residency programs emphasizes a "population approach" to these larger challenges. This training helps physicians consider factors like the child's family, the community in which he or she lives, the larger society, and the environment when attempting to address clinical problems.

One example of a program using this integrated approach is the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Beginning in 2008, the department began a national effort to develop and implement a public health curriculum that could be included in pediatric residency programs. The project incorporated 12 public health competencies for medical education that were identified by the Association of American Medical Colleges, and input was obtained from more than 50 pediatric public health experts. This new curriculum was implemented in 6 residency programs, and the results were compared with 6 residency programs that did not have the special curriculum in place. The results of the comparison have not yet been released (the pilot was completed in June 2011), but will be of interest to many in the pediatrics and medical education communities. The hope is of course that an integrated approach to pediatrics training will improve patient outcomes and allow the US to tackle the looming challenges of obesity, asthma, etc.

In summary, the trends in children's health suggest that a broader understanding of what it means to be 'healthy' is an important step forward. By recognizing that there is more involved in chronic illness than just the disease itself, physicians can begin to integrate the vast amount of information from the public health sector into their clinical practice. A population-based approach to children's health, especially when incorporated into pediatric residency programs, can also contribute to better outcomes for all.

(1) Kuo A, Etzel R, Chilton L, Watson C, and Gorski, P. Primary Care Pediatrics and Public Health: Meeting the Needs of Today's Children. American Journal of Public Health 2012; 102 (12): 17-23

(2) National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Children's Health, the Nation's Wealth: Assessing and Improving Child Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2004.

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