Kanisha Blake, Author at Global Health and Education Projects

Breast Cancer Risk And Environmental Factors

by Kanisha Blake | Mar 23, 2020 | Blog, Blog & News

For most women, performing a regular self-examination on their breast and not feeling a lump can cause a sense of relief. However, not every woman has that same reaction and experience. A few years back, a close family friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. It took a toll on my family and left us truly worried. At the end of her journey, she became a breast cancer survivor and we all thank God for that. Nonetheless, throughout her journey, I wanted to do some research on breast cancer and understand the different solution that was forming to help eliminate this issue. As I dig deeper and make some important findings, I wanted to share my findings with you all. I hope that you guys can also understand the current research that is being done to stem breast cancer.

Routine breast self-examination (BSE) is necessary because it can help control the cancer from spreading by identifying it and seeking help early. Since 1994, experts say that many women have been affected by breast cancer. In fact, 1 in 8 women will have invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. There are many risk factors that can contribute to breast cancer, such as the environment and genetics.

There are studies that have shown an association between breast cancer and genetics. One study that showed the correlation is the sister study. The sister study, showed how genetics and environmental exposures of sisters who do not have the cancer compared to those that do. This study will help us understand why some people develop cancer and why others do not. As children are growing up, their breast tissue is developing and maturing, environmental exposures such as chemicals, diet, and social factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer later on in life. Understanding how environmental and genetic factors contribute to developing breast cancer is important to identify and design programs that can treat and eliminate this cancer that had impacted people that have it and their families.

For more information on topics such as breast cancer, I invite you to take a look at what we are doing at the Health, Environmental Education and Awareness (HEEA) program. On HEEA day, we educate members of our community on the relationship between the environment and public health. Experts share nuggets of life-saving health and environment information in a joyful and entertaining atmosphere. You too and your family and friends can on us.

I can tell you that human health is truly complex. But there is hope. Obtaining and empowering ourselves with the latest information and research on different health conditions is important for protecting your health. There are a lot of valuable information published by health care providers, researchers and other experts from around the world. You can read these articles for free and get updated information on health issues affecting mothers, women, children and families and other health issues online at the International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and HIV/AIDS. You can also read other interesting articles on public health, medical research, and how research is changing our lives at IJTRansmed.

You can also read more at
www.niehs.nih.gov;
www.globalhealthprojects.org/programs/environment/heea-program/; and
www.sisterstudy.niehs.nih.gov/English/about.htm

*At the time of writing, Ms. Kanisha Blake, MPH (Epidemiology) was a public health intern at the Global Health and Education Projects, Washington, DC, USA, under the mentorship and supervision of Dr. Romuladus E. Azuine.

Autism And The Environment: Explaining The Links

by Kanisha Blake | Mar 9, 2020 | Blog

Recently, I found out that my little cousin has Autism, which was rather shocking to my family because the disorder does not run in my family. I decided to do a little research to understand Autism and what he goes through on a daily basis. I saw that there are many researchers carrying out ongoing research that show the association with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the environment. It was interesting to read these studies.

The environment can impact the development of autism. First of all, autism is a brain disorder that affects the development of the brain. It can impact how a person interacts, learns, and communicates with other people. Some environmental factors that impact the development of autism are air pollution, prenatal condition, and nutrition. Currently, about 1 in 59 children have autism. It is estimated that for parents who have a child with autism, there is an increased chance of 2%–18% of having a second child who is also affected. There are 44% of children with autism that are average to above average intellectual ability.

Studies have shown that children that are more likely to have health problems due to the effect of high levels of air pollution on autism. Studies have also shown that mothers with immune systems issues, as well as maternal issues, can also increase their child’s risk of developing autism. However, mothers who take prenatal vitamins on a daily basis can lower their child’s risk of autism. Some ongoing research includes the discovery of causes and contributing factors for autism by collecting biological samples from children and taking information about environmental exposure, health, lifestyles, and sociodemographic.

Understanding how autism develops is important because we can learn why people with autism act the way that they do. We can try to change the environmental factors that cause autism and prevent future children from developing the disorder.

For more information, take a look at what we are doing at the Health, Environmental Education and Awareness (HEEA) program. At the HEEA day, we educate members of our community on the relationship between the environment and public health. Experts share nuggets of life-saving health and environment information in a joyful and entertaining atmosphere. And this includes information on support for children with autism and how we can help them to live fulfilled lives within our communities. You and your family and friends can join us.

Obtaining and empowering ourselves with the latest information and research on different health conditions is important for protecting your health. I can tell you that human health is truly complex. But there is hope. There is a lot of valuable information published by health care providers, researchers and other experts from around the world. You can read these articles free and updated information on health issues affecting mothers, women, children and families and other health issues such as HIV/AIDS online at the International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and HIV/AIDS. You can also read other interesting articles on public health, medical research, and how research is changing our lives at IJTRansmed.

Useful links:
www.niehs.nih.gov
www.globalhealthprojects.org/programs/environment/heea-program/
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Environment And The Developing Brain

by Kanisha Blake | Feb 24, 2020 | Blog

Each day, I found it fascinating on what our brains are capable of, such as controlling our thoughts, memory, organ functions, and speech. As we get older, we start to notice developmental disorders that are caused by the environment. I searched up some articles about brain development and I came across this article that discusses how the environment affects brain development. It was written by researchers from NIH and it got me reading to the end. I thought you’d enjoy learning about it.

The environment can develop numerous different disorders in a person, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children at an early age. It affects every 1 in every 110 American children and there is no cure. ADHD can cause a person to lose concentration or control of their behavior. There is an approximately 4.5 million children from ages 3 to 17 years old with ADHD. There is an ongoing research that shows the correlation between pesticide and ADHD, while other research has shown how diet can develop neurotoxic developmental effects. Another ongoing research is by in-house researchers at the National Toxicology Program who are developing a comprehensive test to identify the short and long term effects of early exposure to environmental chemicals, and the impact these chemicals have on adolescent’s behavior. This is necessary to conduct research on because it can help discover different solutions to this problem, so children or adolescents would not experience developmental brain disorders that are impacted by the environment. I continue to wonder how we all as members of the public can become aware of some of these environmental risk factors, and work hard to avoid them.

For more information I personally encourage you to take a look at what we are doing at the Health, Environmental Education and Awareness (HEEA) program . At the HEEA day, we educate members of our community on the relationship between the environment and public health. Experts share nuggets of life-saving health and environment information in a joyful and entertaining atmosphere.

I can tell you that human health is truly complex. But there is hope. Obtaining and empowering ourselves with the latest information and research on different health conditions is important for protecting your health. There are a lot of valuable information published by health care providers, researchers and other experts from around the world. You can read free and updated information on health issues affecting mothers, women, children and families and other health issues such as HIV/AIDS on our website at the International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and HIV/AIDS. You can also read other interesting articles online on public health, medical research, and how research is changing our lives at IJTRansmed.

Useful links:
www.niehs.nih.gov.
www.globalhealthprojects.org/programs/environment/heea-program/

Living with Autoimmune Diseases

by Kanisha Blake | Aug 18, 2019 | Blog

Like most of us, you wake up in the morning, you feel fully energized and refreshed, but then you start to realize not everyone gets to feel like this. Imagine waking up each day feeling fatigued and pain throughout your body. Well a lot of people that have autoimmune disease goes through these symptoms every day. As I was scrolling through the internet about theses illness, I saw an interesting article from the National Institute of Environmental Health about the association of autoimmune disease and the environment that I would like to share with you guys.

The environment can have an impact on autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are when the immune system is not functioning properly by causing antibodies in the body to attack healthy cells, tissues, and organs. It can impact any parts of the body and there are more than 32 million people that have an autoimmune disease. The autoimmune antibodies can start to form years before the symptoms of autoimmune disease appear. Autoimmune disease can develop through the sunlight and low socioeconomic status.

As I was reading, I saw that the author mentioned the environmental triggers that can initiate autoimmune disease. Some of the triggers include exposure to paint thinners, cleaning supplies, and nail polish. Another trigger is exposure to fine particles of crystalline silica and eating gluten. After reading this article, I realized that this topic is important and there should be more research to be done on this issue. Identifying solutions to this problem can help people not experience the symptoms of autoimmune disease and live a healthier life.

You can learn more about your health and how you can protect and improve your health. For more information, take a look at what the Global Health and Education Projects (GHEP) and volunteers are doing at the Health, Environmental Education and Awareness (HEEA) program. At the HEEA day, we educate members of our community on the relationship between the environment and public health. Experts share nuggets of life-saving health and environment information in a joyful and entertaining atmosphere.

I can tell you that human health is truly complex. But there is hope. Obtaining and empowering ourselves with the latest information and research on different health conditions is important for protecting your health. There are a lot of valuable information published by health care providers, researchers and other experts from around the world. You can read free and updated information on health issues affecting mothers, women, children and families and other health issues such as HIV/AIDS at GHEP’s global health journal on maternal and child health and aids. You can also read other interesting articles on public health, medical research, and how research is changing our lives at the journal of translational medical research and public health known as IJTRansmed. Finally, you can also write and share your comments on any health issue that you’d like to share. You never know who might be saved by reading that little piece of information that you write.

By: Kanisha Blake, BS, MPH (C). Ms. Blake is a Master of Public Health candidate at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA with a concentration in Epidemiology. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Wesley College, Delaware. She is an intern with the Global Health and Education Projects Inc. (GHEP) where she works closely with GHEP leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs, participates in supervised research, manages social media, and writes impactful blogs on public health issues.

Mold in the Home is Dangerous, Here is Why

by Kanisha Blake | Aug 18, 2019 | Blog

Have you ever walked in your home or school and realized that there was mold on the walls? I don’t know about you guys but the last thing I want to deal with after coming home from a long day of work or school is mold. Recently, I read this interesting article on mold published by researchers at the National Institute of Health (our research agency) on mold. Although I am a public health professional, I learned a lot from this article that I thought it would be a great insight for you guys to know. So I am sharing my reflections from that article.

Mold is a fungus that spreads through damp areas. Actually, there are different types of mold that can be both harmful and not harmful. Many people can inhale mold at school, work, or at their home. Inhalation is the main source of way that people can get exposed and there are many health effects that are caused by the inhalation of mold. People that had respiratory illness prior to getting exposed are most likely to experience adverse effects from mold.

The geographic distribution of mold exposure is different for each country. In the United States, the percentage of the population that has been affected by mold is 24% and 38% in Canada. For cold climate, mold has affected between 5%- 10% of the population. For environments that have a warm climate, 10% through 60% of the population has been affected by mold. People that are allergic to mold can experience symptoms of sneezing and wheezing. However, people that are not allergic can experience, eye irritation, congestion, skin rash, sore throat, and headaches.

People that are in damp and moldy buildings can have an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, infections, and shortness of breath. Towards the end of the article, it mentioned what the National Toxicology Program is working to help with this issue. Some of the future works include, designing methods that can accurately detect the levels of fungal products in floor dust samples taken from water damaged buildings. Another future work is distinguishing the different types of fungi in homes. The sampling involved are measuring temperature, air circulation, humidity, and carbon dioxide.

In summary, I can say that mold is a serious issue that can cause a variety of symptoms and death. It is important that public health officials continue with the efforts of limiting and preventing molds from growing, which can help control and eliminate people from getting sick.

I can tell you that human health is truly complex. But there is hope. Obtaining and empowering ourselves with the latest information and research on different health conditions is important for protecting your health. There are a lot of valuable information published by health care providers, researchers and other experts from around the world. You can read free and updated information on health issues affecting mothers, women, children and families and other health issues such as HIV/AIDS at GHEP’s global health journal on maternal and child health and aids. You can also read other interesting articles on public health, medical research, and how research is changing our lives at the journal of translational medical research and public health known as IJTRansmed. Finally, you can also write and share your comments on any health issue that you’d like to share. You never know who might be saved by reading that little piece of information that you write.

Breast Cancer Risk And Environmental Factors

Autism And The Environment: Explaining The Links

Environment And The Developing Brain

Living with Autoimmune Diseases

Mold in the Home is Dangerous, Here is Why

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