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Taylor Erickson

Honors 100
20 November 2016
Assignment 4 Global Challenges (Prompt 2)
The Global Challenges Event was a discussion that I was eager to listen
to. The interdisciplinary nature of the discussion is an approach that I find
very important given this topic. This particular event addressed the issue of
climate change and the differing facets that make up this problem. It reminds
me of another global issue that I hope to address one day, which is the issue
of the differing standards of living around the world. As an intended public
health major, I acknowledge the disparities around the world including
access to healthcare, access to clean water, and so much more. As a public
health major, Id love to help shift the focus to these impoverished nations in
order to raise the standard of living, which has been declared a basic human
right. Just like the speakers of the Global Challenges Event wish to take an
interdisciplinary approach to addressing climate change, I believe that taking
an interdisciplinary approach to raising health standards globally is the most
effective strategy.
One statement made by Dr. Lawson about encouraging dialogue really
stuck with me. I firmly believe that by encouraging dialogue about issues, we
can better inform others and draw attention to where it needs to be. Many
people do not realize the significance of climate change, or just how
prevalent of an issue it is, but by creating meaningful conversations about it,
there is a spotlight right on the issue itself. In public health, by talking about
some taboo topics such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
contraception, and economic disparities, our conversations are drawing
attention to these issues that need resolving. I also appreciated the
reference to our recent presidential election as not only can this outcome
affect our policies on climate change, but it can also affect our healthcare
system in the United States and our views on contraception and abortion.
This reference highlighted just how momentous this election is and how
interconnected policy is with health, environment, human rights, and daily
life.
At the University of Washington, I am choosing to pursue a Bachelor of
Arts (BA) in public health as opposed to a Bachelor of Science (BS) because
of the interdisciplinary nature of the requisites. Instead of years of hard
sciences, I can choose classes from a variety of departments including
political science, psychology, geography, anthropology, sociology, nutrition,
and so much more. I believe this is the perfect approach to improving
healthcare as there will never be a simple algorithm for improving daily life,
but will instead draw upon knowledge from a variety of backgrounds. The
approach to addressing and diminishing the effects of climate change will
also take an interdisciplinary approach, which was emphasized by this
conversation held between an atmospheric scientist, an anthropologist, a
leader in communications, a professor of geography, and eager college
students.

Another point Id like to make is the close ties between climate change
and public health. As air and water pollution rises, under-developed countries
are the ones that suffer the most when it comes to health and sanitation. As I
continue my journey of public health, Id love to study abroad to learn
firsthand about healthcare systems and how influential climate change will
be in foreign countriesperhaps in South Africa with the Honors Program! No
matter where I am studying, I will encourage dialogue on healthcare and how
we can work to improve it. I hope that this will be considered as a possible
topic for a future Global Challenges event.

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