All Posts in "public health"

Case Study: Building Trust in Rural Mental Health

The challenge of implementing culturally competent health promotion strategies is perhaps most critical in the area of mental health in rural communities. While rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide are often high, rural residents frequently face profound barriers rooted in cultural norms and systemic issues.

The Challenge of Rural Identity and Mental Health

In many rural settings, self-reliance, stoicism, and emotional toughness are deeply valued cultural traits. There is often a strong aversion to perceived “weakness” or “needing help” from outsiders. Consequently, seeking mental health services carries a powerful stigma. Furthermore, small communities lack anonymity; any visit to a local counselor or clinic may become public knowledge, leading many to avoid treatment entirely.

A Culturally Competent Strategy: The “Front Door” Approach

A generic mental health campaign featuring urban-style ads would fail spectacularly. A culturally competent approach focuses on building trust and reframing the conversation using familiar, non-stigmatizing community structures.… Read More

Terrell Gilkes by — November 28, 2025 in public health
Executive Summary: Impact of Food Deserts on Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a significant public health challenge, disproportionately affecting residents of low-income urban neighborhoods. This analysis highlights the critical role of food deserts—areas with poor access to affordable, nutritious food—as an environmental determinant that drives higher rates of obesity in these communities.

Key Findings

  • Retail Environment: Food deserts are characterized by an overabundance of convenience stores and fast-food outlets offering high-calorie, processed foods, while full-service grocery stores are scarce.
  • Barriers to Access: Low-income families face severe hurdles in accessing healthy food, including:
    • Geographical Distance: Lack of personal vehicles necessitates time-consuming and expensive public transit to reach distant supermarkets.
    • Affordability: Corner store pricing often makes nutritious options unaffordable, forcing reliance on cheaper, energy-dense foods to ensure food security.
  • Health Outcomes: The prolonged exposure to this poor food environment during critical developmental years is strongly correlated with increased childhood BMI and a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, such
… Read More
Terrell Gilkes by — November 5, 2025 in public health
Luxury Home Construction Trends

As the world’s population becomes increasingly urbanized, luxury home construction is becoming more common in cities worldwide. These homes are usually designed with their owners in mind to provide access to services that provide them with ease and comfort in their daily lives.

Projections show that the number of people living in urban areas will continue to increase in the next decade, so luxury housing development is expected to grow.

The luxury home-building industry is constantly changing, and trends come and go every year, just like interior design. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, renovating and decorating it in the best possible style, or you’re remodeling your current home, it’s worth keeping up with the latest developments if you want to create something truly unique, and with a bit of help from luxury home builders. Luxury, you can get it.

Rustic elegance and lots of green in the

… Read More
Terrell Gilkes by — October 7, 2022 in public health
Are Palm Oil Products Safe?

Products such as snacks, mayonnaise, margarine, skin care products, and so forth, would not be possible without the help of palm oil. Because it is an oily product, many people wonder whether palm oil products have harmful effects on the body. It is important to note that the palm oil available in supermarkets is already refined. Therefore, it has a more neutral colour and smell. This same refined oil is used in the production of many food products. The main reason for its use is that this oil prevents the products from being hydrogenated, which makes it a healthy oil. Products made with hydrogenated fat tend to cause serious cardiovascular problems. In this sense, companies prefer to use palm oil to make their products, because it is not only safe for people, but it also helps to create palatable flavours and textures.

What does RSPO mean?

If you are curious … Read More

Terrell Gilkes by — October 3, 2022 in public health
Public Health Major Jobs

Public health major jobs can include a variety of different fields. Some examples include Disease ecologists, Emergency management directors, and dieticians. Others include emergency preparedness workers and medical records technicians. Each position requires a different set of skills. By exploring different fields, you can determine which one is right for you. In addition, by talking to people who are already working in the field, you can get an inside look at what your day will be like.

Disease ecologists

One of the fastest-growing subspecialties within the field of ecology is disease ecology. Disease ecologists study how diseases reproduce and process in order to find patterns and treatments that can lessen the devastating effects of infectious diseases. Disease ecologists are involved in many public health major jobs, including developing and managing health promotion programs. Their work can involve working with management teams, outcome researchers, and educational materials to promote health awareness. … Read More

Terrell Gilkes by — June 20, 2022 in public health