Introduction
The Ted Talk video I selected, “The Simple Power of Handwashing,” by Myriam Sidibe, explains how we would get sick less frequently if we washed our hands more often. Sidible likens the number of sick kids from not washing their hands to a kid-heavy plane disaster. Around 600,000 kids get pneumonia or diarrhea due to improper hand washing (Merrill, 2019).
Discussion
I am interested in learning more about the issue of why kids do not wash their hands, as doing so is crucial for maintaining good health. The first step in avoiding the onset of a cold or diarrhea is to wash one’s hands frequently, especially before eating, touching one’s lips, or looking into one’s eyes. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addresses the value of hand washing and how it affects public health in this Ted Talk. Dr. Ghebreyesus notes that many people do not wash their hands as frequently as they should, even though it is one of the most fundamental actions we can take to safeguard our health. By highlighting how hand washing affects public health, this movie highlights the value of epidemiology and the individualization of healthcare.
The community would be more likely to wash their hands more frequently if they were more aware of the advantages. In addition, the school personnel and teachers can explain to the kids why washing their hands is so crucial. Children may be more able to listen when adults are used as role models because they view adults as such. Children learn through imitation, so adults should set an example by washing their hands properly and encouraging them to do the same.
Conclusion
Enhancing personal knowledge and skills for children who regularly wash their hands and stay in school is crucial because they are likelier to be healthy than youngsters who do not. Signs encouraging kids to wash their hands after using the restroom might be placed in the bathrooms to help them stay in school. The number of kids missing school because they are sick can be decreased if parents instruct their kids to wash their hands.
References
Merrill, R. M. (2019). Introduction to epidemiology (8th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Myriam, S. (2014). Myriam Sidibe: The simple power of handwashing [Video]. YouTube. Web.