Real World

Many Canadians take pride in the Canadian health-care system when compared to other countries around the world. With an aging population, there are increased pressures on the system and increased costs associated with the system. Gaining a greater awareness of preventable diseases and taking steps to minimize the chances of developing these diseases is one way to lessen the stress on the public health-care system.

Instructions

Step 1: Work through Training Room 4.

Step 2: Choose a major disease or condition on which to base your research; for example, diabetes, AIDS, a particular form of cancer, or a major surgery, such as heart surgery or knee or hip replacement. Confirm the topic with your teacher before getting to work.

Step 3: Research the disease or condition you have chosen, making sure to keep track of all your sources of information. Make sure you answer these questions:

• What are the causes of the condition or disease?
  
• What determinants of health might play a role in the occurrence of the condition or disease?
  
• What body systems are affected by the disease or condition? Is the disease one that grows from the cellular level? Does the disease or condition affect the whole body or only one organ?
  
• What is the treatment for the disease or condition? Include mainstream medical treatments as well as alternative or complementary therapies.
  
• How transferable is the disease or condition? Consider all levels of transfer, including genetic and person-to-person. How can the disease be contained?
  
• How can the disease or condition be prevented? Include mainstream medical treatments, such as vaccinations, but also consider alternative or complementary options.
  
• What roles do physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices play in preventing this disease or condition? Can physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices play a role in the treatment?
  
• Who pays for treatment of the disease or condition? What levels of health care are involved—federal, provincial, local? What are the implications for someone who does not have medical insurance coverage other than what is provided by the government?
  
• What are the rates of occurrence of the disease or condition in Alberta and Canada? What is the prognosis for someone who is affected by the disease or condition?

Step 4: Compile all your information into an appropriate, visually appealing, well-organized, and easy-to-read format. Edit your presentation for matters of correctness, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Step 5: Respond to the Formative Self-Assessment Reflection Questions. Save your responses in your project subfolder. Name the file “TRR5_Self_Reflections.”

Step 6: Submit your presentation and reflection to your teacher for assessment.