Obviously this is a huge step in decreasing infant deaths in developing countries. Just in the past 15 years, immunizations have increased immensely, saving about seven million children. I'm really hoping that Lauren Braun will get more support from groups worldwide so that every child can be vaccinated. As Rod Blagojevich put it so eloquently, "Healthcare is not a privilege. It's a right."
Thursday, September 3, 2015
New bracelet delivers vaccination reminders
Lauren Braun, a former pre-med student at Cornell, has come up with the new idea of making bracelets for mothers in developing countries to remind them to get their children vaccinated. Braun first came up with the idea while working in Peru, taking mothers to clinics to get their children vaccinated. The bracelet, which is similar to that of a Livestrong band, goes around the child's foot and serves as a calendar of sorts. Beneath the four month date is an x, a triangle, a circle, and a square, which stand for the diseases pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, and the pentavalent shot. The pentavalent shot protects against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia, and otitis. When every shape is hole punched on the bracelet by the nurse giving the vaccine, then the child is fully protected. Braun tested the bracelets on 159 women, and 91% of them said that the bracelets helped them remember when to get their children vaccinated. Braun is also hoping to expand her project to Nigeria, Colombia, and Pakistan, and to even make bigger bracelets for growing children to keep the vaccines up to date.
Obviously this is a huge step in decreasing infant deaths in developing countries. Just in the past 15 years, immunizations have increased immensely, saving about seven million children. I'm really hoping that Lauren Braun will get more support from groups worldwide so that every child can be vaccinated. As Rod Blagojevich put it so eloquently, "Healthcare is not a privilege. It's a right."
Obviously this is a huge step in decreasing infant deaths in developing countries. Just in the past 15 years, immunizations have increased immensely, saving about seven million children. I'm really hoping that Lauren Braun will get more support from groups worldwide so that every child can be vaccinated. As Rod Blagojevich put it so eloquently, "Healthcare is not a privilege. It's a right."
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The article you chose was very interesting because it shows the importance of health in other countries besides the United States. Inventing a device to remind mothers of the health threats that can be very detrimental to their kids lives is awesome. Mothers from other countries are not as educated in diseases as other countries, so deciding to invent a bracelet to do so is wonderful. I cannot wait to see it out into use.
ReplyDeleteWhile the concept of a bracelet is innovative and possibly a good idea. However, why do mothers (or fathers) need a bracelet to remind them of something that should simply be a normal to good parenting. If the general population is choosing to have children, then they need to take the responsibility of going through the proper steps and procedures of being a parent. Here's a simpler option; memorize it or right the date on a calendar and be a good parent.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, for some parents that may be afflicted with some sort of disability that would hamper their ability to remember a child's vaccination date, then this would be good for them.
While the concept of a bracelet is innovative and possibly a good idea. However, why do mothers (or fathers) need a bracelet to remind them of something that should simply be a normal to good parenting. If the general population is choosing to have children, then they need to take the responsibility of going through the proper steps and procedures of being a parent. Here's a simpler option; memorize it or right the date on a calendar and be a good parent.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, for some parents that may be afflicted with some sort of disability that would hamper their ability to remember a child's vaccination date, then this would be good for them.
While you do have valid points, vaccinations in developing countries aren't a normal part of their culture. The bracelet is helping parents integrate it into their every day lives. Adding to that, doctors aren't as readily available to people in developing countries as they are here in America, so getting their children vaccinated probably isn't going to be their number one priority. Their number one priority is going to be getting themselves, and their families, food, shelter, clothing, and water.
DeleteThis is such an interesting article!! I love the idea and think that it is very advantageous for people in developing countries. I am glad that someone has created such an invention for these people to help them out :)
ReplyDelete