LEAD WITH A QUESTION: Your response must lead with a question in the title of your post. This question should be thought-provoking and relevant to the week’s topic.
Example Title: “How Does [Topic] Impact [Specific Population]?”
Content Requirements:
ANSWER THE QUESTION: In the body of your post, provide a well-reasoned and comprehensive answer to the question you posed. You will need a minimum 65% curiosity score.
Your post should be well-researched, include relevant references (Textbook and Lecture content), and be a minimum of 200 words. Try to aim for 200-300 words.
Cite sources within your post and at the end in APA format (See Cite and Reference Your Sources) for help with APA format). Include information from lectures, textbooks, and outside sources like journal articles.
Using External Sources: You may bring in external sources like journal articles (in addition to the required course material) to support your points or introduce new perspectives.
Example: “In response to the instructor’s prompt/question about [Topic], I read an article by [Author(s) last name] which offers the perspective that… or showed that… or discovered that…”
Importance of Proper Citation: Proper citation is important for academic integrity and allows others to locate and reference the materials you discuss.
Thought-Provoking Questions: End your initial post with 2 questions that encourages further exploration and discussion.
Discussion Topics
When crafting your initial post, start by asking a thought-provoking question that connects with one of the topics below. These prompts are designed to encourage critical thinking and meaningful conversation. Feel free to draw on examples from the lecture, textbook, your own experiences, or current events.
Causes of Disease:
Heredity: How do genetic predispositions influence the development of certain diseases? Can you think of a disease where heredity plays a major role? What might this mean for public health strategies?
Trauma: In what ways can physical trauma lead to long-term health complications? Consider how a single traumatic event might set off a chain of health issues.
Inflammation and Infection: How does the body’s inflammatory response both help and harm us? What are some examples of infections that have a significant impact on public health?
Cellular Adaptation and Death:
Atrophy and Hypertrophy: How do conditions like atrophy and hypertrophy reflect the body’s response to its environment? What are some real-life examples where you’ve seen or heard about these adaptations?
Hyperplasia and Dysplasia: What are the implications of cellular changes like hyperplasia and dysplasia in the context of disease progression? Why is early detection of dysplasia critical in preventing cancer?
Organism Level Outcomes:
Morbidity and Comorbidity: How do comorbidities complicate the treatment of diseases? Discuss how the presence of multiple conditions can impact a patient’s quality of life and the approach to their care.
Signs, Symptoms, and Syndrome: How do signs, symptoms, and syndromes help healthcare providers make accurate diagnoses? What are some challenges in distinguishing between similar syndromes?
Disease Mechanisms and Public Health:
Impacts on Public Health: Considering what we’ve discussed about disease mechanisms, how should public health initiatives be tailored to address the root causes of disease? What role does early intervention play in disease prevention?
Textbook sources: Human Diseases 6th edition
YouTube Video sources:
What BMI does and doesn’t tell you
Cachexia – a type of atrophy
Cell Adaptations
Why do our bodies age?