Technology helps improve disease awareness in teens

 

Some high school students say having access to the Internet has allowed them to be more aware of viruses and diseases.

 

Medical officials said the age of technology has caused people to be more knowledgeable than ever about influenza, sexually transmitted diseases and other illnesses.

 

Dr. Marinelle Quim, pediatric specialist, said she has seen teens having more knowledge about diseases and prevention.

 

“I find that teenagers often times know more about illnesses than their own parents,” Quim said. We’ve made a lot of progress in learning more about how our body works within the last 20 years and because of the Internet. Kids have access to pretty much all of it.

 

Quim said the consistent developments in technology have changed the way people learn.

 

“I can, with all honesty, say I didn’t know as much about things like AIDS, diabetes or even cancer when I was in high school. At that time I was studying by renting out books from the library. I spent hours in there and now kids don’t even have to leave their room,” said Quim. “Having the Internet and mobile devices literally gives them endless possibilities in the palm of their hand.”

 

Marc Valdez,16, a student at Paramus High School, said learning about diseases in school has made him much more precautious.

 

“I think a lot of high school students know a good amount about viruses, especially with the whole Ebola thing. It made me want to be way more cautious about my health,” said Valdez. Especially seeing on the Internet what happens to people that have cancer and infections, it makes you want to take care of yourself. There are posters everywhere you turn at my school telling you to practice safe sex or not to smoke.”

 

Valdez said with all the commercials and advertisements it is hard for people to be uninformed.

 

Michael Sebastian,15, a student at Teaneck High School, said caring for his parents has forced him to know a lot about how to treat diseases.

 

“My parents are really old and my dad has Alzheimer’s so I’ve always had to help him keep track of his medicine. We have a nurse that comes but a lot of times it’s just me and my mom,” said Sebastian. “Not everybody knows as much about illnesses as well as I do. Most people don’t have a dad with Alzheimer’s but for the most part I think teenagers know a good amount about how to stay healthy.”

 

According to a study done by the University of Michigan, the amount of teens who smoke has decreased from 23 per cent in 2000, to eight per cent in 2014. Many credit continually growing anti-smoking campaigns for these results.