Region 1
 |
|
From the desk of Darla Peterson, your Region 1 Regional Health Specialist.
|
The Regional Health Specialist newsletter is a monthly update that is intended for all community partners. In each newsletter you will find updates pertaining to HIV, STDs, and Hepatitis C in Iowa and other topics of interest. For suggestions on content, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
In this Issue:
- National Sexual Health Awareness Month
- National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (18th)
- Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH)
- Training Needs Assessment Survey
Did you know your Regional Health Specialist (RHS) is your connection to the Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis?
RHSs provide education related to HIV, STDs, and Hepatitis to a variety of audiences. The RHS can also assist with data and statistics requests. For data requests, please contact the RHS directly. To request a presentation from an RHS, click here!
National Sexual Health Awareness Month
The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA’s) defines sexual health as: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/ The ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Being sexually healthy means:
- Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior.
- Recognizing and respecting the sexual rights we all share.
- Having access to sexual health information, education, and care.
- Making an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs and seek care and treatment when needed.
- Being able to experience sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and intimacy when desired.
- Being able to communicate about sexual health with others including sexual partners and healthcare providers.
https://www.hrc.org/blog/talking-about-stds-can-be-awkward-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day -September 18th
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD) is observed each year on September 18th. In 2008, the AIDS Institute launched this day to bring attention to the growing number of people living long and full lives with HIV and to their health and social needs. In addition, there is an increased need for prevention, research, and data targeting the aging population, medical understanding of the aging process and its impact on HIV/AIDS. For more information visit The AIDS Institute.
#HIVandAging
Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH)
https://www.pitchiowa.com/
About PITCH
PITCH was formed in 2006 with the goal of providing emotional, educational, and social support for Iowans living with HIV. PITCH has come a long way since that meeting and they plan to continue to grow and expand in the years to come.
PITCH has been fortunate to host several successful wellness summits and they are ready to expand their goals to include increasing membership, providing more educational opportunities, and offering social support throughout the state.
PITCH has grown to 140 members. Their membership also includes community members that are not living with HIV (PITCH Hitters) but who support their cause and want to help move their mission forward. PITCH is an active, supportive group that welcomes new members with kindness, care, and compassion.
PITCH Testimonial: HIV and Aging Awareness Day-September 18th
“On August 23rd, I recognized being diagnosed with HIV for 27 years, I turned 52 on August 24th. In 1993, when I was diagnosed with HIV I was hoping to live to possibly 40 years old, it was before Antiretroviral Therapies (ART’s) were available. It is now 2020 and I am still here; spoiling my two grandsons, and working full-time at a job I love. Nearly half of all people living with HIV (PLWH) are over 50, I am lucky to be one of them. We can live long and healthy lives as long as we have access to care and treatment.” -Tami Haught, PITCH Vice-President
Training Needs Assessment Survey
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Bureau of Substance Abuse oversees the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Grant, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This grant focuses on the complex and changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic and highlights the need for an interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and cohesive public health approach.
We want to hear from you!
IDPH is requesting your input through a training needs assessment survey that will help inform statewide training, technical assistance, and outreach services through the OD2A Grant.
The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete using a computer or mobile device. All responses will be kept confidential. All data will be reported in aggregate, therefore no individual data will be released.
Please use the link below to access and complete the survey no later than September 7, 2020:
Access Survey Here
Any questions or concerns about this survey can be addressed to Julie Hibben at Julie.Hibben@idph.iowa.gov.
Thank you for your time.
Mindfulness Thought of The Day:
More Smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.
-Roy T. Bennett
Website Resources
The Iowa Department of Public Health; Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis; and the HIV Special Projects Division have numerous web resources available! See below for links and brief descriptions.
Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis: The Bureau’s website provides state and county resources as well as data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis.
Stop HIV Iowa: Our newest website provides information related to FREE HIV testing, prevention, and care services throughout the state.
PrEPIowa.org: PrEP Iowa houses resources for providers and consumers related to pre and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and nPEP). This website also has information on Iowa’s TelePrEP program - which provides PrEP care directly to patients using telemedicine.
Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal: The Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal serves as a centralized source for public health data.
MyIACondoms: Any organization can participate in the free condom program, visit this website to place an order, locate where you can access free condoms, or review sexual health information on the website.
Naloxone Iowa: This website provides information on naloxone or Narcan, which can be used to halt or reverse an opioid overdose. Iowan’s can access free Narcan from commercial pharmacies or request an appointment with Iowa’s TeleNaloxone program to have Narcan mailed directly to their homes.
|
