Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Play

Banking woes send consumers looking for safer alternatives, some Indiana communities resist a dollar chain store "invasion," and a permit to build an oil pipeline tunnel under the Great Lakes is postponed.

Play

Republicans say it is premature to consider gun legislation after the Nashville shooting, federal officials are unsure it was a hate crime, and regulators say Silicon Valley Bank was aware of its financial risks.

Play

Finding childcare is a struggle everywhere, prompting North Carolina's Transylvania County to try a new approach. Maine is slowly building-out broadband access, but disagreements remain over whether local versus national companies should get the contracts, and specialty apps like "Farmers Dating" help those in small communities connect online.

MO Groups Call Testing Key, Strive to End HIV Stigma

Play

Friday, June 25, 2021   

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- This Sunday is National HIV Testing Day, when people are urged to find out their HIV status to protect themselves and their sexual partners.

Nicole Massey, director of prevention and outreach for the AIDS Project of the Ozarks (APO), said there is a stigma around HIV and AIDS that started when the first cases were reported 40 years ago.

She acknowledged people may be apprehensive to get tested, but noted it's a simple and routine part of healthcare that people should get in the habit of checking, like they would their blood pressure or anything else.

"Our biggest barrier that we face right now is people just being so hesitant to even seek out testing services, because they're afraid what somebody might think," Massey explained. "We've got to get past that as a community."

Tomorrow, APO holds a free rapid HIV testing event at its downtown office in Springfield. Massey pointed out in addition to tests, a knowledgeable and welcoming staff will be ready to answer any sexual-health-related questions, and provide safe-sex supplies.

She added the pandemic had a negative impact on access to HIV and STI testing, and hopes testing and treatment rates will improve.

Massey stressed with the treatment options available, there is no reason to put off testing. If you test negative, you can take the preventive HIV medication known as PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis], and if you test positive, there are PEP [post-exposure prophylaxis] treatments that are easy and effective, from once-daily pills to monthly shots.

"We've got really good treatment for people living with HIV that is so effective that, if people get on that treatment and, and get their viral load to an undetectable level, they can't transmit HIV through sexual activity," Massey remarked.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, echoed the call for people to get tested. This year in particular, they're raising awareness of the many ways and places to do so, including self-tests at home.

Many local health departments and community organizations distribute free H-I-V self-tests, which also can be purchased at pharmacies or online.


get more stories like this via email
California is home to banks of all sizes, including 36 Minority Depository Institutions and 111 Community Development Financial Institutions. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank has put a spotlight on the safety and stability of the U.S. financial system. Now…


Environment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced an 18-month delay in permitting a controversial oil-tunnel construction project under the Great Lakes…

Social Issues

Advocacy groups said they are concerned about the lack of accountability surrounding Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's $388 million proposal to staff schools …


There are more than 7,004 certified nurse midwives currently employed in the United States, according to Zippia. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

The Iowa House has passed a measure to establish a licensing board for midwives. Iowa is one of 15 states currently without such a program, often …

Social Issues

By Jazmin Murphy for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Black Americans are the most likely to suffer from insufficient sleep. (ChadBridwell/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

March is Sleep Awareness Month and health experts say Americans are not getting enough of it. United Health Foundation data found more than 32% of …

Environment

Environmental groups are seeking greater input as California puts the finishing touches on its application to become a hub for hydrogen fuel productio…

Social Issues

This month marks 160 years since the first Medal of Honor was awarded by President Abraham Lincoln. More than a dozen of the 65 recipients alive …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021