Community Health Education and Resiliency Program

The ABCs of Viral Hepatitis

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, with May 19 being National Hepatitis Testing Day. As summer approaches and people celebrate graduations or plan vacations, it's crucial to stay informed about viral hepatitis testing and vaccination.

Here are some key facts about Viral Hepatitis outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis B and C are leading causes of liver cancer in the United States.

Both hepatitis A and B are preventable with safe and effective vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment.

CDC recommends all adults through age 59 and adults aged 60 or older with risk factors get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. If you are 60 or older and do not have risk factors, you may choose to get vaccinated.

About 66% of people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected and about 40% of people living with hepatitis C do not know they are infected.

CDC recommends that all adults get tested for hepatitis B and C at least once in their lifetime, and pregnant women get tested during each pregnancy.

Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or C.

Get involved this summer when you take time out from all the fun in the sun! Learn more about the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis to keep you and your loved ones healthy by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/HepatitisABCs.htm. To get tested, you can ask your regular doctor, or you can find free, fast, and confidential testing near you at https://gettested.cdc.gov/.

Embracing Mental Health and Resources during Mental Health Awareness Month!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing the stigma surrounding its challenges. As we navigate the complexities within our daily lives and in Native communities, it is essential to recognize the importance of mental health as a vital component of our overall wellness. This month serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that seeking help and support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

To support communities, individuals, organizations, and professionals in promoting mental health awareness, Mental Health America provides valuable resources. Their 2024 Toolkit can be accessed at Mental Health America's 2024 Toolkit. This toolkit includes practical tools and information that can help individuals manage their mental health and provide support to others. Like the image included, the toolkit also includes visual resources, such as customizable Zoom backgrounds and social media graphics you can download. These are designed to help spread awareness and facilitate discussions about mental health.

Native communities are increasingly prioritizing mental health awareness, emphasizing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approaches and community-based support systems to enhance the well-being of all people. Additionally, for those caring for Native youth, understanding and leveraging protective factors is crucial. These include fostering strong cultural identity, community connections, and providing emotional support, which can significantly enhance resilience among young people and communities.

The theme for this year emphasizes resilience and recovery, underscoring the ability of individuals to cope with stress and bounce back from challenges. By being encouraging and using resources like the toolkit, we can learn strategies to enhance our resilience, understand our emotions, and build stronger, healthier communities. Let's use this month to educate ourselves and others, making a positive impact in our communities.

CHERP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pharmacy Considerations for PrEP

May 1, 2024

1:00-2:00 pm (MDT)

Presenter

Bethany Johnson, PharmD

Indian Health Service

The Community Health Education & Resiliency Program in collaboration with Indian Health Service National Headquarters is hosting a three-part HIV PrEP webinar series.

Objectives

Perform a cost-benefit analysis of HIV prevention vs. treatment
Describe available biomedical interventions and how to choose a patient-specific regiment for PrEP
Learn how to initiate a pharmacy-based PrEP clinic

PrEP: Maintenance and Support

May 22, 2024

1:00-2:00 pm (MDT)

Presenters

Jodee Brewer, MSN, RN

Andrew Yu, MS, RN, ACRN

Indian Health Service

The Community Health Education & Resiliency Program in collaboration with Indian Health Service National Headquarters is hosting a three-part HIV PrEP webinar series.

Objectives

Identify strategies to maintain individuals on HIV PrEP
Incorporate DoxyPEP into HIV PrEP care
Understand how to counsel and safely discontinue individuals from HIV PrEP

Online Supply Orders

The Community Health Education and Resiliency Program provides safer sex supplies (condoms, dental dams, lube), HIV Self-Test Kits, Narcan, Fentanyl Test Strips, and Deterra Pouches to individuals and organizations in the IHS Albuquerque Area. Please use the links below to order your supplies.

Safer Sex Supplies and HIV Self-Test Kits:

www.aaihb.org/safe-sex-kit-request/

Narcan, Fentanyl Test Strips, and Deterra Pouches:

https://www.aaihb.org/narcan-order-form/

For more information about online orders, contact Kurt at kbegaye@aaihb.org.