Get Yourself Tested

April is Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month and that means the annual Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaign is in full swing. This national campaign is a youthful, empowering, social movement to reduce the spread of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) among young people through: 1) information; 2) open communication with partners, healthcare providers, and parents; and 3) testing and treatment as needed. The GYT campaign was developed as part of “It’s Your (Sex) Life”, a longstanding public information partnership of MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The fact is that 1 in 2 sexually active people will get an STD by the age of 25. Most won’t know it. In 2011 in the state of Michigan, there were 39,067 new cases of Chlamydia, 8,908 new cases of Gonorrhea, and 172 new cases of all Syphilis in youth under 24 years old. Here in Washtenaw County, the latest available statistics from 2011 are that there were 1,061 new cases of Chlamydia, 164 new cases of Gonorrhea, and 5 new cases of Syphilis in youth under 24 years old. These numbers only reflect the information available from completed testing. There are a number of people who are infected but do not know they are, and therefore, do not get tested or treated.

As of January 2013, the estimates are that there are approximately 97 youth in Washtenaw County and 3,213 youth in Michigan under 24 years old with reported HIV/AIDS.

The only way to find out if you have a Sexually Transmitted Infection is to Get Yourself Tested. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests are done by collecting a urine sample. HIV tests are done by using an oral swab to collect a sample. Both samples are sent to a laboratory for testing. Treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea are simple one time dosage of antibiotics. Positive HIV infections are referred to specialists for further assessment and plan of care.

The RAHS health centers offer education and the opportunity to “get tested” to all of their patients every day. The nurse practitioners and physicians work with their patients to develop safe/safer sex behaviors to decrease the risk of STIs and pregnancy. Part of safe sex education is knowing the signs and symptoms of infection and also when to get tested. Patients 12 years old and older can consent for testing without parental permission.

In April, as part of GYT month, the RAHS health centers will be campaigning via texts and posters for all students who are sexually active to GET YOURSELF TESTED.

Local Resources for STI Testing and Treatment

• University of Michigan Health System, RAHS Health Centers
• Washtenaw County Public Health – Adult Health Program – 734-544-6840 
• HARC HIV/AIDS Resource Center – 734-572-9355 
• University of Michigan HIV/AIDS Treatment Program – 734-936-8186 

Other Reliable Resources

• It’s Your (Sex) Life 
• US Center for Disease Control
• Web MD

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

The American Diabetes Association works to prevent, treat, and cure diabetes by providing educational materials and resources, promoting awareness, and advocating on behalf of diabetic patients.

The UMHS Comprehensive Diabetes Center is hosting a Diabetes Health Fair in observance of the United Nations World Diabetes Day and the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Awareness Month. Join them on Saturday, November 10th from 9:00am – 1:00pm at the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel (3200 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor). They will offer free screenings for: blood sugar and A1c, blood pressure, cholesterol (LDL and total, non-fasting), kidney disease, foot problems (people with diabetes only), and more. If you are concerned about whether you have diabetes, or if you think you may be at risk of developing diabetes, stop by this free event on Saturday.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which a person has high blood glucose (sugar) levels, because the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy.

The glucose travels around our bodies inside blood vessels but it cannot be used as energy until it gets into our body cells. Insulin is the key that lets the glucose go through the cell wall into our cells. If there is not enough insulin there can be a lot of glucose (sugar) travelling around in the blood, but the cells do not have enough energy to work well, which makes people sick.

Types of Diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

–         Children and young people usually get type 1, sometimes called ‘juvenile diabetes’.

–         People who get diabetes when they are older usually get type 2 diabetes.

Did you know?

–       Nearly 26 million children and adults (8.3% of the population) in the US have diabetes –American Diabetes Association

–       Another 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. –American Diabetes Association

–       There are hundreds of people who are famous in all areas of life, from writers to sports stars, and they all have diabetes.

Effects of Diabetes

–       Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

–       Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults.

–       The rate of amputation is 10 times higher among diabetic adults.

Cost of Diabetes

–       The American Diabetes Association estimates the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the US at $174 Billion.

–       The cost of caring for someone with diabetes is $1 out of every $5 in total healthcare costs.

Are You at Risk?

–       Talk with your doctor or care provider and learn the risk factors.

–       You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by changing your diet, increasing your level of physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Myths about Diabetes

–        Diabetes is not that serious.

• There are more deaths per year from diabetes and complications from diabetes, than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

–       If you are overweight or obese, you will develop type 2 diabetes.

• Being overweight or obese is a risk factor to develop type 2 diabetes, but there are other risk factors – family history, ethnicity, age, and more, that lead to a person becoming diabetic.

–       Diabetes is contagious.

• No, diabetes is not contagious. You cannot catch it like a cold or the flu.

The Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools (RAHS) works with students in the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Willow Run, and Lincoln Public Schools to improve their overall health. There are Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs for students to participate in to develop better eating habits, increase their activity levels, and to help them lose excess weight. There are Registered Dieticians available to help students meet their weight loss and healthy eating goals.