SISTAs for Safer Sex HIV Testing

SISTA SOL at AID Atlanta is launching a monthly free testing event for African American Women! We encourage you all to come to our event , July 5, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm. We will continue this event every first Thursday of every month! So no excuses ;)

Center for Black Women Wellness

Center for Black Women Wellnes will be conducting a weight lost prgroam. Healthy Women 4 Healthy Families is a program that is focused on womens overall health. Join us to learn about healthy nurition, stress managment, and fitness.  The program is free, provides child care, lite refreshments, and weekly raffles.  Contact below for more infomation and applications process.

477 Windsor Street, Suite 309, Atlanta, GA 30312,  www.cbww.org  / Phone: (404) 688-9202 Ext. 32 or 10. / Fax: (404) 880-9435 fgriffith@cbww.org or frontdesk@cbww.org

Know Your Status

"Take the Test. Take Control."

June 27 is National Testing Day. Take the tes, know your status.

Are Black Women the Face of AIDS?

Women have been affected by HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, an impact that has grown over time. Women of color, particularly Black women, have been especially hard hit and represent the majority of new HIV infections and AIDS diagnoses among women, and the majority of women living with the disease. Many women with HIV are low-income and most have important family responsibilities, potentially complicating the management of their illness. Research suggests that women with HIV face limited access to care and experience disparities in access, relative to men. Women also experience different clinical symptoms and complications. Given these trends and issues, efforts to stem the tide of the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic will increasingly depend on how and to what extent its effect on women and girls is addressed.

The fact shhet can be found: http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/6092-10.pdf

Learning to Perform a Breast Self-Exam

The Black Women’s Health Imperative encourages all Black women to take 5 minutes to perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) in the shower, beginning in their 20s. Get to know your breasts with these three simple steps:

Step 1

In front of a mirror, with your arms by your sides, look at your breasts for any changes in size, shape or position, or any skin puckering, dimpling, sores or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples. Then, turn side-to-side to inspect the outer part of your breasts.

Step 2

With soapy hands, place one hand on your hip and with the other hand begin feeling your underarm for any lumps or thickening. Repeat on the other side.

Step 3

Raise one arm behind your head and use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.

If you detect changes, visit your health care provider for a clinical breast exam (CBE) or mammogram right away.

Georgia HIV Advocacy Network

On behalf of Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP, I am pleased to invite you to a special screening* of The Other City, a documentary film focusing on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Washington, DC. The documentary portrays healthcare disparities that also impact access to care and medication in Georgia. Following the screening, a panel will discuss access to HIV/AIDS care in Georgia through the lens of the challenges highlighted in the documentary.

Panel members will include The Other City director Susan Koch as well as key thought leaders, service providers, patients, and stakeholders from the Georgia HIV community.

WHEN: The screening will take place on June 26, 2012, at 6:00 PM

WHERE: The Loudermilk Center 40 Courtland Street North East Atlanta, Georgia 30303

If you plan to attend the screening, please RSVP to Brianna.mulligan@edelman.com.

We look forward to having you join us on June 26!

Breastfeeding as Birth Control at a Glance

Breastfeeding as Birth Control 

Sometimes called LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method)

A natural way to prevent pregnancy after giving birth

Effective, safe, convenient, and free

Lasts for up to six months after giving birth

When is LAM no longer effective?  

A woman who chooses to rely on LAM should be advised that the method is short-term (up to six months) and is no longer effective when any one of the three criteria changes. 

The LAM user should be counseled to use another contraceptive method for continued protection.

For more information visit: http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/lam_page3.html

Female Condom at a Glance

                                   

                              A pouch inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy

Reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infection

Can be used for vaginal and anal intercourse

Safe, effective, and convenient

Cost about $4 each

Easy to get

Using a female condom is safe, simple, and convenient. Women and men like female condoms because female condoms

• allow women to share responsibility for preventing infection
• are easy to get — can be purchased in drugstores and some supermarkets
• can be inserted by a partner as part of sex play
• can be used by people who are allergic to latex
• can be used with oil-based as well as water-based lubricants
• do not have an effect on a woman's natural hormones
• do not require a prescription
• may enhance sex play — the external ring may stimulate the clitoris during vaginal intercourse
• stay in place whether or not a man maintains his erection

HIV/AIDS in Georgia

Infection rates are high in Georgia and metro Atlanta. Georgia ranked 4^th in the number of new AIDS cases, 7^th in cumulative AIDS cases and 8^th in the number of persons living with AIDS in 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2005. Of the 19 public health districts in Georgia, nine had an AIDS case rate above the national average. 

  

Based on data from the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Public Health, estimates for metro Atlanta show more than 26,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, and more than 9,500 of these (37%) have diagnosed AIDS cases. The region accounts for 66 percent of the total AIDS cases in Georgia. Within metro Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties have the highest infection rates. 

President Obama on National HIV Testing Day

                             Leading by example.  HIV/AIDS has no borders.  GET TESTED!

deepsouth, a New HIV/AIDS Documentary, Premieres This July

The film deepsouth, follows a young black gay man from the Mississippi Delta who is doing his best to fight stigma and homophobia; two best friends who are preparing for their annual HIV retreat in rural Louisiana; and an Alabama activist who travels around the state speaking her truth.

Healing from Within: Tools for Lifelong Wellness

According to 2009 HIV surveillance data, women represented 24% of all diagnoses of HIV infection among United States (US) adults and adolescents in 40 states with long-established, confidential name-based reporting. In 2008, an estimated 25% of adults and adolescents living with HIV infection were female. Black and Latina women are disproportionately affected at all stages of HIV infection compared with women of other races/ethnicities.

SISTAs for Safer Sex HIV Testing Nights

Come get tested at AID Atlanta at our new monthly event!

SISTA SOL at AID Atlanta is launching a monthly free testing event for African American Women! We encourage you all to come to our event , June 7, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm. We will continue this event every first Thursday of every month! So no excuses ;)

National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS  to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control."

Join us and get tested!

HPV Infection Lasts Longer in Young Black Women: Study

Human papillomavirus infection tends to lasts longer in college-aged black women than whites, possibly setting them up for a higher risk of cervical cancer, according to a new study.

The researchers also found that black women are 70 percent more likely to have an abnormal Pap test -- the screening for cervical cancer -- than their white counterparts. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is a sexually transmitted infection, can cause genital warts and is responsible for many cases of cervical cancer.

To read the entire article visit: http://www.blackwomenshealth.org/news/2012/04/01/women-health-news/hpv-infection-lasts-longer-in-young-black-women-study/

Mother's Milk Does a Baby Good!

Breastfeeding Summit

Reclaiming an African American Tradition

July 19-20, 2012
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine

Atlanta, GA

July 20th is invite only

Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc. (ROSE) has joined forces with Morehouse School of Medicine, Satcher Leadership Institute, U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, and several other breastfeeding support organizations, to put forth the 2012 Breastfeeding Summit: Reclaiming an African American Tradition of 2012. This summit will focus on the disparities in the African American community and methods that can be used to increase the rate of African American mothers who breastfeed nationwide. Visit http://breastfeedingrose.eventbrite.com/ for more infomation, events and tickets.

Atlanta Jazz Festival

Jazz Festival 2012 Dates:
May 26-28, 2012 / Memorial Day Weekend

Jazz Festival Location:
The Atlanta Jazz Festival takes place in Piedmont Par and is FREE and open to the public.

Jazz Festival Contact Information:
For more information on the festival, call 404.817.7957 or visit atlantafestivals.com

Vision for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

AIDS 101 Seminar

Registration is now open for the AIDS 101 Action and Awareness Seminar on June 16th. 

Register today at www.aidatlanta.org or by calling 404-870-7818.  

This event will be held at Clayton State University, Arts and Sciences Bldg, 5900 North Lee Street, Morrow, GA 30260.  AIDS 101 runs from 8 am to 5 pm.  Breakfast, Lunch and all required materials will be provided at the event.   The fee to attend AIDS 101 is $20.  A discounted rate of $10 is available for students and seniors.  Limited scholarships are also available upon request.

AIDS 2012 International AIDS Conference

                                              "End Pandemic, Beat Disease, and Win this Fight"  

As the AIDS 2012 International AIDS Conference returns to the United States for the first time in over 20 years, the United States Government is talking about the real possibility of an AIDS-free Generation.

Get Yourself Tested

The real deal on STDs and testing is simple. If you have sex, use protection. Condoms are the only method that can help prevent STD infection so learn more about how to use them.

And if you decide to have sex, GYT — Get Yourself Tested. A lot of STDs don’t have any symptoms so getting tested is the only way to know for sure.

Take Charge. Take the Test

Take Charge. Take the Test. focuses on African American women. Young African American women can take charge of their health by knowing their HIV status — and by taking steps to protect themselves from HIV. Visit  http://www.hivtest.org/takecharge/ for more infomation.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the South

HIV prevalence data indicate that 43% of people living with HIV in the US reside in the Southern region.

The Southern region has the second highest HIV prevalence rate per 100,000 population.The Northeastern region continues to have the highest HIV prevalence rate primarily due to the high prevalence rates in New York and New Jersey - states where the epidemic began and where people have been living with the disease for long periods of time.

AIDS prevalence is also high in many Southern states, as Southern states/District of Columbia represent 6 of the 10 areas  
with the highest AIDS prevalence rates. 

Condom Safety Tips

      

Store condoms in a cool, dry place

Check the expiration date

Check condoms for damage 

Be sure to use only water-based lubricants

Never reuse a condom

Use a condom during any sexual activity 

2012 WOMAN Challenge

The 2012 Woman Challenge is a part of National Women's Health Week to encourage women across the country to get active.

Follow these steps to join our WOMAN Challenge group and compare your physical activity progress and nutrition goals with others, while receiving encouragement along the way during National Women’s Health Week and beyond!

1. Log onto the "President’s Challenge" website to register an individual account. (https://www.presidentschallenge.org/account/register.php?groupId=98214)
2. Once you successfully create an account, you are automatically entered into the WOMAN Challenge group and brought to the group’s page.
3. To begin setting your nutrition goals and logging your physical activity, click Tracker.
4. Interact with other team members by clicking Groups.

:)  Get Moving

National Women's Health Event

Aid Atlanta presents "Divine Intervention"
A 2012 NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK EVENT
Saturday, May 19, 2012 * Noon - 4:00 PM
Lunch will be served from 11:00 AM - NOON

Herndon Plaza * 100 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303

The event and lunch are FREE, but you
MUST REGISTER your organization and your clients for planning purposes. To register, please contact REINETTE ARNOLD at 770.318.1897 or reinette.arnold@team-moe.com.

Awareness is Prevention!

AIDS is a global pandemic that is impacting the developing world, the United States and people of color most dramatically.While African Americans represent about 13% of the total U.S. population, they account for 37% of the cumulative AIDS cases and 45% of the new AIDS cases. African American women have an AIDS case rate of 49.8, over 20 times the rate for white women who have a rate of 2.4 per 100,000 population. Georgia has an AIDS case rate of 59.1 per 100,000 in the African American population.

HIV is a global problem.  We are all effected....

HIV in African American Women

HIV Crisis with Black women

Recent data shows that African American women residing in Metro Atlanta are becoming infected with HIV at an alarming rate.  The CDC statistics show that black women make up 60% of all new HIV cases among women. Why are black women experiencing such high rates of HIV? Research says that it could be because of social, socioeconomic and environmental factors or because of a lack of financial independence.

Terri Gardner gives her personal account of her relationship and her HIV diagnosis in hopes of inspiring other black women to get tested and know their status.

• AID Atlanta www.aidatlanta.org
• African American Women Georgia: http://www.aanwg.org
•  SisterLove, Inc.:  http://www.sisterlove.org
•  HIV Prevential Trials Network: http://www.fhi360.com

•  CDC- Take Charge. Take the Test:  http://www.hivtest.org/takecharge

SISTAs for Safer Sex HIV Testing Nights

Come get tested at AID Atlanta at our new monthly event!

SISTA SOL at AID Atlanta is launching a monthly free testing event for African American Women! We encourage you all to come to our event which will launch this Thursday, March 1st, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm. We will continue this event every first Thursday of every month! So no excuses ;)

See y'all tomorrow!

Do Hormonal Contraceptives Increase Women's risk for HIV?

Some recent studies suggest the use of  DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, also known by the brand name Depo-Provera) may increase women's risk for HIV. The injection-method birth control is comprised solely of progesterone (versus other combination methods that use estrogen as well). Some studies have shown the progesterone in the birth control to negatively affect immune function, while others show no effect.

Either way, WHO (the World Health Organization) upholds their guidance on hormonal birth control and HIV, concluding that women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV can safely continue to use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.

What do you think? Read the summary report here ... And if you are science geeks like us, read the technical statement here.

Enjoy ;)

Why DIDN'T I Get Married?

We've had this statistic drilled into our heads countless times:

"70% of African American women won't/don't get married."

Tired of hearing it? Questioning the truth behind it? Here are two articles that clear up some common misconceptions and then go further to give possible reasons why you aren't finding Mr. Right. Read and weigh in!

Black and Female - The Marriage Question

Why You're Not Married

Happy Reading and Happy Valentines Day! :)