All posts tagged Public Health

Ride for less with ORCA LIFT


What do you know about ORCA LIFT? My hope is that you’ve already heard of this program, and if you’re eligible, you already have your LIFT card! But – in case not – the ORCA LIFT program is a new reduced fare initiative, created by King County Metro. This means, that if your income falls within the 200% of the federal poverty level – you are likely eligible for this card.

ORCA LIFT’s reduced fare of $1.50 per ride (or $54 for the PugetPass which provides you with monthly unlimited rides) works on all Metro buses, the light rail, Kitsap Transit, the water taxi to West Seattle, and the Seattle Streetcar. Sound Transit and Community Transit buses are not participating in LIFT – so the reduced fare does not apply on these bus lines and you have to pay full bus fare. But you can tap the LIFT card and apply the $1.50 LIFT fare towards the full bus fare, and then pay the additional $1.25 to pay the full fare to ride.

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If you already have a senior card or a disabled card – don’t worry! The card you already have is a better deal – only $1.00 and less than what you’d pay with the ORCA LIFT card.

Not sure if you’re eligible? Here is the income breakdown, by household size:

  • For one person (with no dependents), you’re income eligible if you make $23,540 or less;
  • For a household of two, the maximum income to qualify is $31,860;
  • For a household of three, the maximum income to qualify is $40,180;
  • For a household of four, the maximum income to qualify is $48,500; and so on.

OrcaLiftCardStill not sure if you qualify? Give us a call. Here’s my phone number: 206.461.4494 and here is ORCA LIFT Project Coordinator Natalia Arredondo’s phone number: 206.461.4482.

Prefer to do a little research online? Read about ORCA LIFT on Metro’s website here.

Want to sign up for a LIFT card?

We have community drop-in hours in downtown Seattle, White Center and Redmond. Please bring your government-issued ID and proof of income (30 days of paystubs, award letter from DSHS or the unemployment office, or your ProviderOne card). If you have questions about what to bring, please call Natalia at 206.461.4482.

YWCA Opportunity Place (2024 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121)

  • Mondays 10am-noon
  • Tuesdays 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Thursdays 10am-noon

YWCA Greenbridge (9720 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106)

  • Tuesdays 1pm-4pm
  • Thursdays 1pm-4pm

YWCA Family Village Redmond (16601 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 98052)

  • Mondays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)
  • Wednesdays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)
  • Thursdays 1pm-4pm
  • Fridays 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch noon-1pm)

Maybe none of our locations work for you. If that’s the case – check out drop-in locations at other organizations.

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by ywcakatie on April 27, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on April 27, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/ride-for-less-with-orca-lift/

Youth leading to achieve an AIDS-free generation


In a recent Lifelong AIDS Alliance press release, a group of advocates wrote:

The CDC found that in 2010, youth ages 13-24 accounted for over a quarter of the new HIV infections in the US whereas in Seattle, only one in every eight people are diagnosed with HIV between the ages of 13-24 years old.

In fact, the CDC reports that approximately “60% of all youth with HIV do not know they are infected, are not getting treated, and can unknowingly pass the virus on to others.”

Last year, Ed Murray, mayor of the city of Seattle, proclaimed April to be Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Month. In the proclamation, he encouraged “all within Seattle to educate themselves and others of the very real threat HIV/AIDS continues to pose to young people and to contribute their talents to our ongoing fight on behalf of everyone impacted by this disease.”

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In truth, it’s the young people who are responding to this health issue that is still impacting youth and young adults. In Seattle, the youth HIV activists who urged for the city proclamation last year are continuing the awareness with hosting an educational community forum in celebration of National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) held yearly on April 10th. The forum will be held on April 18th Saturday 1PM-3PM inside the Auditorium at the Downtown Central Library which includes an honest dialogue about HIV and AIDS stigma affecting youth communities in 2015 as well as prevention efforts.

This is a great chance to hear from 4 positive youth in Seattle area and PrEP Advocate Panelists. “This event is so important because it’s youth developed, youth led, and youth run,” Manuel Vengas, Seattle NYHAAD Youth Ambassador from Advocates for Youth, recently said.

Everyone can do something. Engage with your community and family at home. Most importantly, we need to have these discussions with our youth – otherwise we are neglecting them valuable information. Even though Seattle recognizes April as Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Month, there’s still much to be done here and throughout the US as we strive to build an AIDS-free Generation. If folks can’t attend the community forum that’s understandable but there’s plenty of other ways to get educated and involved. There’s a list below of youth resources to get you started. Also consider joining Seattle area youth HIV activists, and regional community partners in a live twitter chat TODAY from 3-5PM. Join the Twitter chat by following @HEYOYouth and #PNWYouthHIV.

Let’s talk about this!

The forum is presented in partnership with the #MyHIVMoment campaign, a collaborative effort of Lifelong, BABES-Network YWCA, the Center for Multicultural Health, Entre Hermanos, Gay City Men’s Health, Seattle Counseling Services, and We Are 1.

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Youth Resources

Youth can drop-in for free, confidential HIV testing at Lifelong weekdays from 8:30a.m. to 5:30p.m. For a full list of testing locations, click here.

The Seattle Young People’s Project is a youth-led, adult supported social justice organization that empowers youth (ages 13-18) to express themselves and to take action on the issues that affect their lives. For more information, click here.

Health Education Youth Outreach (HEYO) is Lifelong’s youth education program for youth age 16-24. Through peer-to-peer outreach and education, HEYO reduces stigma around queer issues, promotes healthy sexual choices and makes HIV testing and other resources readily available. For more information, click here.

The Inspire Youth Project (formerly Rise n’ Shine) provides emotional support programs, stability, advocacy and AIDS education for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, click here.

Safe Schools Coalition offers support for LGBTQ youth. For more information, click here.

BABES Network-YWCA offers peer support to women & heterosexual men living with HIV and their families as well as HIV education and resources. For more information, click here.

For information about PrEP and PEP, click here or see the information below.

Harborview Medical Center
M-F regular business hours: (206) 744-4377
M-F outside normal business hours: (206) 726-2619
Or visit the Harborview Emergency Room at 325 9th Ave., Seattle, WA.

For Needle Exchange locations, click here.

For drug and alcohol resources in Seattle & King County, click here.

-Written by Tranisha Arzah, BABES Network Peer Advocate

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by ywcakatie on April 8, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network
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Posted by ywcakatie on April 8, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/youth-leading-to-achieve-an-aids-free-generation/

Honoring Women & Girls at Fred Hutch on March 10th


Join us on Tuesday, March 10th, to honor National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day!

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Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Where: Weintraub Building, Pelton Auditorium

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an annual observance to help raise awareness of the continuing need to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and shed light on the impact that HIV/AIDS has on women and girls. The event will feature a panel discussion with local women who have made a significant difference in the field of HIV. Representing the areas of policy, medicine, research, social services, and faith communities, panelists include:

  • The Reverend Mary Diggs-Hobson from AARTH
  • Dr. Lara Strick from the University of Washington and the Washington Department of Corrections
  • Dr. Connie Celum from the University of Washington
  • Dr. Kathy Brown from Group Health Cooperative
  • Nicole Price from BABES Network-YWCA

We hope to see you there!

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by ywcakatie on February 26, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network
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Posted by ywcakatie on February 26, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/honoring-women-girls-at-fred-hutch-on-march-10th/

Know Your Rights


As we begin the new year and consider how we want to live in 2015, it’s a great idea to consider how you want your health to be and any new health care changes coming your way. Maybe you would like to speak with a counselor about stress in your life, are expecting a new baby in the family, or are due for your first mammogram this year.

We meet with medical professionals for help and trust their expertise. But it’s also important to know your rights when it comes to your health care. HealthCare.gov shares information with us about new rights and protections we all have, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

How the health care law protects you

Here some additional rights and benefits, and information on how to protect yourself from fraud when you apply for insurance:

On top of what HealthCare.gov outlines as protections in the Affordable Care Act, there are protections and rights that directly support people who identify as LGBTQ. In 2014, LGBT HealthLink partnered with PROMO Missouri and lawyer Corey Prachniak to create the Healthcare Bill of Rights – a short document summarizing LGBTQ rights in the healthcare world now.

The creators of the Healthcare Bill of Rights write:

Your personal life and relationships affect your health more than you realize, so your doctor and other providers need to know your story.

We should all feel safe talking about our sexual partners, sex lives, sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity.

  • Learn how to file a complaint if you’ve faced discrimination.
  • See how you can find a medical provider who will respect your rights and identity.
  • Read how you can plan for your future care with a healthcare power of attorney.

Read the Healthcare Bill of Rights here:

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Learn more about the Healthcare Bill of Rights and its history here. And if you want your very own copy of the Healthcare Bill of Rights, check out the different versions available here.

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by ywcakatie on January 9, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 9, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/know-your-rights/

Cervical Cancer is Preventable


This month is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for us to educate ourselves about cervical cancer and the importance of screening.

Due to the availability of screening, few women get cervical cancer. However, many women are still not getting screened. Most deaths from cervical cancer can be prevented if more women had tests to find cervical cancer early. No woman should die of cervical cancer in our state.

There is good news:

  • Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care. A Pap test can catch cervical cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
  • HPV causes most cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Doctors recommend that both girls and boys get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12.
  • Under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all health insurance plans cover cervical cancer screening tests at no cost.
  • Women under 40 can contact one of these family planning clinics to ask about free or low cost screenings.
  • Refer low-income, uninsured or underinsured women ages 40-64 to the Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP).

Who should get screened for Cervical Cancer?

  • Women ages 21 to 65 should get the Pap test every 3 years.
  • Women 30 to 65 may choose to have the Pap test every 5 years if done with an HPV test. When these tests are performed together, it is called co-testing.
  • Women who have had the HPV vaccination should continue to get screened because the vaccine does not prevent all types of cervical cancer.
  • Women who have had a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer.

Educational materials you can use in your community:

Cervical-Infographic

Questions? Contact Kendria Dickson at kendria.dickson@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-3598.

Thanks to Public Health – Seattle & King County for the content of this blog post.

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by ywcakatie on January 2, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 2, 2015

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/cervical-cancer-is-preventable/

Winter Weather


winterweatherCan you believe it? It’s nearly wintertime. In the past, snowstorms and extreme weather have caught us off guard – and this year, we can all plan ahead to be better prepared.

To be safe on the roads, consult the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Winter Weather Response Map. The map will show you where snow plows have been and you can view road conditions via traffic cameras. For those of us who get around by bus, King County Metro will show you your planned Snow Route – just type in your bus route number in the search bar and click Enter on your keyboard. Learn more about what the Seattle Department of Transportation does to prepare for winter weather and who to contact for information by reading SDOT’s incredibly helpful Winter Weather 2013-2014 brochure. And if you’re concerned about other hazards and threats that might threaten your transportation – like flooding – sign up for an email or phone notification from the Regional Public Information & Notification emergency alert system.

On top of being safe while in transit, there are ways we can be safe in our homes. Thanks to Public Health of Seattle & King County for the tips below.

Be careful what you burn. Burning fuels like gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood can let off carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. To be safe and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Only use a generator outside and away from windows and vents
  • Don’t use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in a garage or in a car port
  • Don’t cook or head indoors by using a charcoal or gas grill

Carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like a splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get fresh air immediately and call for medical help from a neighbor’s home.

If you lose power, use different ways to stay warm. Try to stay with friends and family who still have power. Or, go to a city location set up for people without power. To find out where these locations are, visit www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare when there’s bad weather – they’ll have the location information listed. If you do stay at home, close all curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets. Everyone should stay together in one room with the door closed to warm each other and the room with body heat. Wear multiple layers of lightweight clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. And don’t forget to put on those hats and mittens!

And please do what you can to help others!

  • Check on elderly friends, family members, and neighbors to make sure they are alright.
  • Warn others about carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Invite friends and family over if you know they have lost power.

What other tips do you have on how to stay safe and warm this winter?

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by ywcakatie on November 10, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on November 10, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/winter-weather/

Know Your Body


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the time of year when we all strengthen our focus on breast health for women and men. If you don’t know how to examine your own breasts, take a moment to learn. If you haven’t had your mammogram yet this year, take a moment to schedule that appointment. And if you want to talk to someone about joining one of our mobile screening events, call Ingrid Berkhout at 206.461.4493, Marilyn Calbert at 206.461.4489, or Karly Garcia at 425.226.1266 x1006.

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by ywcakatie on October 1, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on October 1, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/know-your-body/

Living well with HIV


What is HIV?

To start, it is the abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that can only infect people and that weakens the immune system. Unlike other viruses, HIV does not clear out of the body – there is currently no cure for HIV.

According to AIDS.gov,

We know that HIV can hide for long periods of time in the cells of your body and that it attacks a key part of your immune system – your T-cells or CD4 cells. Your body has to have these cells to fight infections and disease, but HIV invades them, uses them to make more copies of itself, and then destroys them.

Over time, HIV can destroy so many of your CD4 cells that your body can’t fight infections and diseases anymore. When that happens, HIV infection can lead to AIDS, the final stage of HIV infection.

It used to be said that HIV was a “death sentence” – but nowadays, there are many options for treatment and medication, and programs throughout the United States to help patients afford medication.

Around the world, there are about 35 million people living with HIV. There are about 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, 12,300 living in Washington state, and about 7,300 in King County. In the United States, 16% of those living with HIV don’t know they are – which means they haven’t been tested and aren’t receiving the medical treatment that will help them be healthy in the long-term. What to get tested? Click here for more info on local testing sites.

For those living with HIV, medical treatment isn’t the only way to stay healthy. Having a good relationship with a doctor, and honestly and openly discussing your health is an important part of taking care of your health. And, there are additional ways to live well.

  • Manage your mental health – talk to a counselor if you’re experiencing major stress or just need to talk through some things.
  • Avoid using substances like drugs and alcohol in a way that harms your health.
  • Consider quitting smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. Smoking isn’t healthy for anyone, but it also can increase your risk of co-infections if you’re living with HIV. Learn more here.
  • Follow a healthy diet – talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about learning how to improve your diet. Are you getting enough veggies? What about protein?
  • Keep moving! Exercise increases your strength, endurance and fitness. It helps your immune system work better to fight infections.
  • Talk about family planning options with your health care provider – there are lots of options for birth control and ways to plan for having children.
  • Learn about how to prepare to travel abroad.

These are just some ideas. What do you need to be healthy and live well? Make sure to talk about your goals with your doctor, and find support to help you be successful!

If you are a woman living with HIV, consider giving us a call at BABES Network-YWCA at 206.720.5566. BABES is here to support women living with HIV and their families. We’re happy to connect with you on the phone or via email. Or, you can join us at a support group or upcoming retreat. We’d love to get to know you and have you join the sisterhood!

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by ywcakatie on September 24, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network
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Posted by ywcakatie on September 24, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/living-well-with-hiv/

How is your child’s dental health?


Our dental health is an essential component of our overall health. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can go a long way to keep us healthy.

Did you know that caring for our dental health should start as early as one year old? For those of us who have young children, it’s super important for us to model good dental health and teach our children good habits.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has shared a video with lots of tips and educational information to help us care for our children’s dental health.

Learn more about why dental health is important for young children and what you can do to promote your health!

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by ywcakatie on May 21, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Healthy Birth Outcomes
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Posted by ywcakatie on May 21, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/how-is-your-childs-dental-health/

You have insurance, now what?


Open enrollment through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange has come to a close, and lots of people living in WA have health insurance for the first time.

Enrolling in health coverage was the first step! Now – how do we learn about how to use our health insurance to help us stay healthy?

Public Health – Seattle & King County’s most recent blog post shares tips on how to use your insurance, now that you have it. Read more below!

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by ywcakatie on April 8, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on April 8, 2014

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/you-have-insurance-now-what/

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