National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Feb 7 at Mount Zion Baptist Church1604 19th Ave Seattle. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Involved Free Dinner: 6:00pm - 7:00pm ... Main Event: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Master of Ceremonies: Renee McCoy PhD - Senior Prevention Manager for Lifelong AIDS Alliance Speakers: Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH - Health Officer for Washington State Martin Ndegwa - Community Health Educator for Project HANDLE Tonya Rasberry - Peer Advocate for BABES Network Rev. Linda Smith, D,Min - Pastor of the Church of Mary Magdalene Rev. Aaron William - Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Live Performances: The Human Harmony Choral Academy - Youth Choir New Revelation Choir - Choir Selam Gebrekidan - Poet Storme Weber - Poet Free HIV Testing: 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Provided by the Center for Multicultural Health. Art Raffle: 10 items will be raffled off during the course of the evening. All proceeds will go to BABES Network, which is a local organization dedicated to serving HIV positive women. Join us in the fight! More info at www.kingcounty.gov/health/hiv

Main concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning

During power outages, carbon monoxide poisonings can happen when people bring charcoal grills and barbecue units into the home for heat and cooking. Carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur when generators or propane heaters are used indoors or in areas without sufficient ventilation.

 

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous and odorless gas that cannot be seen or smelled and that can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Carbon monoxide can build up so quickly that victims are overcome before they can get help.

Newer immigrant and refugee communities may be most at risk due to the use of using charcoal and heating elements indoors to stay warm without proper ventilation.

 

What you can do

Notify the public about the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in multiple languages:

·        Post warning flyers and deliver warning flyers to customers. For downloadable flyers in multiple languages, visit: http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/disaster/carbon-monoxide.aspx

·         Post information on your website and social media. Suggested posts:

Facebook:

Stay safe during a power outage. Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide: Only use generators outdoors and far from open windows and vents. Never use generators or portable propane heaters indoors, in garages or carports. Never cook or heat inside on charcoal or gas grills. http://kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/disaster/carbon-monoxide.aspx

Winter weather is causing power outages. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are elderly or if you think their power might be out. Invite them to stay warm at your home if they don't have electricity.

Twitter: Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide. Never use generators or charcoal or gas grills indoors. More: http://1.usa.gov/yU6TnG .

·         Partner with community-based organizations that serve immigrant and refugee families or post multi-lingual information at local community centers, faith-based organizations or visible places to help communicate warnings.

Provide safety information:

·            Locations of centers where people can go to stay warm during the day

·            Tips for safely staying as warm as possible indoors when the power is out

·            Encouragement to check on neighbors, help one another, and share warnings about carbon monoxide

 

Key Messages to Convey to the Public

Carbon monoxide warnings

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you. Carbon monoxide gas comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood. You can't see or smell it.

Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide:

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents
• Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or carports
• Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue.

If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor's home. The Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to reenter the home.

Staying warm indoors safely

If you have a power outage, use safe ways to stay warm:

·         Find places where you can go to get warm, such as the home of friends and family whose homes have power. Many cities have opened centers where people can go during the day to stay warm. Center locations can be found at http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare

·         Wear several layers of light weight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear hats, mittens, and blankets indoors.

·         Close curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets. Everyone should try to stay together in one room, with the door closed, to keep in body heat.

Help others

 

·         Warn others about carbon monoxide poisoning. Share the information with neighbors, friends, family and community groups.

 

·         Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are elderly or if you think their power might be out.

 

·         If you know someone who has lost electricity, invite them to your home to stay warm.

 

 

Source: Publich Health - Seattle & King County 

Key Point: If you think someone may have hypothermia or frostbite they should be referred for medical evaluation.

 General guidance

·                       Encourage staying inside as much as possible, especially for sleeping

·                       Remind  clients about dressing in layers

·                       Provide/encourage a hat or head covering- this helps decrease heat loss tremendously

·                       Provide/encourage mittens ( warmer than gloves) and scarves

·                       Encourage client to stay dry as possible-outer wear best if water resistant

·                       Proper foot wear is hard to get in Seattle; people will need boots shoes and socks

 Additional ways to help

·                       Provide clothing as above

·                       Provide high-energy foods such as energy bars

·                       Provide hearty soups and stews with high carbohydrate and protein

·                       Encourage hydration- limit coffee, provide teas, particularly decaf, water, warmed juices, broth

·                       Alcohol exacerbates heat loss. Does not "warm you up"

·                       Assist with drying feet, provide dry socks/shoes

 Most people who come in from the cold will respond to the following

·                       Remove wet clothing

·                       Put on dry clothing

·                       Provide warm beverages, especially broth, warm Gatorade, juices (helps with restoring electrolytes and hydration)

·                       If people begin to develop any of the symptoms below they should be referred for medical evaluation

 Hypothermia and Frostbite

People at higher risk for hypothermia include persons who:

·                       Spend a lot of time outside

·                       Are under-dressed for weather

·                       Dependent on alcohol

·                       Use recreational drug users

·                       Have diabetes

·                       Are elderly

·                       Are malnourished

·                       Are mentally ill

·                       Have an active infection

·                       Have mobility problems

 The signs and symptoms of hypothermia are similar to those of intoxication:

·                       Confusion

·                       Slurred speech

·                       Trouble with coordination

·                       Slowed response time

·                       Sleepiness

·                       They are also likely to be shivering

 Frostbite

·                       Frost bitten areas may look dusky, dark

·                       Immersion foot may look waxy, blanched, grayish /whitish

·                       May feel numb or prickly to the person.

·                       These conditions require quick medical evaluation. 

 If signs of either of these are present, these folks should be referred for medical evaluation

 While they are waiting to be transferred provide:

·                       Warm, dry clothing/covering

·                       Warm, not hot, liquids

·                       Avoid direct exposure to heaters or attempts to rapidly warm the person up as this can make things worse.

 

Source: Public Health - Seattle & King County

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Monday, December 12, 2011

all staff formerly located on the 3rd Floor of the Yesler Building

will be located in new offices on the 11th Floor of the Chinook Building.

 

The work groups moving are:

·         Education & Prevention Services

·         HIV Epidemiology

·         HIV Planning Council

·         HIV Prevention Planning

·         HIV Program Administration

·         Ryan White Team

 

New Address:      HIV/STD Program, HIV Section

401  5th Avenue, Suite 1100-E

Seattle, WA 98104-1818

Same phone numbers

Same email addresses

Stay tuned for our open house reception in early 2012.

 

From an article courtesy of our friend Michael Louella at the University of Washington:

Question:   Patients are asking a lot of questions about HIV prophylaxis. What is PrEP, and what do I need to know?

Response from Anne M. Teitelman, PhD, CRNP
Assistant Professor, Family and Community Health Division, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania; Nurse Practitioner, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

What Is PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising new biomedical intervention to prevent HIV transmission in HIV-seronegative people who are at high risk of becoming exposed to HIV. PrEP involves daily oral antiretroviral medication therapy. Research is currently being conducted to assess the efficacy of 2 different combinations of antiretroviral medications: tenofovir only and a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) (Truvada®, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA).

Why Do We Need PrEP?

Although an estimated 350,000 new HIV infections have been prevented in the United States between 1991 and 2006,^[1] 50,000 new cases still occur each year.^[2] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 1,178,350 people were living with HIV infection in the United States in 2008 and of those, approximately 20% were undiagnosed.^[2,3]

Among those living with HIV, some populations are disproportionally affected. For example, men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise 61% of new infections, and black male and female patients have an incidence rate 7 times that of white patients.^[3] Moreover, individuals in serodiscordant relationships, in which one partner is HIV-seropositive and the other partner is HIV-seronegative, are at elevated risk.

PrEP could be another key factor in comprehensive services for HIV prevention, particularly for groups at high risk of acquiring HIV. Practitioners and patients need to have the most up-to-date information to understand available options and make necessary decisions.

Current Recommendations: Who Should Get PrEP?

The US Public Health Service (USPHS) has no formal guidelines at present for the use of PrEP. However, recent research findings show promising results and the CDC has issued interim guidance. In November 2010, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the results of the iPrex trial,^[4] the first large, multicountry clinical trial to provide scientific evidence that PrEP can reduce the incidence of HIV infection among MSM. This study found a 44% reduction in the incidence of HIV in MSM when TDF/FTC was taken daily and combined with other prevention methods, including HIV testing, risk-reduction counseling, condoms, and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).^[4] Adherence was found to be one of the greatest factors in the efficacy of TDF/FTC. In those who used TDF/FTC on 90% or more days, HIV risk was reduced by 73%, whereas those whose adherence was less than 90%, had a diminished effect on HIV risk reduction (as low as 21%).^[4]

Because the iPrEX study used an already US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, TDF/FTC used as PrEP could have immediate implications for the United States. Despite this promising research, it is important for practitioners and patients to be aware that HIV-prevention is not yet a labeled indication for the use of TDF/FTC and its long-term safety is not yet known.

However, because of the increasing awareness and interest of high-risk populations, the CDC is leading national efforts to develop formal USPHS guidelines for the safe use of PrEP in MSM. In the meantime, the CDC has issued interim guidance for practitioners who wish to prescribe PrEP to high-risk MSM, including the following^[5]:

·                    Confirm that the patient is at substantial and continued high risk of acquiring HIV;

·                    Test for acute HIV infection, especially if patient is exhibiting any symptoms, because PrEP should not be started until HIV-negative serostatus is confirmed by HIV RNA testing or a repeat antibody test is performed after viral symptoms resolve;

·                    Document negative HIV antibody test immediately preceding initiation of PrEP therapy;

·                    Ensure proper renal function before initiation;

·                    Screen and treat for other STIs as needed;

·                    Provide risk-reduction and PrEP medication adherence counseling;

·                    Prescribing guidelines include 1 tablet of TDF/FTC daily, prescribing no more than a 90-day supply, renewable only after reconfirming that the patient remains HIV-seronegative; and

·                    Routine follow-up includes regular adherence and risk behavior assessment and counseling, HIV antibody testing, STI assessment and treatment, and additional renal function testing.

For further guidance, see the CDC Fact Sheet entitled, "Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: Promoting safe and effective use in the United States."^[5]

The Mounting Evidence Supporting PrEP

Since the results from the iPrEX trial were published, further research has made progress in determining the efficacy of PrEP in populations other than MSM. In July 2011, at the 6^th International AIDS Society Conference, the abstracts for both the TDF2^[6] and Partners PrEP^[7] studies were presented. The TDF2 study compared daily TDF/FTC use with placebo in heterosexually active adults. Compared with the placebo group, TDF/FTC had an overall protective efficacy of 62.6%.^[6] In the Partners PrEP clinical trial, HIV serodiscordant couples were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: tenofovir only, TDF/FTC, or a placebo group.

The participants who received tenofovir had an average of 62% fewer HIV infections, and those who received TDF/FTC had 73% fewer HIV infections than those who received a placebo.^[7] On July 10, 2011, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended results of Partners PrEP be publicly reported a year and a half early and the placebo group be discontinued as a result of overwhelming evidence that PrEP reduced HIV risk in this population. The investigators will continue to compare the differences between the tenofovir-only and the TDF/FTC group, which have not been shown to be statistically significant at this time.^[8]

Not all studies have proven TDF/FTC to be efficacious. In April 2011, the FEM-PrEP trial assessing the efficacy of TDF/FTC among heterosexual women in sub-Saharan Africa was prematurely terminated at the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee because the group of women receiving TDF/FTC had just as many new HIV infections as the placebo group.^[9] This surprising result may be attributed to a variety of biological, behavioral, or social factors still to be determined.

A dominating biological theory is that oral tenofovir may not be as effective as topical chemoprevention in maintaining vaginal concentrations of tenofovir necessary for HIV-seronegativity,^[10] as demonstrated by the CAPRISA study.^[11] The CAPRISA study found that the use of a microbicide vaginal gel containing 1% tenofovir was effective in reducing HIV acquisition by 39% when combined with risk-reduction counseling.^[11]

PrEP: Looking Ahead

The CDC, NIH, and academic institutions are currently investigating the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of PrEP in a variety of populations. The CDC is currently reviewing the evidence from the most recent clinical trials and is planning on issuing additional recommendations as more information becomes available.^[3] As PrEP studies continue to assess efficacy for a variety of at-risk groups, further research will be needed to determine best practices for effective clinical implementation.

There are also many ethical issues associated with PrEP. Given that less than one third of people infected with HIV around the world receive the antiretroviral therapy they need,^[12] determining how best to distribute already scarce resources will be important.^[13] Additionally, assessment strategies will need to be tailored for a variety of vulnerable groups within the US population to determine those most at risk of acquiring HIV.

Finally, to address the possibility of inadvertently creating resistance, clinical trials are already underway to determine the acceptability and efficacy of different intermittent PrEP strategies. As results from current and forthcoming research become available in subsequent years and the CDC makes further formal recommendations, PrEP could have the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of HIV infections in the United States.

Dr. Teitelman acknowledges the research assistance of Amanda Webb, MSN student at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing.

References

1.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC's HIV prevention progress in the United States, July 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/PDF/cdcprev.pdf Accessed August 31, 2011.

2.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV surveillance- United States, 1981-2008. JAMA. 2011;306:146-148.

3.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and dependent areas, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/surveillance/resources/reports/2009report/ Accessed August 29, 2011.

4.       Grant RM, Lama JR, Anderson PL, et al. Preexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV prevention in men who have sex with men. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:2587-2599. Abstract

5.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC fact sheet: Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: promoting safe and effective use in the United States. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prep/pdf/PrEPfactsheet.pdf Accessed August 29, 2011.

6.       International AIDS Society. Daily oral antiretroviral use for the prevention of HIV infection in heterosexually active young adults in Botswana: results from the TDF2 study [Abstract]. http://pag.ias2011.org/abstracts.aspx?aid=4631 Accessed August 29, 2011.

7.       Baeten J. Jared Baeten on the Partners PrEP study [video]. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyWjHPooqRk. Accessed August 29, 2011.

8.       University of Washington International Clinical Research Center. Pivotal study finds that HIV medications are highly effective as prophylaxis against HIV infection in men and women in Africa. http://depts.washington.edu/astda/resources/PrEP_PressRelease-UW_13Jul2011.pdf Accessed August 29, 2011.

9.       Family Health International. FHI statement on the FEM-PrEP HIV prevention study. http://www.fhi.org/en/AboutFHI/Media/Releases/FEM-PrEP_statement041811.htm Accessed August 29, 2011.

10.   Hendrix C, Minnis A, Guddera V, et al. MTN-001: a phase 2 cross-over study of daily oral and vaginal TFV in healthy, sexually active women results in significantly different product acceptability and vaginal tissue drug concentrations. Program and abstracts of the18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Boston, MA, February 27-March 22, 2011. Abstract 35LB.

11.   Karim QA, Karim SA, Frohlich JA, et al. Effectiveness and safety of tenofovir gel, an antiretroviral microbicide, for the prevention of HIV infection in women. Science. 2010;329:1168-1174. Abstract

12.   UNAIDS. UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2010. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/documents/20101123_GlobalReport_full_en.pdf Accessed September 21, 2011.

13.   Mayer KH. Antiretrovirals for HIV prevention: translating promise into praxis. Lancet. 2011;378:206-208. Abstract

 

By now, you've probably heard about or seen the pink neon signs that say, "duTy."

Here's a glimpse... click here to see image - View image

If you missed grabbing the 2011 Seattle Gay Pride edition of the Seattle Gay News... Here's a copy of the full page of the duTy campaign... in collaboration with Gay City Health Project.

Click here : SGN0311.pdf

Project NEON will be hosting a booth the Saturday (6/25) on the corner of Broadway and Mercer for the Pride Festival.  Come by and show your support for NEON!

If you are in the Austin, TX area - please consider attending the 8th Annual Harm Reduction Conference November 18 - 21, 2010.

NEON is proud to present "Got points? Social Network Harm Reduction among Gay/Bi Crystal Users in Seattle, WA"

For details, please visit http://www.8thnationalharmreductionconference.com/

This year highlights:

• Principles of harm reduction: what defines harm reduction in your agency or in your advocacy?

• Harm reduction efforts in Latin@, African American and Native American communities

• Successful service program models including: urban and rural/non-urban settings, culturally specific services, cross-modalities, long-term sustainability, etc.

• User-to-user interventions, education, organizing and advocacy

• History: changing the dialogue around harm reduction and identifying future strategies

• Practical interventions for methamphetamine and crack cocaine users

• Community dynamics: the shifting roles of community based organizations, faith based groups and health departments in funding and public policy

• New research on drug use, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, syringe exchange and harm reduction

• Methadone and buprenorphine information and advocacy

• Spanish language workshops

• Social marketing: targeting drug users and communities with vital information

• Community impact of drug law incarcerations and prison issues for drug users and People Living with HIV/AIDS

• Improving drug treatment outcomes

• Harm Reduction Strategies in LGBTQ Programs

• Redefining the user: advocacy and programs that combat stigma and remove barriers that create harm

• How to start and maintain a syringe exchange program

• Mental health counseling

• Women and substance use

• Opiate overdose prevention and response

• Criminal justice involvement and its impact on communities of color

• Incorporating harm reduction practices in the coordination of mental health services

If YES... then consider becoming a PEER EDUCATOR!

 

NEON Peer Educators give out condoms, lube, harm reduction supplies with plenty of information about safer sex and safer use to crystal meth using gay & bi-men in the community.

 

Peer Educators meet weekly to learn and support each other.

Meet amazing people, eat good food and receive a weekly stipend!

To apply - contact MARTIN at 206.323.1768 x122