Newsletter

By Allyson Reddy, NWHN Intern

We’ve come a long way in treating HIV/AIDS, but there is a strong need for more and better tools that can prevent transmission and stem the tide of infection. So, last year, HIV/AIDS activists celebrated when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Truvada, a drug that can reduce the risk of HIV infection. Truvada is a combination of two anti-retroviral drugs already used for HIV treatment (tenofovir and emtricitibine); the new approved use is based on research showing that, taken daily before exposure to HIV, the combination offers protection against infection.  This is called “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” or (PrEP). 

By Charlea Massion and Adriane Fugh-Berman

We constantly hear that obesity is a killer and that the obesity epidemic will surely sink our health care system — but are a few extra pounds really bad for your health? A recent study suggests that being a little overweight may actually reduce your chance of dying.  Hear us out, though, before scarfing some cookies in celebration!

By Judy Costlow

I have been aging for decades, but it only took me one year to grow old! “Things” can happen quickly in our lives as we age, and we may not be prepared to handle them. Loss of a loved one, a stroke, a broken hip, heart attack, and diabetes are all too common for older folks. A friend says, Jan fell and broke her hip. Even though she is doing well, she is limited in her physical activities, as she must now use a cane. What can we do to better prepare ourselves for healthier aging?  Part of the answer, which this article explores, lies in building and maintaining social connections, keeping physically fit, and avoiding falls. 

By Rebecca Spence

In January, the U.S. women’s health movement celebrated the 40^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which gave women the right to legal abortion. In the decades since Roe, health activists have focused on advocating for reproductive justice, which demands that women have the right to be parents — as well as the right not to parent — and to decide where, with whom, and how we give birth. Reproductive justice includes the rights to accept or refuse any type of maternity care and to access this care from respectful and culturally appropriate providers — which are essential for women to be able to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

By Amy Laskowske

When I was 19, I was blindsided by getting an osteoporosis diagnosis. The first images that came to my mind were of an unhealthy woman, who was not knowledgeable about her health, and who was sickly looking. At the time, I was a successful runner just beginning an exciting career as a Division I collegiate athlete. I was a good student and was conscious about my health because my success as a student-athlete depended on it! But, I also prioritized my immediate goals and short-term success over my long-term health. I ignored the advice to do “everything in moderation” — and had to deal with the consequences.

January 1, 2013, marked a new day in preventive health services coverage for many women! The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all new private insurance plans cover key women’s preventive health services without additional costs like co-pays. This rule applies to new plans, as well as to on-going insurance plans’ new coverage periods. Because most plans’ coverage periods start at the beginning of the calendar year, many women gained access to these important services without co-pays in January. 

G spots

There seems to be no limit to what you can use a smart phone for these days! A new app gives people a way to share their sexually transmitted infection (STI) status through what the developer calls “safe bumping.” Mobile users can touch (“bump”) their mobile phones together and instantly exchange information about their STD status. The MedXcom app also encourages users to get STD tests; allows your doctor to post that a person is STD-free on the app; and provides a way for people with an STD to track their treatment plan, medications, and appointments.