Health and Wellness
Nastassia Caldwell holds a replica of a check representing the $1,000 grant her school, Walker International Middle School, received for taking part in a national contest to find the "Healthiest Student Bodies." The Milk Processor Education Program sponsored the contest. Caldwell wrote an essay nominating her school for a contest promoting the health benefits of milk and its positive impact on the students at Walker. Caldwell will receive a prize package that includes gear from Adidas and Baby Phat/Phat Farm, as well as a chance to appear in a special one-time-only milk mustache photo taken at the school. (photo by Harry Kemp)
Know your risks and stop the spread of AIDS
The Department of Health and Family Services is encouraging people to know their personal risk and utilize available resources to help halt the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. December 1 was World AIDS Day, which is aimed at raising awareness and halting the spread of HIV. Since 1983, more than 9,400 people in Wisconsin have been reported to have HIV.
"Community action is essential to sustaining effective HIV prevention and treatment efforts," said Dr. Sheri Johnson, State Health Officer. "We all need to assume personal responsibility for knowing our risk, using latex condoms, getting tested for HIV, and accessing early medical care. All of these actions will help prevent the spread of the HIV virus."
An estimated 39.5 million people worldwide are living with HIV. In 2006, 4.3 million people became infected and 2.9 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses.
The first case of HIV infection in the United States was reported 25 years ago and HIV disease continues to be a serious public health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, one million people are living with HIV and approximately 25 percent of people currently living with HIV are unaware that they are infected. Those who are unaware of their HIV status play a significant role in unintentionally passing HIV to someone else.
"Having an HIV test is the only way to know if you are infected. Studies show that individuals who know they are infected take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others," said Johnson.
The CDC recommends routine HIV screening for people age 13-64 and repeat annual screening for persons at high risk for HIV infection. Persons who may be at risk for HIV infection and can benefit from HIV testing are those who:
o Had unprotected sex with someone with HIV infection;
o had unprotected sex with men who have sex with men;
o injected drugs or shared injection equipment (such as needles, syringes, cotton, water) with others;
o have been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like syphilis or gonorrhea;
o exchanged sex for drugs or money;
o received a blood transfusion or clotting factor between 1978 and 1985; or
o had unprotected sex, especially with anyone who is part of the risk groups listed above.
HIV testing is particular important for people of color since HIV infection disproportionately affects African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos. In 2005, the national rate of reported HIV infection was 13 times greater for African Americans, seven times greater for Hispanics, and nearly two times greater for American Indians when compared to the reported rate among Whites. Minority populations in Wisconsin comprise approximately 10 percent of the state’s population, yet they represent more than half of the reported HIV cases in the state.
Current medications and treatments can prolong and increase the quality of life of persons living with HIV. Because HIV medications can also lower the risk of a pregnant woman with HIV infection passing HIV to her fetus or newborn, health care providers recommend strongly that all pregnant women receive HIV testing early in pregnancy and again later in pregnancy if they continue to have HIV risks.
Persons who have questions about HIV testing are encouraged to talk with their health care provider, local health department, or call 1-800-334-2437 to locate HIV testing resources in Wisconsin. Testing locations are also available on the department’s Web site at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aids-hiv.
A listing of World AIDS Day events in Wisconsin is also located on the Web site of the Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Information and Referral Center at http://www.irc-wisconsin.org.
