December 2021: Issue 12
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Wyoming Health Council contributes to health and well-being for all, where we grow, live, learn, work and play.
Happy Holidays From The
Wyoming Health Council!
"While it may seem that there is a podcast about anything these days, it’s incredible to have even more ways of accessing information about sexual and reproductive health at our fingertips (or earbuds)." Mariah Cowsert from Healthy Teen Network has you covered!

Check out these recommended podcasts while you are baking cookies or wrapping presents this holiday season!
Books always make great gifts, for a friend, loved one and even yourself!

To that end, Steph Auteri, author of A Dirty Word and founder of Guerrilla Sex Ed wants to share with you a list of the best sex positive books for readers of all ages—from kids and preteens to teens, young adults, and full-fledged oldsters like myself. We hope you’ll find something here that gives you the answers you’ve been looking for or, at the very least, makes you feel seen!
Cozy up on your couch and watch some feel good holiday movies!
Check out a new take on "Baby It's Cold Outside" in the Netflix rom com Love Hard!
So many new LGBTQ holiday movies are coming out! Watch Netflix Single All The Way.
Last Wednesday, December 1 was World AIDS Day and was an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died from an HIV-related illness.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day!

This years theme is “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice.”
“El tema de este año para WAD se confirma como: Poner fin a la epidemia de VIH: acceso equitativo, la voz de todos”).

“Forty years since the beginning of this epidemic in the U.S., and almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, this World AIDS Day 2021 recognizes the challenges of both, intertwined in inequities in health and access to lifesaving health services. This year’s domestic and global themes focus on inclusion, equity, and better health for all people affected by HIV and AIDS.” CDC

 2018 data shows that there were 348 people living with HIV in Wyoming, with 12 people newly diagnosed. 

The Ryan White Program in Wyoming is a good resource for people living with HIV who may need help with services. Check out available treatment programs and financial aid at the Wyoming at the Wyoming Department of Health.
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PrEP
What is PrEP? Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method in which people who don’t have HIV take HIV medicine to reduce their risk of getting HIV if they are exposed to the virus. 
As of 2017, 107 people were using PrEP in Wyoming!
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PEP
What is PEP? Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a combination of medications that an HIV-negative person takes for 28 days AFTER a possible exposure to HIV if they weren't taking PrEP or missed taking PrEP as prescribed.

PEP is more effective the sooner it’s started, and must be started within 72 hours of the exposure. 

You may benefit from PEP if, within the past 72 hours, you have been exposed to the pre-semen (pre-cum), semen (cum), vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, or blood from someone with an unknown HIV status, or someone who has HIV and you don't know if they are "undetectable" (a person living with HIV who is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load can not sexually transmit HIV).
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ART
What is ART? The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day. ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. ART cannot cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.
Universal Human Rights Month
This years theme is Equality-Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights

The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights. This includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, LGBTI people, migrants and people with disabilities, among others.

The seismic disruptions to human rights efforts, that the pandemic provoked, are well documented: overburdened health systems, intensifying inequities, heightened political polarization and more. It is clear that the pandemic has potentially set back global health efforts by decades, including when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Governmental rules, such as the Global Gag Rule that was enacted by the last administration also set back the funding and support to people around the world.

An example of the violation of human rights played on TV as the world watched in disbelief during August 2021 as Afghanistan fell back into Taliban rule. The rights of women and girls in a country that had made great strides, were destroyed in a few days. The Ministry of Women's Affairs was abolished, women were fired or told not to return to work, girls were forbidden to return to school or universities. "Women and girls struggle to get even the most basic information about health and family planning. There is an unmet need for modern forms of contraception, and prenatal and postnatal care is often unavailable. Modern cancer and fertility treatment and mental health care are largely unavailable. Routine preventive care such as pap smears and mammograms are almost unheard of; and a large proportion of births are still unattended by a professional." Human Rights Watch

Looking to donate this holiday season? Here are some suggestions to help support reproductive and sexual rights around the world!
Maternal Health Day of Action December 7
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have long championed policies to improve maternal health and equity, and addressing the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis is a key priority of their Administration.

America’s maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the developed world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 750 people died of maternal causes in the U.S. in 2019. Maternal mortality rates are especially high among Black women and Native American women, "Regardless of income level, regardless of education level, Black women, Native women, women who live in rural areas are more likely to die or be left scared, or scarred, from an experience that should be safe, and should be a joyful one. And we know a primary reason why this is true: systemic inequities," Harris said.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration, and with the creation of the Maternal Health Day of Action, Vice President Harris is issuing a nationwide Call to Action to both the public and private sectors to help improve health outcomes for parents and infants in the United States.
"To put it simply, here's how I feel about this: In the United States of America in the 21st century, being pregnant and giving birth should not carry such great risk," she said. "But the truth is women in our nation — and this is a hard truth — women in our nation are dying. Before, during, and after childbirth, women in our nation are dying at a higher rate than any other developed nation in our world.

This is about the rights of women. This is about the future of our nation. And this will take all of us," Harris said Tuesday. "On this Day of Action, may the women of our nation know: I hear you. We hear you." 
And don't forget to get your flu shot, your COVID vaccines and wash your hands this holiday season!
WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL
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