March 2022: Issue 3

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Wyoming Health Council contributes to health and well-being for all, where we grow, live, learn, work and play.
Women's History Month
Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.

Women have long advocated for compassionate treatments and new directions in public health and in women’s mental and physical health. Women have also historically led the way in mending divisions, healing wounds, and finding peaceful solutions. 

The 2022 theme proudly honors those who, in both public and private life, provide healing and promote hope for the betterment of all.
Explore the national Library of Medicine online exhibition, Changing the Face of Medicine and learn about the lives and achievements of racial and ethnic minority women in medicine.

Check out the doctors of TikTok who are providing the sex education you wish you had in school!
Looking for ways to celebrate Women's History Month? Check out this list of virtual events, from panel conversations to film screening, online art exhibits and more!
Find a collection of TED Talks on the topic of Women!
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on women and show support for women and girls with HIV!

  • In 2018, 19% of new HIV diagnoses were among women.
  • The majority of new HIV diagnoses among women (85%) in 2018 were attributed to heterosexual sex, while another 15% were attributed to injection drug use.
  • According to the CDC, only 7% of women in the US who would benefit from PrEP medicine were prescribed the prevention regimen in 2018.

"HIV has gone from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition with treatment options. But, as the data show, access to these prevention and treatment options is not always evenly distributed. Moving forward, we must focus on ways to lessen the burden of HIV on marginalized communities and recognize that doing so will take collective efforts to overcome the societal barriers that prevent too many members of these communities from accessing the care they need." Gilead

Only a small percentage of people in the US who would benefit from PrEP are being prescribed it—and most are men. PrEP is effective for everyone! 
Health care providers, this is a great reminder to share the power of PrEP with your female patients. Access CDC’s updated PrEP Guidance!

#NWGHAAD #StopHIVTogether #PrEP#ShesWell
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 20
March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to address the impact of HIV on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and to encourage HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in Native communities.
This year’s
Bisexual + Health Awareness Months theme is “Connection!"

"This theme has been chosen to highlight the importance of connecting bisexual+ people to each other, to supportive communities, and to healthcare resources that are affirming of their identities."

Bisexuals have often been misunderstood, marginalized, and discriminated against in both heterosexual and LGBT spaces. Despite actively working within the LGBT equality movement for decades, bisexuals are often erased and considered a small subgroup of the community. Yet, the Williams Institute has found that approximately half of self-identified LGBT Americans identify as bisexual. This reluctance to address the needs of a large part of the community, and sometimes overt biphobia, has resulted in many bisexuals feeling alienated and alone, which contributes to a high incidence of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and other high-stress indicators.
According to new data from Gallup, over half of LGBT adults (54.6%) are bisexual, with another 3.3% describing their sexual orientation as non-monosexual with terms such as queer and same-gender-loving. This means that 57.9% of the LGBTQ community is bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid or another non-monosexual identity).

Which is why learning about Bisexual+ individuals and providing inclusive health care to this population is so important!

This year’s 20th National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is LIVE OUT LOUD for LGBTQ Health!

The theme encourages everyone to speak openly about LGBTQ health, providing an umbrella under which to discuss and raise awareness of mental health, trans health, and ending stigma through accessible, affirming, and inclusive healthcare services so that everyone can fully live their truth and a healthy life!

This theme also speaks to the importance of raising our collective voice against those telling us, “Don’t Say Gay." So stand up and shout "GAY" out loud and let your communities know that you are there to provide inclusive health care!
“It’s such a scary, horrible feeling that I’m not safe in my state,” she says. “I can't live a normal life without having to fight for my human rights."
-Skyler, a 13-year-old trans girl living in Arizona,

"This year is on track to be a record-breakingly bad year for anti-trans legislation, which is advancing through state houses and local governments across the country. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), there has been a “rapid increase” in bills targeting transgender people – and more specifically, transgender youth. According to internal tracking by NCTE, in 2020, 79 anti-trans bills were introduced; so far in 2022, 157 anti-trans bills have been floated. Of those 157 bills, 65 are youth sports bans; 37 are healthcare bans; 29 are curriculum bans; and the remaining cover issues from so-called bathroom bills to birth certificates."

In Texas, not only was a bill passed that bans K-12 transgender students from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity, Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion that defined providing access to certain gender-affirming treatment as child abuse and directs “licensed professionals” and “members of the general public” to report the parents of minors who help their trans children access gender-affirming care to state authorities.

Despite opposition by major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the American Medical Association, which say these treatments are within the standards of care and often lifesaving.

LGBTQ+ advocates and attorneys have repeatedly emphasized that the letters are not legally binding, and have no basis in law, at a state or national level—no court has ever found gender-affirming care to constitute a form of child abuse.
“This opinion and letter have no legal effect and cannot change Texas law nor usurp the constitutional rights of Texas families,” said Brian Klosterboer, staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas. “But they spread fear and misinformation, and could spur false reporting of child abuse at a time when DFPS is already facing a crisis in our state’s foster care system.”
Consistent with the other health awareness's this month, we must lift up Transgender Health Care as well!

If you are a health care provider check out the links below for information on how to help provide inclusive and supportive transgender healthcare.
LGBTQ+
If you, or someone you know needs support, contact:
24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-488-7386
(Text and Chat also available)
New Casper PRIDE Guide
The Casper Pride Guide is a resource hub for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in our community. You will find connections to local physical and mental health providers, substance abuse services, community-led projects, and more. It’s your virtual one-stop-shop for all things Queer in our community. 

IT’S NOT JUST A SITE; IT’S A HOME.

Getting Lucky on St. Patrick's Day?!
Make sure you stop by you local Title X clinic and pick up CONDOMS and DENTAL DAMS before celebrating!
And remember that CONSENT is key and you can't give it or receive it if you are drunk, so limit your green beer and still have fun!
WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL
111 S. Durbin, Suite 200
Casper, WY 82601

Call Us: (307) 439-2033