Communicating with teens about safe sex practices

March may have been "National Talk to your Teen about Sex Month," but here at the Harrisonburg Community Health Center, we feel that safe sex is always an important issue to discuss. Here are some tips from The Office on Children and Youth  for parents on how to communicate effectively with their teens about safe sex practices:
BE PREPARED: Read about the subject so your own questions are answered before talking to your teen.  Practice what you plan to say with your spouse or partner, a friend, or another parent.  This may make it easier to talk with your teen when the time comes.  Speak calmy and clearly.
BE HONEST:  Let your teen know that talking about sex is isn't easy for you but that you think it's important that information about sex comes from you.  And even though you would prefer that your values be accepted, ultimately, decisions about sex are up to your teen.  If your teen disagrees with you or gets angry, take heart, you have been heard.  These talks will help your teen develop a solid value system, even if its different from your own. 
LISTEN: Give your teen a chance to talk and ask questions.  It's important that you give your full attention.
TRY TO STRIKE A BALANCE:  While teens need privacy, they also need information and guidance from parents.  If your teen does not want to talk with you about sex and tells you that it is none of your business, be firm and say that it is your business.  Your teen should know that you are asking out of love and concern, especially because there are potentially harmful situations.  If your teen is quiet when you try to talk about sex, say what you have to say anyway.  Your message may get through.
ASK FOR HELP:  If you just can't talk to your teen about sex, ask your pediatrician; a trusted aunt or uncle; or a minister, priest, rabbi for help.  Also, many parents find it useful to give their teens a book on human sexuality and say, "Take a look at this, and let's talk." 

Alzheimer's Disease

Everyone has momentary lapses of memory once in a while.  However, if you start to notice an older family member or friend is forgetting common information such as where they live or their own name, they are most likely suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia for Americans, can leave many people unable to perform daily tasks of living.  The biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease is age.  It has been found that the disease usually does not occur until after the age of 60.  What causes Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, but scientists believe it is a combination of factors.  These factors could include: genetic predisposition, diet, environment, lack of the vitamin folate in the diet, high blood pressure, etc.   It has also been speculated that aluminum from deodorant products and/or insufficient flossing habits could potentially lead to Alzheimer’s disease.  This disease is progressive, chronic and incurable.  If you feel you are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, doctors recommend you exercise and eat a healthy diet, as well as engage in mentally challenging activities such as Sudoku puzzles or crosswords.  For more information of Alzheimer’s disease, go to the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) and click on Alzheimer’s disease. 

It’s that time of year again; summer has officially begun.  Usually a season characterized by “fun in the sun” and “carefree living”, summer also is a time for heighted health risks.  For instance, the summer heat can lead to heat stroke or exhaustion for many Americans who do not follow the recommended health precautions.  These recommendations include drinking adequate amounts of water, and limiting direct sunlight exposure.  The saying “if you are thirsty you are already dehydrated” can be true in some instances, so it is important to drink throughout the day even if you are not feeling very thirsty at the time.  Secondly, the sun’s exposure is especially intense in the summer, which can lead to sunburn.  Sunburn that occurs more than once on a particular area of the skin can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer.  Some other summer health risks are as follows:  food poisoning, eye damage, driving accidents due to fatigue, drowning, insect bites, and fireworks injury.  For a more in depth description on some of these summer health risks, and possible ways to avoid such risks, check out this article: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MovingOutdoors/ 

Beach Safety

It's that time of year again! The beach is calling your name, so you pack up the kids and head to the lake, river, or ocean. The beach can be a very fun experience, but it can also be dangerous. Here are a few tips to remember while on family beach trips:

1. Protect your skin, and especially your child's skin. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher for yourself and SPF 30 or higher for children. Try not to be in direct sunlight at peak hours; usually from 10am to 2pm.

2. Drink plenty of water, and drink it often (even if you do not feel thirsty). Avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine.

3. Wear eye protection! Use sunglasses that protect you from at least 90% of UV rays.

4. Wear foot protection! Sand can burn feet, and glass that gets hidden in the sand can cut feet.

5. Do not swim near piers, breakwaters, or boats.

6. Swim parallel to the shore to avoid swimming out too far. The farther out you swim, the more likely you are to be too tired to swim back to shore.

For more information and safety tips, visit: http://www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/bsas/safetymeetings/jun06/beachsafety.pdf

Important Information on Sport and School Physicals!

Summertime usually means rest and relaxation, but for many parents it means getting their children prepared for the upcoming school year.  This can come in the form of receiving required “sport” or “school” physicals necessary for participation in the fall.  However, most insurance companies will only cover one physical per year, which can end up being costly for parents whose children now need another specific sport or school physical.  At the Harrisonburg Community Health Center, we will be charging a flat fee of $35 for physicals that are not covered by insurance.  Payment will be due at the time of visit, regardless of insurance or sliding scale status.  We feel that no child should have to sit out this fall, so be sure to schedule your child’s physical or well child checkup (WCC) plenty of time beforehand so that they can continue to stay involved in their sport of school community.

Still the #1 Killer

As the leading cause of death among men and women in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is not a subject to take lightly.  There are many different risk factors that can lead to heart disease.  These include: smoking, lack of physical activity, being overweight or obese, a diet high in fat, genetic predisposition, etc.  However, most of these risk factors are lifestyle choices that can be altered and improved.  For example, if you feel that you are at risk for heart disease, you should immediately stop smoking.  If it is being overweight or making unhealthy diet choices you are concerned with, it is never too late to start an exercise regimen or new diet (after consulting with your physician  first of course).  The most important thing is to treat your heart with care, and try to live the healthiest life you can live!

National HIV Testing Day is Coming Up... Do You Know Your Status?

National HIV Testing Day is coming up on June 27th. Whether you haven’t been tested in a while, or you have never been tested at all, taking the initiative to get tested is an important part of leading a healthy life.


Having Trouble Deciding If You Should Get Tested?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, it is in your best interest to get an HIV test.

• Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, works) with others?

• Have you had unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex with a partner whose HIV status is unknown?

• Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?

• Have you been diagnosed with, or treated for, hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

• Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer "Yes" to any of the above questions?

• Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?

• Have you been sexually assaulted?

If you continue practicing high-risk behaviors, the CDC recommends that you get an HIV test at least once a year, and in some cases more often.

Wondering Why You Should Get Tested?

• Knowing your own HIV status can give you peace of mind—and testing is the only way you can know for sure.

• When you and your partner know each other's HIV status, you can make informed decisions about your sexual behaviors and how to stay safe.

• If you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, knowing your status can help protect your baby from being infected.

• If you find out you are HIV-positive, you can get into early treatment. This increases your chances of staying healthy.

• If you know you are HIV-positive, you can also take steps to protect your sex or drug-using partners from becoming infected.

Please remember that HIV tests are confidential, and in some cases they are completely anonymous.

The above information, along with more resources to learn more about HIV/AIDS, where to find a testing center near you and ways you can get involved can be found at: http://www.aids.gov/

If you are diagnosed with HIV it is important to remember you are not alone. The Valley AIDS Network is a local organization that is dedicated to empowering HIV-positive individuals by offering them assistance, serving as an advocate for HIV awareness, and educating the public about HIV/AIDS.

The above information along with more resources and information can be found on the Valley AIDS Network Website: http://www.valleyaidsnetwork.org/index.php

FAMIS

Federal Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) is a national and state program that allows for children living without private health insurance, but whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, can gain government funded health insurance.  This program was designed to protect children, and to help guarantee access to health care in the community.  Their website  www.famis.org provides information on how one qualifies for FAMIS, as well what FAMIS will cover. The website also has tips on how to stay healthy.  FAMIS is a great resource for those children living without access to health insurance.

Welcome Victor Buckwalter, MD, to the HCHC team!

Here at The Harrisonburg Community Health Center we are pleased to announce Victor Buckwalter, MD, will be joining the HCHC team!  Dr.  Buckwalter has 15 years of experience practicing family medicine in the Shenandoah Valley.  He also has an interest in Global Heatlh, and has spent 12 years in East Africa participating in medical mission and service work.  Dr. Buckwalter will be moving to the new building in August along with the rest of the HCHC team.