HIV/AIDS Newsletter
Aids Aware Newsletter
Labrador HIV/AIDS Project Newsletter
Isolated Does Not Equal Risk-Free
How often do you talk about HIV/AIDS with your friends? I'm going to guess not very often. Before I got this job and began bombarding my friends with facts about the disease, I can't remember the last time we talked about it. As a phenomenon that has existed since before most youth were even born, and which reached its peak of controversy and misconception many years ago, HIV is no longer widely discussed amongst young people. Most youth know at least the basics of HIV/AIDS-that it can be spread by unprotected sex and the sharing of drug works-but it is not a topic that arises on a day-to-day basis. Why is this? It's not because HIV is controversial, because most youth have no problem discussing controversial issues. It is probably a combination of two things; the fact that it has been around for a long time, and the fact that Labrador youth do not feel they are at risk.
Everyone knows at least the basics of how HIV is transmitted, but what is there to say? In an age where people know more about HIV than ever before, fewer and fewer celebrities are falling victim to the disease, giving youth no prompt for discussion. Like a foreign war, we know AIDS is there. We sympathize. But until there is a new revelation about how to cure AIDS, youth do not have much to say about a disease that has been around since before they were born. This is detrimental because without constant discussion, youth do not have adequate knowledge to prevent themselves from HIV, and there is no knowledge without discussion. On a level closer to home, Labrador youth do not feel threatened by HIV because of their geographical isolation. Most feel disconnected from the disease. HIV is a disease of the 80s! A disease for starving children or drug addicts or old pop stars! Not for young, strong people in an isolated community! This is the attitude of many Labradorians. But it is this very misconception that puts our area at risk. Isolated though we may be, we are not a closed system. The outside world is readily accessible. And as much as young people think they know the gossip and the news, one only needs to look at a friend's facebook to see people who are only one degree removed, but completely unknown. It's a perfect, tangible example of the many wonders of human acquaintance, which can be great for conversation, but can be equally detrimental in the very real fact that it is hard, even as a youth, to keep track of all the past partners you and your current partner have between you. So be safe! Be aware! Use condoms, make sure you know your partner's history, and if there is any chance at all that you may have transmitted HIV, get tested. Isolated does not equal risk-free! For more information, visit http://www.acnl.net, http://www.cdnaids.ca, http://www.caan.ca
Isolated Does Not Equal Risk-Free
How often do you talk about HIV/AIDS with your friends? I'm going to guess not very often. Before I got this job and began bombarding my friends with facts about the disease, I can't remember the last time we talked about it. As a phenomenon that has existed since before most youth were even born, and which reached its peak of controversy and misconception many years ago, HIV is no longer widely discussed amongst young people. Most youth know at least the basics of HIV/AIDS-that it can be spread by unprotected sex and the sharing of drug works-but it is not a topic that arises on a day-to-day basis. Why is this? It's not because HIV is controversial, because most youth have no problem discussing controversial issues. It is probably a combination of two things; the fact that it has been around for a long time, and the fact that Labrador youth do not feel they are at risk.
Everyone knows at least the basics of how HIV is transmitted, but what is there to say? In an age where people know more about HIV than ever before, fewer and fewer celebrities are falling victim to the disease, giving youth no prompt for discussion. Like a foreign war, we know AIDS is there. We sympathize. But until there is a new revelation about how to cure AIDS, youth do not have much to say about a disease that has been around since before they were born. This is detrimental because without constant discussion, youth do not have adequate knowledge to prevent themselves from HIV, and there is no knowledge without discussion. On a level closer to home, Labrador youth do not feel threatened by HIV because of their geographical isolation. Most feel disconnected from the disease. HIV is a disease of the 80s! A disease for starving children or drug addicts or old pop stars! Not for young, strong people in an isolated community! This is the attitude of many Labradorians. But it is this very misconception that puts our area at risk. Isolated though we may be, we are not a closed system. The outside world is readily accessible. And as much as young people think they know the gossip and the news, one only needs to look at a friend's facebook to see people who are only one degree removed, but completely unknown. It's a perfect, tangible example of the many wonders of human acquaintance, which can be great for conversation, but can be equally detrimental in the very real fact that it is hard, even as a youth, to keep track of all the past partners you and your current partner have between you. So be safe! Be aware! Use condoms, make sure you know your partner's history, and if there is any chance at all that you may have transmitted HIV, get tested. Isolated does not equal risk-free! For more information, visit http://www.acnl.net, http://www.cdnaids.ca, http://www.caan.ca
Upcoming Aids Walk
AIDS walks have been a popular way of raising awareness and showing support for those with HIV/AIDS since the 80s, when the first AIDS walks took place. Today, there are AIDS walks in New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and many other, smaller towns all over the world. One of these towns is Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Goose Bay will be holding its AIDS walk on September 22, 2008. The walk will be an opportunity for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as their supporters, to show that the fight against HIV/AIDS is still going strong. It will be a demonstration of solidarity and support throughout the community. The walk is done in partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government, Department of Health and Social Development, and the Labrador Metis Nation. Other partners/communities in Labrador are encouraged to host their own AIDS walks as well, and should contact the HIV/AIDS office to find out how to do so. The walk is sure to be a supportive and hopeful environment for those living with HIV/AIDS as well as those who simply wish to eradicate it. All are encouraged to attend, and students who are leaving the area should be able to find AIDS walks wherever they are. For more information on national AIDS walks, visit www.aidswalk.ca
Talking Sex With Teens
If you're confused as to how to approach your teen about the always-edgy topic of sex, never fear. This fall, Cathey Earles, the HIV/AIDS Project Coordinator for Labrador and one of the organizers behind the sexual health conference in February, will be conducting workshops with parents on how to talk to their teens about sex. The workshops will take place in September throughout Labrador. There are many components, such as a guide to healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, ways teens can approach the topic of sex with their parents, and resources for teens who have questions about all manner of subjects, ranging from the right age to lose one's virginity to questions concerning sexual orientation. The workshops are sure to be an excellent resource for parents who are unsure of how to initiate discussions about sex with their teens, and can provide valuable insight and new information for both teens and parents. For more information contact Cathey at 896-5514 or try the toll-free number 1-800-806-9980.
Chlamydia Capital
In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador there are two machines used to test for Chlamydia. One in is St John's. The other is in Goose Bay. Although the population of St John's is greater than the entirety of the population of Labrador, Goose Bay has its own machine, because this area has the highest rates of Chlamydia per capita in all of Atlantic Canada. According to a study done in 2007, the rates since at least 1998 have been considerably higher than those of the rest of the province, reaching a peak of about 510 incidences in 2004 in comparison with 140 incidences for Eastern Newfoundland, the most incidences experienced by any other part of the province. So what does this mean for Labradorians? It means that Chlamydia is extremely prevalent, and the chances of transmitting it are very high. Chlamydia is curable if caught early enough, but if left untreated can lead to infertility. If you are with a partner who you suspect could have Chlamydia-and don't rule it out as an option-make sure to use protection. If you yourself have Chlamydia, go to the hospital as soon as possible and contact any partners you may have given it to. With protection and knowledge, we can change the statistics, because who wants to brag about their hometown being the Chlamydia capital of Atlantic Canada?