Page 4 - June 2013

2013 Tribal Health Fair Facts to know about HPV Infection What is genital HPV infection? Genital human papillomavirus (also called HPV) is the most common sexually Vendors transmitted infection (STI). There are more were than 40 types of HPV that can infect the available genital areas of males and females. to answer HPV can cause cervical cancer in women questions and genital warts in both men and women. about There is no certain way to tell who will resources develop health problems from HPV and who their will not. In most cases HPV goes away by program itself before it causes any health problems, had to and most people who become infected with offer to HPV do not even know they have it. those that HPV is not the same as herpes or HIV (the attended virus that causes AIDS). Both viruses can be the health passed on during sex, but they have different fair. symptoms and cause different health By: Christina Hicks, Community Health Coordinator problems. On Thursday, May 16, 2013 the Chehalis Tribal Plan of WA, WA Prescription Drug Program, Who is at risk for HPV? Wellness Center hosted this annual health fair. The Providence Centralia, and many more vendors. Anyone who is having (or has ever had) main sponsors who contributed to help support this We also had Keysar massage offering massage sex can get HPV. HPV is so common that effort were from the Offce of Women’s Health, and Healthy Toes refexology. Guest speaker, Lori nearly all sexually-active men and women the Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center, and the Stone of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition did get it at some point in their lives. This is true Community Transformation Grant. The health fair a small presentation on HPV and cervical cancer. even for people who only have sex with one was held over at the Community Center Gym. The Besides a healthy lunch there were raffes done person in their lifetime. 60 vendors were available to share what resources throughout the day. they had to offer for the 220 who people attend. How do people get HPV? HPV is passed on through genital contact, We would like to thank the Chehalis Tribal most often during sex. Most infected persons This year we offered a “mini health screening,” Enterprises, Lucky Eagle Casino, Great Wolf do not realize they are infected, or that where participants were able to get: free blood Lodge, Colon Health Program, Costco and all the they are passing HPV on to a sex partner. A pressure, random blood sugar, height, weight, vendors who donated items for the raffes. We person can still have HPV, even if years have BMI, Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, HDL, thank everyone who participated and came to this passed since he or she has had sexual contact and LDL. This mini screening also included a year’s health fair and made it a success. with an infected person. It is also possible to small questionnaire in which participants were get more than one type of HPV. asked about health insurance coverage, tobacco How can I lower my chances of getting use, age and where they live. Other vendors HPV or having problems resulting from included various tribal programs: Clinic, Dental, it? ICW, Behavioral health, Youth Center, Domestic „ Condoms reduce infection and help stop Violence, Housing, Vocational Rehabilitation, warts SPIPA’s CCCP, CHP, NWWP, Harmony Hill, UW Native People for Cancer Control, Susan G. „ Get vaccinated! Recommended for both Komen Puget Sound, EPA, Big Brother’s and Big males and females. Sisters of SWW, NW Regional Council “Wisdom „ Get routine screening for cervical cancer Warriors,” TOGETHER!, LMTAAA, Olympic (Pap test) for women aged 21–65 years Area AAA, and various DSHS programs. The (and following up on any abnormal mobile DSHS offce was outside for people who results). wished to apply for Food, Cash, and Medical Call the Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center for benefts. The Grays Harbor, Oakville Rescue was Participants were able to check on their vaccine and screening appointments! 360- also set up outside. We also had Community Health health at the mini health screening. 273-5504 Page 4 chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net