In honor of National Teen Pregnancy Awareness Day, which was May 6, I wanted to write about teen pregnancy. Did you know that teen or adolescent pregnancy is considered to be all females/pregnant people under the age of 20? At 18 and 19 they can vote, join the military, move out, rent an apartment, etc. Years ago, we had a few young girls at my high school who were pregnant. I recall discussing teen pregnancy with my grandmother and she told me stories about how they had homes for young girls … [Read more...] about Educating about Teen, Adolescent Pregnancy
Northland Cares
Arizona Ranks Highest for New Cases of Syphilis
It is springtime everyone! Yes, the birds and bees are humming and buzzing around us. Here in Yavapai County, the waves of yellow and green pollen are floating gracefully through the air. Pollen is tree sperm, which is why it is so sticky and effective with pollination. Love, or lust, with mammals is also in the air. This month, I want to highlight the state of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Arizona. Arizona is No. 1 in the nation for new cases of syphilis, the multi-system … [Read more...] about Arizona Ranks Highest for New Cases of Syphilis
Discarded Syringes: A Dangerous Byproduct of the Drug Epidemic
Yavapai County has an opioid epidemic; we have for more than a decade. In 2021, the DEA singled out Yavapai County as a “hot spot” for opioid and illicit drug abuse and created an initiative called “Operation Engage” to help stop the abuse. Yavapai County is the fourth highest county in the state for overdose deaths. These deaths can happen in minutes and anywhere. Thankfully, we have a wonderful task force: PANT, MatForce, YCSO, Prescott Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, … [Read more...] about Discarded Syringes: A Dangerous Byproduct of the Drug Epidemic
Stopping HIV
Happy March everyone! Did you know that Northland Cares is celebrating 20 years of serving the residents of Yavapai County this July? It’s true. And we have experienced a lot of changes in these past two decades! We have two clinics and one outreach office. We have a clinic in Cottonwood, where our clients and patients can be seen by one of our providers, their medical case manager and a therapist if that is part of their treatment plan. Northland Cares also has a clinic in Prescott where our … [Read more...] about Stopping HIV
Addressing the Rental Housing Crisis
As a HUD Housing grant manager through the Arizona Department of Housing for Central/Northern Arizona, we manage both STRMU (Short Term Rent Mortgage Utilities) and TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance) grants. We manage a grant written to serve those with specific medical conditions/records/infectious disease control; however, there are various applications of these grants for various demographic populations. In the management/facilitation of an HUD/ADOH grant, STRMU addresses those in … [Read more...] about Addressing the Rental Housing Crisis
Touch is Contagious
As we enter the last month of the year 2021 and work our way through the end of the “giving season,” many of us have already contemplated how keeping our distance has affected us, our relationships, our friends and families – heck, even our co-workers! After all, right before COVID-19, I had just painted and hung a picture on my office door that said, “Free Hugs.” Wasn’t I disappointed when I couldn’t follow through with my favorite form of giving affection anymore! Before we were all afraid … [Read more...] about Touch is Contagious
Highlighting the Significance of December First
Human nature dictates the things that capture – and keep – our attention. If you send a survey out to 300 random people and ask them about the significance of Dec. 1, I can guarantee you most of them will not know. Unless something affects us directly, we tend to not pay attention. Admittedly, there is too much going on in every individual life that we can barely pay attention to what is right in front of us, let alone the significance of any random date on the calendar. After all, there … [Read more...] about Highlighting the Significance of December First
Discussing Two Herpes Viruses
There are those who do not believe herpes viruses are still around. Yes! Herpes is around and just as contagious today as it ever was. HSVI & HSVII: The two viruses are not as simplistic as their names suggests. There is a lot of misinformation out there about these two viruses, so let’s explore the facts. All strains of herpes are extremely contagious: saliva, sores and skin-to-skin contact is how they are typically spread. These viruses are known to “shed,” releasing small, trace … [Read more...] about Discussing Two Herpes Viruses
Are People with HIV More at Risk for COVID?
About 40 years ago, a new illness appeared, and because it was spreading like wildfire through the male gay community, it was dubbed the “gay cancer.” As the pandemic took life after life, the medical/scientific communities fought to understand it and how to stop it. After countless hours of research, advocacy, blood, sweat and tears, advances were made in medicine, and today, contracting HIV is no longer a death sentence. Untreated, it is still a potentially life-threatening virus, but thanks … [Read more...] about Are People with HIV More at Risk for COVID?
Prescott-Area ATHENA Recipient to be Honored
In her experience growing up, and even during her career, Martha Mayhood Mertz wondered why women that she considered to be skilled and inspirational did not commonly rise to the ranks of leadership. Thus, she figured, if women’s strengths were publicly recognized, they could no longer be denied. That was nearly 40 years ago. The ATHENA program she launched in 1982 from Lansing, Michigan, has become an international movement. And, this month, a Prescott-area leader will join the ranks of … [Read more...] about Prescott-Area ATHENA Recipient to be Honored
