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3900 Ambassador Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508

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Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Division of Community Health Services
3900 Ambassador Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Ask Nurse Lisa submissions are monitored by ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention staff. All ANTHC staff are mandatory reporters, requiring all staff to report specific harms to the police and/or child protective services. To learn more about mandatory reporting, please visit the State of Alaska Office of Children Services webpage.

This site has been funded at least in part with grant funds from the AmerisourceBergen Foundation (ABF) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the ABF, IHS or ANTHC. No official support or endorsements by the ABF, IHS or ANTHC for opinions expressed on this website intended or should be inferred.

Privacy Policy | Copyright 2020, iknowmine.org. All rights reserved.

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Mar 24

Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination against 2sLGBTQ+ folks continue today and persist in many areas of life. Because of this, many people feel afraid or unsafe to pursue the care and services they need for healthy, fulfilling lives.

Some of the first steps we can take to support our 2sLGBTQ+ friends and relatives are to
📖 educate ourselves with credible sources to address bias, stigma and misinformation
🗣 speak up when we hear misinformed and harmful statements about 2sLGBTQ+ people
💜 ensure we're creating safe spaces in all areas of life

Learn more about creating safe, inclusive spaces: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/safe-spaces/

Check out the "Celebrating Our Magic" toolkit developed by our friends at @2slgtq and @npaihb: https://www.pathsremembered.org/toolkit/ (links in bio)

Video credit: CDC.gov

#standuptostigma #safespaces #healthequity

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Mar 20

Today is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to address the impact of HIV on American Indian, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian people. We can help #StopHIVTogether by supporting each other as a community. Together, we can reduce HIV stigma and promote testing, prevention and treatment.

Here are some tips on how to be a supportive relative:
👂 Listen: Listen to your relative's needs. Have open conversations and be honest.
📖 Learn: Take time to educate yourself, and learn as much as you can about HIV and your relative's experience
💗 Love/ Support: Show your love and support to your relative in ways that are meaningful to them. Also, take time to care for yourself and establish a solid support system, so you can be more present for your relative living with HIV.

Learn more about HIV treatment and prevention at https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/hiv-treatment-and-prevention/ (link in bio)

Image credit: National Native HIV Network @NativeHIV @NNHAAD

#NNHAAD #NativeHIV

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Mar 18

HIV stigma negatively impacts everyone’s health, regardless of a person’s #HIV status. Stigma can alienate people we care about, prevent people from making well-informed decisions and create barriers in accessing health care. We all have a role to play when it comes to stopping HIV stigma.

We can choose to:
💜 Speak up when people say untrue or stigmatizing comments
💙 Share information about treatment and preventative medication
💚 Talk to providers about risky behaviors, like injection drug use or condomless sex
💛 Support people who come out with their HIV status

We're all in this together! Support others and stop stigma.
Learn more: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/hiv-stigma/ (link in bio)

Image credit: Center for Disease Control and Prevention | "Stop HIV Stigma" social media toolkit at https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/partnerships/toolkit/february-202-toolkit.html

#StopHIVTogether

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Mar 14

Access to HIV treatment is a right that every person living with HIV/AIDS should have. HIV medicine, or PrEP, reduces the HIV viral load to an amount so low that it cannot be detected in the blood. And that means HIV cannot be transmitted sexually.
Find a PrEP provider: preplocator.org
Learn more at www.iknowmine.org/topic/hiv-treatment-and-prevention

Content credit: loveleadshere.org/u=u/ | Can't Find It, Can't Share It
Image credit: Center for Disease Control and Prevention | "Let's Stop HIV Together" social media toolkit

#CantFindItCantShareIt #UEqualsU
#UndetectableHIV #EndHIVStigma

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Mar 11

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medicine that is highly effective at preventing HIV, is for women too! This National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, talk to a health care provider about taking PrEP. Visit your local Tribal clinic or public health center: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx

Learn more about PrEP for women: https://bit.ly/3E5YEO7. (links in bio)

Video and content credit: CDC.gov
#NWGHAAD #StopHIVTogether #ShesWell

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Mar 7

What’s the difference between HIV and HPV?
HIV and HPV are *completely* different viruses. Both viruses are transmitted through sexual contact but affect the body in different ways. HIV is a virus that affects the immune system and makes an individual’s immune system too weak to fend off infection. HPV is a virus that affects the skin and moist membranes and can cause cell changes. HPV can cause genital warts and HPV-related cancers that include cancer of the cervix, anus, back of the throat or mouth (oropharynx), vulva, vagina and penis. Because people living with HIV have a weakened immune system, they therefore are at higher risk of contracting HPV that causes genital warts and cancers caused by HPV.

Get screened for HIV and HPV today at your local Tribal clinic or public health center: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx (link in bio)

Image and content source: "HPV Facts for People Living with HIV" by askabouthpv.org | @askabouthpv
https://www.askabouthpv.org/hpv-facts/hpv-facts-for-people-living-with-hiv

#onelessworry #healthequity #HPV #cancerprevention

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Mar 4

What is HPV? 🧐
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a very common virus with many different variants.

Often, people with HPV are asymptomatic, or have no apparent signs of HPV. Sometimes people experience symptoms like skin warts on the hands, feet or genitals. However, some types of HPV can lead to cancer.

There is currently no cure for HPV. Sometimes HPV goes away on its own, but sometimes it doesn't. It's when it doesn't go away that HPV can lead to cell abnormalities, which if aren't treated, can lead to cancer. Cancer prevention is possible through vaccination, regular screenings and early detection and treatment.

How Can You Avoid Getting HPV?
Get the HPV vaccine at the recommended age (ideally before becoming sexually active). Vaccination can prevent 90% of cervical and anal cancers and most other cancers caused by HPV. Talk to your health care provider to discuss HPV vaccine eligibility.
Use condoms regularly. Consistent condom use can reduce (but not completely eliminate) the risk of getting HPV. Using condoms 100% of the time reduces the risk of spreading HPV by about 70%.
A barrier method that reduces the risk of getting HPV during oral sex is an oral dam (also known as a dental dam). Oral dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth and vagina or anus during oral sex. An oral dam reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HPV.

Talk to your provider today about HPV screening and vaccination.
Tribal health beneficiaries can visit the ANTHC Walk-in clinic, regardless of where they live in Alaska: https://www.anthc.org/departments/walk-in-clinic/#

HPV information content adapted from "HPV Facts for Everyone" by askabouthpv.org
Image credit: askabouthpv.org | @askabouthpv
#onelessworry #healthequity #HPV #cancer #cancerprevention #cancerscreening #cervicalcancer #cervicalcancerscreening #analcancer

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Mar 4

Today is International Sex Worker Rights Day.
While everyone deserves access to health and wellness, the reality is that many people encounter barriers and/or are vulnerable to experiencing harm, which can mean they're susceptible to HIV infection.
The best way to prevent infection is by using condoms and taking medication to either prevent or manage infections, such as PrEP or antiretroviral therapy (ART). People who use intravenous drugs can prevent infection by not sharing injection equipment and supplies.

Get tested for HIV today. Find a testing location near you: https://gettested.cdc.gov/

Learn more about HIV treatment and prevention at https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/hiv-treatment-and-prevention/.

#healthequity #healthcareisahumanright

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Mar 2

Oral dams (also known as dental dams) are an easy and effective barrier method of STI protection during oral sex that anybody can use. They can prevent transmission of STIs, like herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis, so they’re pretty 'dam' important. Using barrier protection, like oral dams or condoms, just means better, safer sex all around.

If you’re wondering what the heck an oral dam is or how they’re used, you're in the right spot!

An oral dam is a thin sheet of either latex or non-latex material. They're usually placed over the anus or the vulva 👉 before 👈 oral sex. Oral dams can be fun to use too, coming in all sorts of flavors and colors that can help enhance the mood while keeping your body safe from STIs. Just to be clear, dental dams and condoms shouldn’t be used at the same time - rubbing a condom and oral dam together can cause breakage.

Alaskans can order oral dams for free at https://www.iknowmine.org/product/oral-dams-for-personal-use/ (link in bio)

Oral dams are also available at drugstores and local health centers, such as Planned Parenthood.

Don't have a dental dam, and need one in a pinch? If needed, dental dams can be made out of condoms, rubber gloves and even non-porous plastic wrap.

#safersex #healthyrelationships

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Feb 23

Pregnancy and parenthood are sacred times in our lives.
To protect yourself and your baby, get tested for syphilis – even if you feel healthy. Testing is easy and treatment is quick. To get tested, visit your local Tribal clinic or public health center: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx

Learn more about syphilis at iknowmine.org/syphilis (links in bio)

Image and content credit: Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board @npaihb and Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board @gptlhb

#safersex #syphilisawareness

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Feb 19

Syphilis is on the rise, but we can all make a difference by getting tested! Luckily, testing is easy and treatment is quick. Please get tested – even if you feel healthy. To get tested, visit your local Tribal clinic or public health center: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx

Learn more about syphilis at: iknowmine.org/syphilis

Image and content credit: Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board @npaihb and Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board @gptlhb

#safersex #syphilisawareness

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Feb 18

A kind gesture can go a long way! We challenge you to do something kind for someone else today. Try:
🧼 Washing dishes for an auntie, uncle or caring adult
👵🏽 Visiting your gram, uppa or another Elder
🐕 Feeding your kimugta (Cup'ik word for 'dog')
💞 Spending time with your siblings or friends close to you
🍴 Helping your mom, dad or guardian with dinner - chop some onions, start the soup, or take out the meat to thaw!

#randomactsofkindnessday #kindness #healthyrelationships

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Feb 16

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Kaaxgal.aat Elizabeth Peratrovich!

Peratrovich's testimony and activism helped the passage of Alaska's Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, which was the first anti-discrimination law in the United States. In 1988, the Alaska Legislature established Elizabeth Peratrovich Day for her “courageous, unceasing efforts to eliminate discrimination and bring about equal rights in Alaska.”

ANTHC is proud to further her work towards a more equitable future by eliminating health disparities and achieving our vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world!

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Feb 16

This time of year, it can be easy to get caught up in expressing love to others. But, it's always a good time to reflect on self-love. Some people might explore these feelings through masturbation, which is to touch one's own body for pleasure.

Masturbation is a physically safe way for people to express sexual feelings, and:
❤️ is normal if you do it, normal if you don’t.
💙 cannot hurt you physically, even if done frequently.
❤️ serves a purpose, whether for stress relief, comfort or safe exploration of one's self.
💙 is something people should do in private, either on your own or consensually with others.
❤️ brings up a wide range of cultural and religious beliefs, which can sometimes lead to guilt or shame. In this case, talk to a trusted adult about how to work through these feelings.

Content adapted from "Masturbation: Totally Normal" by amaze.org | @amazeinternational

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Feb 15

Let's take a quick pulse on the health of our relationships!
How do you know if you have a healthy relationship with someone?
Ask yourself, do I feel:
💖 Safe, respected and cared for?
💖 Free to talk about issues or share ideas without being afraid?
💖 Supported in decisions to spend time with my friends and family?
💖 Respected in my choices and boundaries about touch?
💖 Comfortable being myself with the other person?
And, in a sexual relationship, do I feel:
💖 Respected for when, how and what kind of sex I want to have?
💖 Respected in my choices of protection (like condoms, birth control, etc.)?

Learn more at https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/healthy-relationships/ (link in bio)

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Feb 14

This Galentine's day, let's highlight healthy friendships across the board! Take a moment to reflect on your friendships and share your appreciation with the ones who keep it real.

Here are some indicators of a healthy friendship:
💙 Trust with confidentiality, safety and well-being.
💚 Comfortable conversations where everyone has an opportunity to speak and listen.
🧡 Encouragement to pursue goals.
💛 Having mutual understanding, respect and appreciation for each other.

Learn more at https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/friendships/ (link in bio)

#galentinesday #healthyrelationships

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Feb 13

If you decide you want to use condoms, it's important to talk to your partner(s) about it ahead of time. It can be hard to pause to talk when folks are ready to go!

Here are some tips for having a conversation about condoms with your partner(s).

Be confident - you've decided what's best for you and your well-being.
Be direct - make sure you're clear, "I want to use condoms and would like to talk about it."
Things to talk about:
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sharing statuses
- pregnancy prevention (if relevant)
- how to use condoms
- how well condoms work
If you don't know a whole lot, this could be an opportunity to research together. Ask your partner(s) how they feel about condom use. Give them space to express their concerns or worries.

If your partner(s) decides not to use condoms, despite your needs, be prepared to say no to sexual activities. Talking about condom use can be hard, but it's an important aspect to making sure everyone's having a safe and good time.

Order free condoms and get them in discreet packaging from iknowmine.org/shop today

#consent #safersex #healthyrelationships #happyvalentinesday

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Feb 12

Let's bust some condom myths!

Condom Myth #1: Size doesn’t matter
FACT: Condoms are most effective with the correct fit. When a condom is too large, it can slip off and when a condom is too small, it can break during sex. To figure out the best fit, visit MyONE Condom's Fit Finder and order a free sample pack (shipping costs apply): https://www.myonecondoms.com/pages/find-your-fit

Condom Myth #2: Condoms are uncomfortable
FACT: If using a condom hurts, pay attention to the fit and material of the condom and consider using additional condom-safe lubricant. There are a lot of options, so take some time to talk with your partner(s) and find what works best for everyone!

Condom Myth #3: Two is better than one
FACT: Never use two condoms at the same time - including internal and/or external condoms. Two condoms are actually less safe than one! Using two condoms increases the chance of condom breakage.

Condom Myth #4: Condoms don’t protect against HIV
FACT: When used consistently and correctly, condoms offer great protection against HIV! Condoms are 86% effective in preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.

Condom Myth #5: I don’t need to use lube
FACT: Using lube can prevent condom breakage and increase comfort and pleasure. Just avoid using oil-based lubes with latex condoms, because it can cause them to break.

Condom Myth #6: Condoms don't expire.
FACT: Condoms do have an expiration date! Check before use to prevent breakage. If keeping condoms in a wallet, put them in a protective sleeve to prevent wear and tear.

Order free condoms and get them in discreet packaging from iknowmine.org/shop today.

Content adapted from "Condom Myths and Facts" by The Project of Primary Health Care | @phctheproejct

#safersex #healthyrelationships #happyvalentinesday

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Feb 10

With Valentine's day coming up, here are some tips to keep in mind:
🤗 It's ok to choose not to have sex.
Talk to your partner(s) about your preferences ahead of time in a neutral setting before things get hot and heavy. Most people are understanding, and if they aren't, consider whether safety is a priority for them.

If you are having sex:
☔ Use barrier protection, such as condoms and oral dams, regularly. (And have them with you, just in case they're needed.)
👩‍⚕️ Talk to a health care provider about selecting an effective method of birth control, if applicable. Keep in mind that some birth control methods do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — in this case, consider also using barrier protection.
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 Reduce the number of sexual partners, if you can, to lower the risk of STIs.
👉 Get tested for HIV and STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Many STIs don’t have symptoms, but can still cause health problems. Testing is the only way to know for sure that you do not have an STI. Be sure to ask your health care provider which STIs they test for – not all tests are comprehensive.

Order condoms, oral dams and other safer-sex supplies at iknowmine.org/store.

Learn more about safer-sex practices at https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/sex/#safety (links in bio)

#healthyrelationships #safersex #happyvalentinesday

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Feb 8

Consent includes disclosures about HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) statuses. Having open and honest conversations with your partner(s) enables everyone to make informed decisions about what types of activities they feel safe and comfortable with.

Don't know your status? Get tested! Testing for STIs is generally quick, easy and sometimes even free. Here are a few options for Alaska residents:
· Visit your local Tribal clinic
· Visit your local public health center: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx (link in bio)
· Order a free testing kit for chlamydia and gonorrhea via iwantthekit.org. If experiencing symptoms, be sure to visit a clinic right away.

#consent #healthyrelationships #safersex #happyvalentinesday

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