By: Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, MD MPH, CMQ
To nobody’s surprise and if you didn’t know yourself!…LGBTQIA+ people are people, too! And just like anyone and everyone else we all have healthcare needs AND the need for preventative health maintenance. While many associate LGBTQIA+ healthcare with HIV care including prevention and treatment, there are many other aspects of health that we should all be attentive and in-tune with. Like fixing and maintaining a car, taking care of our bodies requires work and attention on our part!
Here some things you should know and consider:
1.Get Tested! For various reasons, members of our community may be at higher risk for various infectious diseases, including HIV, STIs, mpox, hepatitis, meningitis, HPV, in addition to the usual pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc) including COVID-19, influenza, RSV, shingles, pneumonia, and so many others. Furthermore, People Living With HIV PLWH, may experience more severe symptoms or complications from infections. Infectious Diseases are Communicable Diseases that are often easily passed from human to human via various types of contact including: respiratory, orally, sexually, thru blood, skin and other forms of people-to-people contact. These infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and others. Some infections are easily treated with medications including: antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals, among others. For these reason, it is important to get tested and always know your status! Furthermore, be sure to get treated for any infections, not only for your own health, but to make sure you don’t pass it on to others! Be Kind! Get Tested!
2. Get Vaccinated! Last month, we briefly discussed vaccines. Vaccines help us in so many ways including preventing infections and severe illness. But, did you know that vaccines can even help us prevent cancers caused by HPV including cervical, throat, and anal cancer?
3. Get Screened! Not only is getting vaccinated to prevent HPV related cancers important. You should also make sure you stay up-to-date on cancer screenings that are appropriate for you. When we turn 50, we should get screened for colon cancer. Other screenings include breast cancer screenings for women over 50 and pap smears for women with a cervix starting at age 21. Based on risk factors and other circumstances, sometimes, it may be appropriate to be screened for lung, prostate, endometrial, and other cancers! Be sure to speak with your Physician about what cancer screening is appropriate for you!
4. Get Treated! It’s important to go to clinic and be seen regularly. We should get our blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked. When we have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, we should make sure we are receiving care and being treated. We have great treatments and remedies now for these chronic conditions! But don’t forget, at the foundation of good health is diet, exercise, and lifestyle. So make sure you’re eating healthy, exercising, watching how much alcohol and substances we consume. So hit the gym, boys – who know’s, you might just meet someone! Wink! Wink! ! 😉
5. Get Therapy! Take Care of Your Mental Health! And see a therapist when needed. It’s not only important to see a therapist when we are suffering from severe anxiety or depression, it’s important that we are treated as well. So ask your physician what treatment options are appropriate for you. Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD may contribute to people’s mental health burden. Both ACEs and PTSD are experienced at higher rates in the gay community. Also, because of discrimination and racism against gay people and people of color, our community has more distrust and mistrust and may be exposed to more misinformation and disinformation — all of which can increase our mental health disease burden.
AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET! PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE! AND COMMUNITY IS GREAT FOR YOUR HEALTH! SO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES & EACH OTHER! IT’S A WONDERFUL TIME TO BE GAY! HAPPY SPRING!
You can see Dr. Abraham and his JWCH Street Team in Action every Sunday night at Tempo Night Club! So come out! And get all your LGBTQIA+ Health questions answered and needs met!