Happy Mother’s Day!

Empowering Women to Become Mothers When They Are Ready

Jefferson County, CO--May 8, 2016 is Mother’s Day and a wonderful time to celebrate mothers worldwide. It is ideal for a woman to become a mother when she is ready – physically, emotionally, financially and in all the other ways a person can imagine. Jefferson County Public Health can help women develop a reproductive life plan to assist women in becoming parents when they are ready to do so on their own terms. A woman can decide what goals she would like to accomplish before having children, and her health care provider can help her acquire and use the birth control method that works best for her until she is ready to have a baby. When women are ready for a pregnancy, they should start adopting healthy behaviors at least 3 months before trying to conceive – a healthy diet, exercise, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs are all essential for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancies that are planned pregnancies are more likely to have healthier outcomes for babies, mothers, and the family as a whole.

May is also National Teen Pregnancy Prevention month and a good time for parents to talk with their teens about the importance of reproductive health. Studies show that teens who are able to talk with their parents about sex and choices related to sex are more likely to wait to have sex for the first time, use protection when they do, and are less likely to become young parents themselves. Support exists for families who need assistance in talking with their children about these topics, and Jefferson County Public Health is committed to providing assistance for community organizations and schools to assist in this venture.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) clinicians are ready to help teens, women and their families in whatever way is needed for women to achieve their goals of motherhood on their own terms. For teens and women who are not ready to be mothers yet, JCPH clinic offers all methods of birth control including long acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and implants at the Lakewood location. For women who are ready for a pregnancy, we can provide physical exams as part of a women’s wellness visit, pregnancy testing, advice on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and referrals to local prenatal providers for pregnancy care. Our low cost services are provided on a sliding fee scale and to people with Medicaid and many other insurance plans. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. 

“Jefferson County Public Health is committed to empowering individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health, as well as empowering people to become parents when they are ready to do so,” states Kelly Conroy – Jefferson County Clinic Services Nurse Manager.   “We provide family planning clinics that are confidential and include comprehensive services to support and educate teens, adults and families in our community.”

Women who are currently pregnant and celebrating Mother’s Day this year may also benefit from other programs at Jefferson County Public Health. The JCPH Nurse Family Partnership program is a home visitation program for first time mothers and their babies from pregnancy to 2 years of age, and Prenatal Plus is a home visitation program for first time or any time mothers offering community resources and a focus on empowering women to make healthy lifestyle choices and achieve their goals throughout the pregnancy.

JCPH Family Planning Services:

·                  Health education and counseling, including information regarding abstinence

·                  Pregnancy testing and counseling

·                  Birth control Information & supplies, including free condoms

·                  Long-acting reversible contraception, including IUDs and implant

·                  Screening for sexually transmitted infections and HIV

·                  Emergency contraception/Plan B

·                  Treatment of minor gynecological problems

·                  Referrals to other health and social services

To schedule an appointment, please call our Lakewood clinic: Lakewood 303-239-7078.

For more information:

• JCPH Sexual Health/Family Planning web page
• JCPH Teen Sexual Health web page  (Go Ask TISH (Text Information Sexual Health);  Sex Ed With Mel (videos with answers about sexual health)
• Healthy Youth Colorado, a Colorado youth partnership: Youth work directly with adults to help make decisions affecting all youth in Colorado. www.healthyyouthcolorado.org
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment Unintended Pregnancy Initiative: http://www.beforeplay.org/
• Advocates for Youth, a nationwide advocacy group providing information for youth, educators, and parents on sexual health education and resources for helping families to have healthy conversations about sex with children of all ages: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php

Make Time for Cervical Health & Cancer Prevention

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Jefferson County Public Health wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do to prevent cervical cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV, but many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.

The good news?

• The HPV vaccine (shot) provides protection against 70% of cervical cancer.
  
• Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care.

As part of your Annual Wellness Visit, Jefferson County Public Health will provide you with breast and cervical cancer education and/or screening if you are a woman 20 years of age or older (including male to female transgender and female to male transgender).

Cervical Cancer Prevention

ü  It starts with you! If you or your partner is under 27 (male or female), complete the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination series (3 separate injections over 6 months). This vaccine provides immunization against specific HPV types that can cause 70% of cervical cancer.

o   We offer the HPV vaccination in our clinic. Call and make an appointment today.

ü  It continues with you! Because HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, consider abstinence or limit your number of partners and use condoms. Once HPV is contracted, having a strong immune system will help you fight against the infection.  Adopt a healthy lifestyle of eating nutritious foods, exercise regularly, limit your alcohol intake and don’t smoke.

Cervical Cancer Screening

ü  Once you turn 21, you are encouraged to have your first Pelvic Exam and Pap Test. As long as the results are normal, your health care provider will repeat these procedures every 3 years until you turn 30.

o   A Pelvic Exam is when the health care provider inspects your external genitalia, vagina and cervix; and also feels your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

o   A Pap Test is when the health care provider collects some of your cervical cells so that it can be tested for pre-cancerous cells.

ü  Once you turn 30, in addition to a Pelvic Exam and Pap Test, Jefferson County Public Health will also perform an HPV Test. As long as the results are normal, we will repeat these three procedures every 5 years up to and including age 65. However, screening may be stopped earlier if you have had your cervix removed for benign reasons; or it may continue for many more years depending on the type of abnormal results in your history.

o   An HPV Test is when the collected cervical cells from the Pap test are examined for the types of human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer.

ü  Depending on your age, risk factors and the results of your cervical cancer screening, your health care provider may recommend more frequent screening and additional procedures. At Jefferson County Public Health, we will support you in scheduling appointments for any follow-up procedures that may be required.

But I don’t need to…but I feel fine…but I can’t afford…

ü  Most invasive cervical cancer occurs in women never screened or those who have not had a Pap Test within the past 5 years.

ü  Early stages of cervical cancer usually have no symptoms and can take years to develop and spread. Early detection is very important.

ü  Jefferson County Public Health will provide you with accessible and cost effective care. We serve individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in Medicaid and those with certain private insurance.

Care Coordination Program

If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 64, you may be eligible for a new program at Jefferson County Public Health called the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC), Care Coordination Program. This program helps ensure access to breast and cervical cancer screening among women who have or are eligible for health insurance, including Medicaid, and who meet WWC’s income and lawful presence eligibility criteria.

This program is offered as part of your Annual Wellness Visit and includes:

·         Assessing your need for breast and cervical cancer screening;

·         Assisting you through completing the recommended cancer screening; and,

·         Supporting you with the required follow-up if there are any abnormal results.

If you are already seeing another health care provider for your Annual Wellness Visit and you are receiving breast and cervical cancer screening with them, please consider this a reminder that your annual visit is due in 2016.

Otherwise, please call us today to see if you qualify and/or to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit with Jefferson County Public Health at 303-239-7078.

There is no cost to you for this care coordination program, as this is a benefit provided to you through a grant from the WWC. This program does not provide any financial reimbursement for cancer screenings services as these are provided through your health insurance coverage.  If you no longer have current health insurance, you may be eligible for services through another WWC grant program. You can call the Family Healthline at: 303-692-2229 to find the name of another agency that could provide this service.

Have questions about sexual health? Go Ask TISH!

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning program reminds adults and youth that preventing unplanned pregnancies is one of the most important things you can do for your reproductive health. In addition, February happens to be National Condom Month and a perfect time to remind everyone that safe sex means more than using birth control, it also means using a condom. Of all the birth control available, the condom is the most frequently used method that not only has a high contraceptive rate (98% effectiveness rate for male condoms and 95% for female condoms, when both used correctly and consistently) but even protects against the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. 

While various forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other STIs. If you are sexually active and have not been using a condom, you are at risk. Get tested at our clinic location in Lakewood. Call 303-239-7078 to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions and need answers, text 720 446-TISH (8474), the Text Information Sexual Health line is confidential and answered regularly by one of our public health nurses.

Safe Sex

Access to sexual and reproductive health services is essential for healthy populations. JCPH supports all women’s and men’s rights to such access. The Family Planning Program provides comprehensive contraceptive services to Jefferson County residents. Services include education, counseling, medical examination, treatment and birth control methods for men and women.

Reproductive health and birth control (family planning) services are available at our Arvada and Lakewood locations. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and to people with Medicaid. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. In addition to providing birth control pills and condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies, the department offers alternatives through long acting birth control methods, including no scalpel vasectomy for men. Remember, some activities are definitely high risk for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis infection. Protect yourself and your partner . . . wear a condom and get tested!

• For appointments in Lakewood: 303-239-7078
• View the JCPH Sex Ed with Mel video on birth control
• Youth and young adults in Jefferson County can also use Go Ask TISH to get answers about their sexual health.
• Get with Public Health, like us on Facebook.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Nearly half of all pregnancies in Colorado are unintended, meaning they occur sooner than desired or occur when no pregnancy is desired at any time. For teens the percentage is even higher, with the vast majority being unintended. Research shows that science-based, comprehensive sexuality education, contraceptive access and youth development programs can help young people make choices that can protect them from unintended pregnancy. Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning Program offers reproductive health services including birth control at its new Lakewood location at 645 Parfet Street. Please call 303-232-6301 to make an appointment. Walk-in hours are also available. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. Youth and young adults in Jefferson County can also use Go Ask TISH to get answers about their sexual health. It's confidential, just text your questions to 720-446-TISH (8474) and get answers from a public health nurse. We also have created videos to help educate teens and young adults on reproductive health, watch the JCPH “Sex Ed with Mel” video series.

Consequences of Unintended Pregnancy:

• birth defects
• low birth weight
• elective abortion
• maternal depression
• increased risk of child abuse
• lower educational attainment
• delayed entry into prenatal care
• high risk of physical violence during pregnancy
• reduced rates of breastfeeding

Additionally, teen mothers are less likely than their peers to earn a high school diploma or GED.

We all have a role in helping our youth become successful adults. Parents, teachers, friends, employers and others are invited to take time this May to help prevent teen pregnancy. Engage the youth in your life in conversation, get teens thinking about how a pregnancy might affect their life and help them come up with a plan for avoiding pregnancy.

For more information on Teen Pregnancy:

• JCPH Family Planning (reproductive health and birth control) services.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web page on Breaking the Cycle of Teen Pregnancy.
• Download the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Action Guide to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
• Visit Stay Teen, Stay Informed website.

Prenatal Plus . . . Choose to have a healthy pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of change, growth, discovery and plenty of questions. Prenatal Plus can help you, your baby and your family in a variety of areas, including nutrition, cutting back or quitting smoking and preparing for labor and delivery.

Prenatal Plus can also help you find and access community resources. Whether you're expecting your first child or your fifth, the Prenatal Plus Program can provide you with valuable information and support.

The Prenatal Plus team consists of a Public Health Nurse Care Coordinator, a Registered Dietician and a Mental Health Professional. Women are seen in the office and at home for visits throughout the pregnancy and for up to two months after the baby is born.

Prenatal Plus team members empower women to make lifestyle choices that positively affect their pregnancies and result in healthier babies.
Confidential Services

• Prenatal Plus staff can talk privately with you about: 
• Medicaid 
• Tobacco use 
• Healthy eating 
• Doctor's visits 
• Birth control methods 
• A safe place to stay 
• How to care for baby 
• Personal problems and other things important to you, your family and your baby. 

For more information, please contact the Prenatal Plus program at 303-232-6301 or visit our website.

Need answers to your questions about sexual health? We are here for you.

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning program reminds adults and youth that preventing unplanned pregnancies is one of the most important things you can do for your reproductive health. In addition, February happens to be National Condom Month and a perfect time to remind everyone that safe sex means more than using birth control, it also means using a condom. 

While various forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are sexually active and have not been using a condom, you are at risk. Get tested at one of our clinic locations in Lakewood or Arvada. Call 303-232-6301 for an appointment. If you have any questions and need answers, text 720 446-TISH (8474), the Teen Information Sexual Health line is confidential and answered regularly by one of our public health nurses.