The start of a new year comes with resolutions not only for individuals and businesses, but for those working in healthcare and leading the fight against HIV. 2020 creates an opportunity to get new people engaged in preventing the spread of HIV and reaffirming the commitment that a positive test result for an HIV patient does not mean a death sentence. “HIV and … [Read more...] about HIV Healthcare in 2020: Building Community Awareness
Start the New Year with a Brighter Smile
If you’re like the millions of Americans who start off the new year with a resolution, you may want to include improving your smile. Did you know that your oral health can affect the rest of your physical body? It can also offer clues to other physical ailments. Let’s take a closer look. Your mouth is filled with bacteria. While most of the bacteria … [Read more...] about Start the New Year with a Brighter Smile
Hair Dye & Your Health
The holidays are upon us and that means looking good and feeling good while you celebrate. A new study, however, may have many of us thinking twice about our hair before heading to the salon for that “holi-do”. Could permanent hair dye really be causing breast cancer? Researchers at the National Institutes of Health think so. They followed more than … [Read more...] about Hair Dye & Your Health
Flu Shots: Better Late than Never
“You can get the flu anytime during the flu season so it’s important to get the flu vaccine even late in the season,” says Nurse Practitioner Lauren Ellis. Southeast Louisiana is getting hit hard by some of the highest rates of flu in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Louisiana is currently categorized as having widespread flu as … [Read more...] about Flu Shots: Better Late than Never
Second Generation HIV Doctor Leads Louisiana Fight Against HIV
“San Francisco has been incredibly successful in the fight for decreasing the transmission of HIV. In fact, they were able to decrease the rate of HIV transmission by 50% in three years” says Dr. MarkAlain Déry, DO, MPH, FACOI. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans will do the same thing! Using simple public health interventions such as increasing the … [Read more...] about Second Generation HIV Doctor Leads Louisiana Fight Against HIV
Free Patient Program Helps Battle Chronic Illnesses
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic illnesses that impact how they live, work and play in their daily life. While some health problems are genetic, experts believe that a lot of illnesses are influenced by poor diets, work stress, trauma or lack of exercise. Currently in the United States, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes. 1.5 million new … [Read more...] about Free Patient Program Helps Battle Chronic Illnesses
The Importance of Good Support When Coming Out
“Do it when you’re ready and have a strong support system in place,” recommends Vanice Zenon to anyone considering coming out to family, friends, or co-workers. “A strong support system can be invaluable to anyone considering disclosing their sexual orientation for the first time to others.” Zenon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Access Health Louisiana’s … [Read more...] about The Importance of Good Support When Coming Out
Medicaid – Who’s In and Who’s Out?
If you’re one of the nearly two million Louisiana residents covered by Medicaid, changes are ahead. Currently, Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) has contracts with five Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) tasked with overseeing the healthcare of its Medicaid patients. With contracts expiring at the end of 2019, MCOs have spent the past six months … [Read more...] about Medicaid – Who’s In and Who’s Out?
The Responsibility of Optimal Sexual Health
“If you intentionally have sex with someone knowing that you have HIV or a STD and infect them, you could get into trouble with the law,” warns Nurse Practitioner Rhea Kyles. A warning that residents in the Big Easy need to take to heart. Criminal transmission of a STD covers different types of diseases. Most state laws always include HIV as well as other … [Read more...] about The Responsibility of Optimal Sexual Health
New Orleans Physician Educates Others Abroad about HIV
Dr. MarkAlain Déry educates medical students in Albania on HIV and Hepatitis-C. When the opportunity to educate medical students in Albania presented itself, Dr. MarkAlain Déry jumped at the opportunity. “In Albania, there’s a big issue with HIV and Hepatitis-C, sex, drugs and LGBT issues,” explains Déry, DO, MPH, FACOI. “These issues are glossed over and even ignored.” … [Read more...] about New Orleans Physician Educates Others Abroad about HIV
