February is American Heart Month: Go Red

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. About 695,000 people in the United Statesdied from heart disease in 2021, and about 805,000 people have a heart attack every year. Heart disease costs the United States about $239.9 billion each year from 2018 to 2019. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Nearly 45% of women ages 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association is asking people to wear red on February 2 and join millions of people in raising awareness about efforts to eradicate heart disease and stroke through its “Go Red for Women” campaign. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Diabetes, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use also increase the risk for heart disease. Get regular physical activity to help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Eat healthy food, do not smoke, and take your heart medication as prescribed. Do not neglect your heart health. Listen to your heart and protect your health. See the Figure below. Among Black women ages 20 years and older, nearly 58% have high blood pressure, and only around 20% of those women have their blood pressure under control. IPH has a Hypertension Control program with a home self-monitoring blood pressure device. If you are interested in controlling your blood pressure, enroll in the Hypertension Control program today by calling 313 309-9350 ext. 2.

What is PrEP for HIV?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine when taken as prescribed, reduces your risk of getting HIV from sex and injection drug use. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. See the Figure below. PrEP is a safe and effective HIV prevention option. PrEP works for all. PrEP is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Protect yourself and your baby. PrEP can prevent you both from getting HIV during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. IPH is located at 9053 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 313-309-9350 ext. 2 for more information on PrEP and HIV testing.

Benefits of Flu Vaccine

Vaccination protects people from serious diseases like influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Flu vaccination prevented an estimated 1.8 million flu illnesses, 1.0 million flu medical visits, 22,000 flu hospitalizations, and 1,000 flu deaths in the U.S. during the 2021-2022 flu season. See the Figure below. Pregnant people, young people, people 65 years and older, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease are at increased risk of serious complications from flu. Flu shots are safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. COVID-19 vaccination protects people from severe illness, hospitalization and death. CDC recommends the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages six months and older. Everyone aged five years and older should get one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. Children aged six months–four years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least one dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine. Protect yourself and your children from flu and COVID-19. IPH has the vaccines available at 9053 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 313-309-9350 ext. 2 to make an appointment.

PrEP is safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for preventing HIV. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. PrEP is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. See the Figure below. Protect yourself and your baby! PrEP can prevent you both from getting HIV during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Lung Cancer Screening