Get Health Carson City: Community Health Clinic helps improve women's health

Q: National Women's health Week is May 9-15. What does the clinic at Carson City Health and Human Services offer women?

A: Although the clinic is for everyone, many of its services cater to women of childbearing age. The mission of Carson City Health and Human Services is "to protect and promote the health and welfare of the community through education, intervention, prevention and assistance." That is verifiably the case with women's services at the clinic.

Family planning is a broad topic that addresses the number and spacing of children a woman wants, including zero. To achieve this end, the clinic encourages women to create their Reproductive Life Plan, a declaration of their childbearing goals and the means to achieve them.* To help them be successful, the clinic offers many birth control options, and the counseling and education to support their use. The clinic has oral contraceptives ("the pill"), intrauterine devices (IUDs), condoms, implants, morning-after pills, and rings. Pregnancy diagnosis and counseling is also available.

To promote sexual health, the clinic offers counseling, education and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) is available and is encouraged for females from 9 to 26 years of age. The recently developed HPV vaccine protects against the most common causes of genital warts and cervical cancer. Proper vaccination requires three injections over the course of six months.

Support groups are offered. A newly formed breastfeeding support group offers women a safe place to ask breastfeeding questions, gain confidence and share the challenges and joys of breastfeeding. A class for smoking cessation and a support network for HIV positive individuals (women and men) are also ongoing.

The theme of National Women's' Health Week 2010 is "It's Your Turn." Carson City Health and Human Services encourages all women to take their turn at good health by:

• Exercising each week for 21⁄2 hours of moderate physical activity or 11⁄4 hours of vigorous activity; or a combination of the two;

• Eating a nutritious diet;

• Visiting a healthcare professional for regular checkups and screenings;

• Taking care of one's mental health with adequate sleep and stress management.

For more information on Reproductive Life Planning, view the March 31 "Get Healthy" column online at nevadaappeal.com

MAY IS HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH

Carson City Community Health Clinic administers Hepatitis vaccine to persons who are sexually active and/or to those who use needles.

Community Health Clinic

Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, by appointment

Call: 775-887-2195

Thursday is Immunization Day

Hours: 8:30 -11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. No appointment needed

Call: 775-889-2195

•Pam Graber is the public Information officer for the Carson City Health and Human Services. She can be reached at pgraber@ci.carson-city.nv.us.