What a success!

For fifteen years, the Rainbow Women’s Health Fair has offered access to health information and health care services to Seattle’s LBTQ community. Last weekend, the health fair was held at All Pilgrims Church on Broadway in the middle of Pride Weekend – and it was a smashing success!

Many thanks to All Pilgrims Church, all our volunteers and providers, and the community for their participation. We couldn’t have done it without you! And we can’t wait until next year!

Katie  Lama, LPN, providing glucose and cholesterol screenings

Doris Harris from the Breast Cancer Navigation Project

Two Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence find Rainbow Women’s Health Fair Volunteers!

Volunteers Gabi and Agnes do intakes for women getting their mammograms

Volunteers Kyle and Shan offered free hugs at the Hug Deli!

YWCA Volunteer and Rainbow Health Fair Committee Member Jen Peters and YWCA Women’s Health Outreach Program Manager Ingrid Berkhout.

Be Prepared for Health Care Reform

The YWCA's Health Access blog posted a very informative and helpful article about Health Care Reform. Even though finding a provider who is sensitive to LBTQ needs and concerns can feel daunting, it is important to understand the changes that are happening to health care so you can know what your options are. Read the post below:

Different pieces of health care reform have been implemented and many of us are preparing for more changes this fall and early in 2014. There is a lot of information out there on health care reform and these changes, and often I just feel overwhelmed by it all.

The federal government has a website that is completely dedicated to health care reform: HealthCare.gov. It has a lot of great information, including this list of steps for individuals and families.

Given that health care reform is so big and can feel overwhelming to the Average Jane as well as health professionals, I suggest taking it in small doses.

First, learn about different types of health insurance. If you live in Washington state, learn about Washington Health Plan Finder. The exchange is set to go live in October 2013. Also visit this HealthCare.gov site to learn more about basic insurance options including Medicaid and, for those not able to afford insurance coverage, access to free or reduced/low-cost services at community health clinics in your neighborhood.

Second, make a list of questions you have before it’s time to choose your health plan. This will help you be prepared when that time comes, and you’ll feel confident you’re making a choice that works best for you and your family. It’s possible not everyone in your family will end up with the same coverage, so check out eligibility for each and every family member.

Third, learn about how insurance works. This site on insurance basics can answer your questions on types of plans and network restrictions, and different kinds of policies.

Fourth, gather basic information on your household income. HealthCare.gov says that most people will qualify to get a break on costs (premium or out-of-pocket), and that we’ll need income information to find out how much we’re eligible for.

Fifth, set your budget. Find out how much you can pay for insurance and then look at plans that fit your needs and budget. When looking at options in the Washington Health Care Exchange, you will be able to access clear information about different services, benefits, and costs right there, and compare different options available to and affordable for you.

Sixth, find out about possible employer-based health plans. Even if you work at a small business, you might have access to a health insurance plan through your employer.

Seventh, explore your options. There are plans that exist now that might work for your needs and budget. Do some research to see what is available now, and what options we can expect in the near future.

Washington’s Health Care Exchange goes live in the fall. At that point, when we have questions, we’ll be able to speak to representatives at a call center or meet with a navigator or receive other forms in-person assistance. Be sure to reach out and ask questions! This is a new system for all of us.

Wild Rose Screening Event

To close 2012 with a bang, Women's Health Outreach had a wildly successful mobile screening event at the Wild Rose on December 8th. Sixteen women received free mammograms and Pap tests, twelve of whom were uninsured.

The Swedish mobile van

 

 

 

One of our wonderful mammogram recipients

 

 

 

Our fabulous volunteers

Here's what some of the attendees said about why they came to the screening:

“I think this is a great idea...I love this program.”

“I only have a catastrophic insurance plan. My friend and I were both nervous about getting mammograms. But this is at the Wild Rose, and feels really queer-friendly.”

“I don’t have medical insurance. The quotes I get are $800 a month. This is a wonderful program.”

 

“Health services should be available to everyone, regardless of finances.”

“I’m 40. Mammograms are expensive. But I have a family history of breast cancer, and I thought, ‘I should do this.’”

 

There are many great reasons to get a mammogram, especially considering 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, and the numbers in LBTQ women are even higher.

The next Wild Rose screening will take place in November of 2013. Look for updates and information on how to sign up in the coming months!

Special thanks to Erika Langley for taking pictures and gathering quotes for us!



Everyone Loves Quitters

Most people I know tried smoking at least once. Some people got addicted right away and I know from experience it is not very easy to get over it. I fell off the wagon several times, but have been now smoke-free since 1998. Give it another try, today could be the first day of the rest of your smoke-free life!!

Today is the 37th annual Great American Smokeout – a day when the American Cancer Society and others encourage us, our friends, and our family members “to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life– one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.”

The American Cancer Society says: “Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.”

We all know that it’s hard to quit smoking, but it gets easier with support from others.Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 to learn more about how to quit smoking. Here are some of their helpful tips:

• Guide to Quitting Smoking
• What are the Benefits of Quitting?
• Desktop Helpers
• Resources and Tools
• Cigarette Cost Calculator
• QUIZ: Do You Need Help Quitting?
• JOIN: E-Quit Smoking Cessation Study
• Fight Back Against Tobacco

Also check out SmokeFree.gov to see their smokefree resources and daily challenges.

Get Active at the Rainbow Health Fair!

Never before has the Rainbow Health Fair hosted exercise activities! This is the year!

The health fair will be held at Seattle Central Community College on Saturday, June 23rd, and so we have much more space available to help you get in touch with new and fun activities and exercises. We will provide a diverse selection of activities to choose from, including:

Zumba!

Zumba is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program. Instructor Jennifer Cepeda http://www.hellosparkfit.com/about/ leads classes at Youngstown Cultural Art Center in West Seattle.

Contra dancing!

Contra dancing refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines. Lots of fun! Dancing will be led by Seattle Rainbow Contra Dance. They also lead regular dances - be sure to check their website.

Stretching!

Tamara the Trapeze Lady will lead us in stretching exercises. Get ready to twist and turn! She was one of the first trapeze artists in Seattle - leading to a local revival. She has also developed her own style of stretching, gives trapeze classes, and regularly performs.

Nia!

Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts. These classes will be led by a group of Nia teachers, including Deborah Davis, Sarah Love, Jena Hennessey, Randee Fox, and Allison Wright.


Booty Camp!
Booty Camp is a community oriented, holistic, outdoor women's fitness program. Designed for every ability level, Booty Camp helps women feel confident and strong in their bodies.

We hope you find something new to help you de-stress - something to support the overall health of your body, mind, and spirit. Try out free classes at the Rainbow Health Fair to see what these activities are all about!

Are LBTQ women at risk for HIV?

Tonya Rasberry has gotten used to telling her story. As a Peer Advocate for BABES Network-YWCA, it’s her job. She’s gone around to schools and spoken at public events – telling diverse audiences about how she became a woman living with HIV, and what her life is like now.

Last week, Edge magazine published an article about Tonya, highlighting that Tonya was no less at risk for HIV infection, despite the fact she is a lesbian woman of color.

“When Eric and I were together we shared a lot of things,” she continued, “including partners. … I was always attracted to women and of course I wasn’t going to get a complaint out of him when it came to me living a bisexual lifestyle,” she explained. “Not once did I consider the fact that maybe he also had a private life of his own, and no matter what we were doing behind closed doors neither one of us thought we would have HIV/AIDS affect our lives the way it has.”

Many women who have sex with women don’t realize that they are also at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, according to Kim Chronister, M.A., a therapist at AIDS Services Foundation. “According to my research, HIV can potentially be transmitted by exposure of the mucous membrane (i.e., the mouth) to vaginal secretions,” she said. “Also, shared penetrative toys may be a means for transmission of infected vaginal secretions, according to the CDC. In my therapeutic work with women who have sex with women, simple steps that these women can take to lower their risks of being infected may seem obvious, but unfortunately are rarely taken.”

Tonya calls for dialogue among communities of women to address the risk of HIV for LBTQ women: “I believe that just having the conversation about HIV/AIDS in our [lesbian] community is unbelievably crucial, because as long as a sexually active person is talking about those sensitive subjects it will help us alleviate some of the stigma that surrounds this topic.”

On June 23rd, BABES Network-YWCA is joining the YWCA Rainbow Health Fair and will have information on HIV/AIDS and the psycho-social support services they provide. HIV testing will also be provided by Gay City Health Project. Hope you can make it!

June 23rd is the Pride Date to remember!

14th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair - save June 23^rd!

Join us for a fun, vibrant, active, and informative health fair the Saturday of Pride! It’ll be bigger and better than ever before, at Seattle Central Community College.

Saturday, June 23rd

1pm – 5pm

Seattle Central Community College

1701 Broadway

Seattle

Peer providers will share their services, including acupuncture, massage, energy healing, Zumba, stretching with Tamara the Trapeze Lady, HIV testing, cholesterol checks, naturopathic consultation, coming out services, mental health education, and a wonderful laughter session provided by our own Ingrid Berkhout. Stay tuned for a comprehensive program overview closer in early June.

The Swedish Breast Center Mammography Coach will join us on-site for no-cost mammograms. Grace Chapman, ARNP, will also be providing pap tests. Eligible individuals for these no-cost services must be income-eligible, and 40 or over. Insurance is also accepted. To schedule your mammogram and pap test, call YWCA Women’s Health Outreach’s Marilyn Calbert at 206.461.4489.

We are so excited to be holding this health fair again this year, bringing back many interactive and critical health services to Rainbow! We’ll have new partners joining us – bringing us dance exercise, financial education, and Healthy Sleep 101 – for the first time ever!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share more information about different peer providers and their services. Stay tuned!

Laughter is the best medicine according to Ingrid Berkhout

When was the last time you had a good belly laugh or laughed until you cried?  You may be surprised to learn that laughter has many more benefits than you may think.  It has been shown in some studies to strengthen your immune system, increase intellectual performance and be a natural stress releaser.  Even a small amount of laughing can add benefits for hours.  Laughing can trigger endorphines, balance blood pressure and ease pain.  It may even create a more positive attitude and improve sleep.  

If you have not laughed with Ingrid Berkhout, Program Manager of the Women's Health Outreach - you are in for a treat!  Ingrid will be leading a fabulous Laughter Session during our 13th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair.  She believes that laughing is no joke when it comes to the overall benefits one can receive from laughter. 

Join Ingrid at 10:30am - 11:00am on Saturday, June 25th for jaw aching, side splitting and knee slapping laughing.