Reproductive and Sexual Health
April 1-7 is National Public Health Week 2024.
Join Healthy Acadia, American Public Health Association (APHA), and community-serving organizations nationwide in celebrating the many public and private spheres working together to make individuals, families, communities, and our nation healthier, stronger, and more resilient. This year’s Public Health Week theme is, “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”
Healthy Acadia is committed to collaboration and partnership across all community sectors and throughout our service area, knowing that we do our best work by building trust, listening to one another, working together, and sharing resources, knowledge, and skills. We believe that all people must have access to resources and conditions that support their best health and well-being. We are committed to continuous learning, creating opportunities, and fostering environments that enable all people to thrive. We are dedicated to addressing health disparities and inequities both within our organization and across the communities we serve.
We firmly believe that we are all contributors to public health, and we're eager to hear what this means to you. What does your Healthy Acadia look like? Share your thoughts with us!
What is your Healthy Acadia?
Every day during Public Health Week, we’re sharing an inspiring story that shines a light on a community health program or initiative aligning with APHA’s theme of the day. Today’s theme is Reproductive and Sexual Health.
“My Healthy Acadia cares deeply for the reproductive and sexual health of our communities.”
In 2023, Healthy Acadia partnered with Maine Family Planning to offer periodic pop-up clinics at our INSPIRE Recovery Center in Ellsworth every three months, providing crucial services including pregnancy, STI, HIV, and Hepatitis C testing, dispensing contraceptives, and assisting individuals in securing primary care providers. The program garnered significant popularity, leading KJ Johnson, the Maine Family Planning coordinator from Augusta, to extend the clinic's frequency to once a month.
“KJ has such a wonderful way of making everyone feel heard and supported. It really made the experience so much easier for our guests”, shared Amber Kennedy, the INSPIRE activities coordinator. “Having access to these free services at INSPIRE, where they already have developed relationships and feel safe, allowed them to be more comfortable with what could be a scary process of taking tests and getting a primary care provider. Had they not been able to go to the pop-up clinics they probably wouldn’t have taken those steps for their health. We are grateful for this partnership.”
“Having access to these free services at INSPIRE, where they already have developed relationships and feel safe, allowed them to be more comfortable with what could be a scary process of taking tests and getting a primary care provider. ”
Reproductive and Sexual Health
We can all take action to destigmatize reproductive and sexual health, and be proactive with our own.
Get screened for cancers and STIs
Breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers are common in the US.
STI cases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are increasing.
Practice safe sex
Get tested yearly for STIs like HPV and HIV.
Use condoms consistently during sexual activity.
Communicate openly with partners and prioritize consent.
Donate menstrual products to local shelters to combat period poverty.
Advocate for comprehensive sex education in our schools and communities. Education:
Provides age-appropriate, accurate information.
Reduces STI rates and sexual violence.
Increases contraceptive use among youth.
Support local schools in adopting comprehensive sex education programs.
“When people have access to quality reproductive and sexual health care and education, they can live happier and healthier lives. However, reproductive and sexual health justice is under attack, with over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced in 2023 alone and 43 states banning or heavily restricting access to safe abortions.” - American Public Health Association.
Read American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week 2024 post regarding Reproductive and Sexual Health: In English, or/o En Español.
Let’s Build Healthier Communities Together!
We invite you to come together with us to build public health for everyone. You can make a difference by volunteering your time, making an in-kind or financial gift today, reaching out to talk over ideas, or considering a planned gift.
Donate online. Make a one-time gift, join our Sunrise Monthly Giving Circle, and/or donate in honor of a loved one.
Mail a check to Healthy Acadia, P.O. Box 1710, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
There are so many ways for you to get involved!
For more ways to give, click here or contact Shoshona Smith at Development@HealthyAcadia.org or (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210.