Division
of Community and Personal Health
FAQ's about HIV and AIDS
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Programs
The Health Bureau continues to focus on low-birth weight, late
entry into prenatal care, teen pregnancy prevention, asthma
management and dental health, which significantly affect maternal
and child health in the City of Bethlehem.
Child/Adolescent Health: Planning 4 Family - A Family Planning
Initiative of the Maternal and Child Health Program
Planning 4 Family is the Health Bureau's family planning program,
initiated in response to the high number of unintended pregnancies
in the City reported by the City's Health Bureau Clinics. The
goal is to reach community members at high-risk for unintended
pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and/or insufficient
gynecological care.
Baby Blue and MA Too: Children's Health Insurance
Program and Medical Assistance Enrollment and Education Initiative
of the Maternal and Child Health Program This program was
initiated in response to the large number of Bethlehem City
community members receiving services from the Bethlehem Health
Bureau clinics that were reported to be uninsured or underinsured
but should be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) and/or
the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Children with Special Healthcare Needs: Dental Health and
Asthma Management Initiatives of the Maternal and Child Health
Program
The Health Bureau continues to focus on preventative care and
education of parents and children regarding oral health in both
infants and children. With the arrival of the dental mobile
van in 2001, the Health Bureau continues to conduct sealant
clinics for Bethlehem School Children. The Health Bureau provides
parents and their children with education on the management
of their chronic asthma conditions. Medical management as well
as environmental management have been the primary focus for
children in the Health Bureau's clinics and in schools.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: A Program of the Maternal
and Child Health Program
With considerable housing stock in Bethlehem built before 1978,
screening and identification of lead poisoning in children through
age six years remains an important task of the Health Bureau.
Public education and screening remain the integral components
of the program
Chronic Disease & Health Education Programs
Utilizing the Healthy People 2010 Objectives as a guide, through
this program we promote strategies and concentrate our effort
to improve the overall health of the residents of the City.
These objectives include increasing the span of healthy life,
reducing health disparities, and providing access to preventative
services.
Injury Prevention
Fall related injuries are among the leading causes of unintentional
injury and/or death among Pennsylvanians 65 years and older.
They are also a significant cause of morbidity and mortality
among young children. Personal injury prevention is enhanced
through physical activity - stretching and strengthening. The
Health Bureau's program is a comprehensive, community-based,
multi-level initiative including an awareness and educational
campaign focused toward the elderly and youth of our community.
Healthy Women
Breast and Cervical cancers are diseases that are preventable
and treatable with early detection. Pennsylvania had the fifth
highest rate of new cases of female breast cancer in 2001; and
ranked sixth for the number of new cases of cervical cancer
reported. (These statistics are according to the Cancer Facts
and Figures Report, 2001) Certain populations of women, including
those who are un- or underinsured and are of low income are
the most susceptible, because they don't undergo regular screening.
Through this program, the Health Bureau can arrange for free
pap smears and mammograms for qualified women (call the Bureau
at (610) 865-7087), and can provide multilingual services for
translation needs can be provided.
Cardiovascular Disease Program
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) continues to be the number one
cause of death in the City of Bethlehem, as in the state and
the nation. A survey conducted in South Bethlehem has shown
that residents, especially the lower income minority groups,
are prone to many of the typical risk factors associated with
CHD, including family history, gender, hypertension, cholesterol
levels, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco usage.
Increased physical activity reduces the risk of CHD, to that
end, the Health Bureau sponsors Corporate and Community-wide
walking programs in addition to the educational programs.
Osteoporosis Education
Osteoporosis affects more than 28 million Americans. This educational
program targets the teenage and the elderly population of our
community. Our program for teens focuses on healthy eating habits
including calcium-rich foods while they are in their bone mass
augmentation developmental years. Educational outreach to our
senior population focuses on healthy eating habits to include
a diet high in Vitamin D and Calcium, fitness and the importance
of weight-bearing exercise, eliminating tobacco and alcohol
use, and encouraging periodic bone density testing.
Tobacco Education and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rank tobacco-use
as the single most preventable cause of death and disease. The
Bethlehem Health Bureau's tobacco control initiative is a comprehensive
with several community-based organizations sub-contracting services
with the Bureau to conduct several prevention activities. The
Health Bureau monitors these activities as they achieve specific
objectives for six components: counter-marketing; cessation;
chronic; school enforcement; and community.
Skin Cancer Prevention and Education
Skin cancers are the most common types of cancer in the United
States. The Bethlehem Health Bureau is aware of this "undeclared
epidemic" and has developed a program to educate the community
in the following areas: practice of sun-safety measures, awareness
of risk factors and behavior modification to reduce risk of
skin cancers.
Diabetes Management and Prevention
Complications from Diabetes Mellitus are the seventh leading
cause of death in Pennsylvania. City of Bethlehem surveys indicate
that the Spanish speaking population has a higher rate of risk
factors associated with Diabetes and the Health Bureau has developed
a culturally sensitive intervention program. Provided for lower
income citizens, the program provides education to those at-risk
to facilitate prevention, early diagnosis, and management of
this disease.
Highway Safety
Despite the fact that intervention strategies have been implemented
motor vehicle injuries still remain the leading cause of death
and injury for the ages of birth through age 28. The Bethlehem
Health Bureau's program is based on PennDOT data and has seven
focus areas: aggressive driving, unbelted occupants, commercial
vehicle and passenger car safety, alcohol-related crashes, pedestrian
crashes, older driver crashes and various youth initiatives.
Communicable Disease Programs
The Communicable Disease Program of the Bethlehem Health Bureau
is responsible for tracking the incidence of all Notifiable
Communicable Diseases within the City of Bethlehem. Reports
are received through a Statewide network comprised of hospital
Infection Control Departments, Emergency Departments, Hospital
and Independent laboratories, private physicians, veterinarians,
schools, and other health facilities.
Immunization Program
Vaccine preventable diseases have been greatly reduced since
the introduction of immunizations. The Health Bureau's goal
is to decrease and eliminate cases of vaccine-preventable diseases
by increasing vaccine awareness and immunization rates in adults
and children of the City.
Rabies Surveillance Program
Animal bites continue to be a significant public health concern.
Rabies, a viral illness that is transmitted through saliva by
animal bites affects the central nervous system. This program
addresses this concern through its annual Rabies Vaccination
Clinic and on-going incident investigations.
Tuberculosis Control Program
Despite declining numbers, Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious
public health threat. This infection of the lungs is transmitted
by air. The Health Bureau's program for intervention is focused
on procedures to control and prevent the spread of TB.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Program
Since 1981 the cumulative number of AIDS cases reported in the
City of Bethlehem is 203 and the number of newly identified
HIV positive individuals since 1985 is 305. The Bethlehem Health
Bureau program reduces the barriers to information about prevention,
behavior modification and treatment.
FAQ's about HIV and AIDS
What is HIV? HIV is the virus that causes
AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system and destroys its ability
to fight infections. AIDS is when the immune system becomes
so weak it can no longer defend the body against certain illnesses.
What fluids transmit HIV? Blood, Semen, Vaginal Fluid,
and Breast Milk.
How is HIV spread? Having sex (anal, oral or vaginal)
with an infected person, sharing drug injecting equipment
or other used needles with an infected person, and mothers
infecting their babies in the womb, at birth or during breastfeeding.
How is HIV NOT spread? Someone sneezing or coughing
on you; hugging or kissing someone (casual contact), being
bitten by a mosquito, donating blood at a blood bank, contact
with saliva, sweat, urine or tears.
How can I protect myself? Do not reuse or share needles
for shooting drugs, body piercing, or tattooing; if you inject
drugs, use a new needle each time; if you cannot use a new
needle each time, clean your needle with bleach and water
between each use; abstain from sexual intercourse (anal, oral,
vaginal); if you choose to have sexual intercourse, use a
condom every time; maintain a disease-free monogamous relationship;
learn your and your partner's HIV status.
If you have any further questions or feel you may be at risk,
contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau at (610) 865-7058 to speak
with an HIV specialist confidentially. Free and confidential
HIV testing is available at The Wellness Center, 128 W. 4th
St., Bethlehem, Mondays and Fridays 1-3 p.m.; no appointment
is necessary.
Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program The Bethlehem
Health Bureau is an organization dedicated to providing both
preventative and curative care for sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) within the City of Bethlehem and surrounding areas. The
Bureau conducts as STD clinic once a week at an area hospital
operated by physicians, registered nurses, and HIV prevention
specialists. The clinic offers a multitude of services, including
testing for such diseases as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis
and HIV; prophylactic and curative treatment; pregnancy tests;
domestic violence screenings; referrals; partner notification
and education.
More about Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted
Diseases can be dangerous if not treated. Good news is that
most STDs can be treated and cured. People pass infections before
they even know they are sick. This is why they are so hard to
control and are passed so easily through sexual intercourse
with a person that is infected. You should know that having
sex with an infected person just once could pass an STD. The
more people you have sex with, the more likely you are to get
an STD, including HIV.
Who should visit the Bethlehem Health Bureau's STD clinic
at St. Luke's Hospital? You should go to the clinic if:
- You notice any symptoms such as discharge from your penis
or vagina, burning while urinating, have sores or rash on
genitals. It is important to bring your partner to the clinic
even if they are not having symptoms. Visit the clinic as
soon as you experience symptoms so the problem does not
get any worse.
- You've been told by your partner or the Health Department
that you should go to a clinic to be checked, even if you
feel fine, waiting can lead to more serious problems.
- You use drugs or alcohol. Using these substances can lead
to unprotected sex, increasing the risk of becoming infected.
Further, people who decide to have sex when drunk or high
often neglect to use condoms.
- You don't use a latex condom every time you have sex.
No other type of birth control can protect you from STDs/HIV.
- You feel the need for an HIV test. If you need to be tested
for other STDs, request a full screening.
For further information contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau
at (610) 865-7087. No appointment is necessary for testing or
consultation, which is free and confidential.
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