Celebrating World AIDS Day
TBYS wants to pause and recognize World AIDS Day, celebrated worldwide on December 1. The observance was founded in 1988, and according to the United Nations, it has become one of the most recognized international health days. World AIDS Day’s goal is to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. This year’s theme was “equalize.” The theme was meant to be a call to action to actively address the inequalities that are obstructing the end of the AIDS epidemic. The 2022 World AIDS Day report by UNAIDS focused …
Is Drug Overdose a Problem in the U.S.?
According to research, about 5,000 Texans died of an overdose in 2021. In the same year, Texas received 4,000 opioid-related calls, as the Texas Poison Center Network reported, with at least 8,000 opioid-associated emergency room visits in 2020 alone. These stats show that drug overdose is a concerning problem in Texas. The following article discusses this in more detail. The United States is battling a drug crisis. According to analysts, the problem escalated with the overprescription of pain medications. However, the availability of heroin and synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl has escalated the crisis in recent years. Today, it threatens national security and is a burden …
The Effects of HIV Stigma and Discrimination
Today approximately 1.2 Americans are living with HIV. Luckily due to advances in medicines and treatments, HIV does not have to be the death sentence it once was, nor does it have to progress to AIDS. However, of those 1.2 Americans living with HIV, 13% of them are infected with the virus and do not know it. There has been a decline in transmission over the last few decades, and based on this, we know that education and safe sex practices work to stop the spread. By 2022 we will be more than accustomed to living with viruses in our midst. As …
5 Dating Apps for HIV People
As an HIV-positive person, dating can be challenging as you want to find love, but maintain privacy about your status so you can live a happy and stress-free life with your prospective partner. You have to be as honest as possible about your medical condition and, as you know, talking about such a condition can be very challenging. Others may not fully understand what you’re going through, and you will need to disclose as much information as possible before engaging in any sexual activity. Thankfully, there are many dating apps available to alleviate the fears of HIV-positive people as they …
New Year, New Opportunities: Breakthroughs in HIV Research
HIV was first identified in the 1980s and has been a constant subject of research and debate. While there wasn’t much information available regarding this disease back then, we have a wealth of information readily available to us now, from when it began to how it causes illness in humans. Since its origination, over 700,000 people have lost their lives to this infection, and 1.7 million more have been infected by it. Global Impact of HIV The world took a significant hit when people became infected by HIV in 2019 alone. Approximately 38 million people worldwide live with HIV in their systems, …
LGBTQ Community + The Vaccine
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, but particularly those in the LGBTQ community. The recent data around the impact of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of inclusivity and equality when it comes to health, safety, and wellbeing. Nobody could have expected the pandemic to spread across the world in the way that it did in early 2020. Even now, there is still a level of unpredictability surrounding the world’s future as we know it. The LGBTQ Community and COVID-19 This unpredictability is proving difficult for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer people, who already faced huge difficulties …
How Alcohol Abuse Can Lead to Depression
It’s no secret that college students are known for drinking to excess. But what many don’t know are the links between alcohol abuse and depression. Alcohol changes the brain’s chemistry, and when someone drinks too much regularly, they’re more likely to develop depression or other mood disorders. It may be hard at first, but you should talk with your doctor about how you can cut back on drinking before it leads to something worse. Connections Between Depression and Alcoholism Alcohol abuse and depression disorders have a two-way relationship. Both can coexist and are prevalent psychiatric conditions that frequently occur together; each …
The Advancements in HIV Treatment
HIV is still a threat, even though advancements in HIV treatments can better help those who are infected. HIV outbreaks have been reported in groups that are already marginalized and stigmatized. With new tools preventing infection and reducing transmission, we have come a long way and continue to eradicate HIV. But with these advances, there has also come a wave of misinformation about how people can contract the virus or get tested for it. So we want to outline some critical information about these treatments, when getting tested is necessary, and how people can learn more about their status. PrEP and …
Preparing for Pride Month
For over 50 years, LGBTQ organizations and countless allies worldwide have commemorated the 1969 Stonewall Riots with outdoor Pride marches, parades, live entertainment, educational workshops, and more. But this year, due to the pandemic and the need to maintain social distancing, these important celebrations may look a lot different during Pride Month 2021. However, just because you can’t march arm-in-arm doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate and carry on the essential work of pushing for change, educating, and supporting LGBTQ communities everywhere. Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie participant, preparing for Pride Month 2021 will surely be unlike any other year that …