The Erie County Department of Health is in the process of conducting our Community Health Needs Assessment. We are holding focus groups to learn more about the assets and barriers certain populations experience related to their health. We are seeking participants from the LGBTQIA+ community to participate in a focus group on Monday November 25th from 5:30 7:00 PM at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Participants will receive a gift card for their time and food and beverages will be provided. To register, please complete this survey: https://arcg.is/1fnaui1 or call 814-451-6769. Registration is limited to ensure that all participants are heard, so please register by 11/18. Thank you.

Erie, PA - The Erie County Department of Health has launched an online public health dashboard at eriecountypa.gov/health that shows statistics from the monitoring of respiratory diseases in the county, which include flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Erie, PA - September is National Preparedness Month. The Erie County Department of Public Safety invites residents of Erie County who may need special or additional support during a police, fire or medical emergency to register in the Erie County 911 Special Needs Registry at eriecountypa.gov/specialneedsregistry.

Erie, PA - As the school year is about to begin, the Erie County Department of Health reminds and encourages all residents of Erie County to stay updated with their flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccinations.

Erie, PA - The Erie County Department of Health confirms that a mosquito group collected in Waterford Township and a group collected in Millcreek Township on Aug. 1, 2024 have each tested positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV). These are the second and third groups to test positive for JCV in Erie County this year.

Erie, PA - August 29, 2024 - The Erie County Department of Health confirms that a mosquito group collected in the City of Erie on Aug. 22, 2024 has tested positive for West Nile virus.

Erie, PA The Erie County Department of Health confirms that a mosquito group collected in Millcreek Township on July 9, 2024 has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first mosquito group to test positive in Erie County this year. At this time, no human cases have been reported in Erie County.

Recently, the US House Appropriations Committee advanced on a party-line vote a legislative package that would slash funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal 2025 by $7.5 billion, or 6.4 percent, below the fiscal 2024 level. The bill cleared the committee 31 to 25 and now heads to the full House, which is scheduled to vote on it before August. The House's proposal drastically reducing funding to Title X, the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, and other critical programs, as well as the House's inclusion of language restricting access to abortion, limiting care for LGBTQ individuals, and drastically restructuring the National Institutes of Health. This bill would cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) injury prevention program and its opioid overdose prevention and surveillance initiative.

Erie, PA All Erie County residents 18 years and older are encouraged to help guide future health programs and services by completing the Community Health Assessment Survey 2024 organized by the Erie County Department of Health at https://eriecountypa.gov/healthsurvey

Over the past 40 years of the HIV epidemic, scientists have been trying to find a way to prevent HIV from infecting cells. Researchers made a nanovaccine as a new way to fight HIV infections. This new study looks at making the immune system respond with B cells to make antibodies that stop HIV. HIV quickly evolves making it hard to target. Researchers created immunogens on nanoparticles to start producing antibodies for a large number of HIV variants. The animal study showed how to make a future vaccine that allows our immune system to prevent HIV infections. This is promising research news as we look for new ways to prevent future cases of HIV around the globe. [Source: Vaccination induces broadly neutralizing antibody precursors to HIV gp41 | Nature Immunology]

Mpox cases are on the rise during 2024. Pride season is here, and the summer of 2022 saw a significant rise in cases. But you can get vaccinated to prevent the spread and infection. The Erie County Department of Health [ECDH] is providing both doses of JYNNEOS to the public during our weekly Sexual Health Clinic. For more information about mpox and for private, confidential vaccination at no cost, call 814-451-6700 at the Erie County Department of Health.

In the summer of 2022, men who have sex with men in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States saw an outbreak of a communicable disease that beforehand was seen mostly due to travel from Central or West Africa. Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is part of a family of viruses that cause disease in both humans and many types of animals. Smallpox is an example of a pox virus that no longer exists in nature. Mpox, on the other hand, surged in 2022. The ongoing outbreak worldwide has the US leading with the most cases at 34% and the highest death count at 33% globally. As of early April 2024, the US has seen approximately 700 confirmed cases compared to 315 cases at the same time one year prior. These cases and deaths are specific to the type of Mpox that spread in 2022.

Recently, the University of Amsterdam announced the findings of their team of scientists working on a new frontier of HIV treatment. Their approach is using the Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene editing technology. The U of A team presented a review of early findings on a 'proof of concept' as a potential future treatment of HIV.

Erie, PA - For this fall and winter virus season, vaccines are available for COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These are the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations.

Did you know that you can get free condoms at various sites around Erie County? Or that you can order a free pack of 12 to be sent privately to your home? The Erie County Department of Health began their Condom Distribution Program seven years ago. Since then, locations and ways to get both internal and external condoms have expanded. Each package includes condoms, lube, and info on testing/treatment providers in Erie County. Last year alone, this program distributed over 20,000 condoms! Would you like some FREE condoms? Check out the online map for sites where the task force's red 'picnic' totes by visiting echiv.org/map or if you'd like to order some for free to come to you, visit our online store at condoms.echiv.org. For more information give us a call at the Erie County Department of Health, 814-451-6700.

In the US and South Africa, people are volunteering for a new HIV vaccine Phase 1 trial. The new vaccine, "VIR-1388", tests safety and kicking off an HIV specific immune response in folks. VIR-1388 is to tell the human immune system to create T cells. These T cells would recognize HIV, prompting an immune response. The trial goal is to prevent HIV from establishing a chronic infection. The NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and NIH (the National Institutes of Health) have provided scientific and financial support for years in this HIV vaccine idea and is contributing money for this study. Study participants are randomly put into one of four parts. Three out of four will receive a different dose of the vaccine. One out of four will get a placebo (fake vaccine). Late 2024 is when results are expected from the trial. Then volunteers will be followed for up to three years after their first vaccine dose. Did you know the Erie County Department of Health provides routine checks for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV? We can go over options for treatment here in Erie County and help get you started. Would you like some FREE condoms? We provide free condoms and lubricants to our clients during weekly Sexual Health Clinic appointments on Tuesdays 9am-11am and Wednesdays 1pm-3pm. For more information give us a call at the Erie County Department of Health, 814-451-6700.

Mark your calendar for December 1st to join the Erie County HIV Task Force (ECHTF) for the 2023 World AIDS Day event. This year recognizes the 35th Anniversary of the annual memorial. In addition to remembering those no longer with us, the ECHTF is asking the community to join us with this year's theme "I am a Work of ART" which bringing together local providers and clients in providing the public with ways to learn about treatment and successes in living with HIV. The word ART this year has a dual meaning. As a medical term, ART is an acronym for Anti-Retroviral Therapy - a combo of meds taken to make HIV undetectable which creates no risk of transmission to others. ART also represents creativity and imagination through various forms of expression. The ECHTF is working in collaboration with the Erie County Department of Health, Community Health Net, PA Thrive Partnership, and Journey to a Trauma Informed Life to bring ART to this year's World AIDS Day event. To learn more about the event, watch for more details in the November and December issues of Erie Gay News as well as send an email to admin@echiv.org for more info. Do you know your HIV status? Consider getting tested for free at the Erie County Department of Health. We help get you started on routine testing, and provide information on PrEP for HIV [prevention medicine] and give you FREE condoms with lube. All this is available during our weekly Sexual Health Clinics on Tuesdays 9am-11am and Wednesdays 1pm-3pm. For more information give us a call at the Erie County Department of Health, 814-451-6700

Erie, PA - On October 18 at Blasco Memorial Public Library, The Northwest Pennsylvania Medical Reserve Corps is sponsoring a free Active Shooter Response and Stop the Bleed Training. Registration is required. This training will educate participants on how to respond to active shooter scenarios and techniques to control life-threatening bleeding.

Did you know that HIV has three stages? The first is referred to as Acute HIV Infection which usually develops within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to HIV that creates the infection. Flu-like symptoms can occur during this time; such as fever, headache, and rash. The amount of measurable HIV in the blood is very high and increases the risk of transmitting the virus. The second stage is referred to as Chronic HIV Infection, also called Asymptomatic HIV Infection. This is when the virus multiplies in the body at very low levels. Most individuals don't notice anything or feel sick/ill. In fact, people living with chronic HIV might not have any symptoms at all. However, without medications, the chronic HIV infection tends to advance into stage three around 10 years or longer. This is why it's important to get tested regularly and know your status. The third stage is referred to as AIDS [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. This is the disease that develops after HIV has severely harmed our immune system, leading to infections that the body cannot fight off. People living with HIV are typically diagnosed with AIDS if their CD4 count is less than 200 cells/mm3 or if they have specific opportunistic infections. When diagnosed with AIDS, a person can have a high HIV count and transmit it very easily to others. Treatment is key and vitally important at this stage because people with AIDS typically survive around 3 years. Do you know your HIV status? Consider getting tested for free at the Erie County Department of Health. We help get you started on routine testing, and provide information on PrEP for HIV [prevention medicine] and give you FREE condoms with lube. All this is available during our weekly Sexual Health Clinics on Tuesdays 9am-11am and Wednesdays 1pm-3pm. For more information give us a call at the Erie County Department of Health, 814-451-6700.

Are you aware that the local health department has a clinic for testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infectious diseases? The services are without cost and can help you stay up to date with routine checks for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV. Interested to know more about PrEP for HIV? We can go over the available options here in Erie County and help get you started. Would you like some FREE condoms? We provide free condoms and lubricants to our clients during weekly Sexual Health Clinic appointments on Tuesdays 9am-11am and Wednesdays 1pm-3pm. For more information give us a call at the Erie County Department of Health, 814-451-6700.

In the US, mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) have reduced since August 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gets reports of cases from ongoing transmission in the US. From April 17 to May 5, 2023, a total of 12 confirmed and one probable case of mpox were reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health. All cases were men showing symptoms. None of the patients have been hospitalized. Nine cases were among men who had received 2 JYNNEOS vaccine doses. Vaccination is one of the best prevention measures. New cases among vaccinated people can occur. People who have completed their two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series may experience less severe symptoms than those who have not. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has mpox is at risk. There are recommended prevention steps and including vaccination if you are exposed to mpox or have a higher risk of being exposed. Vaccination can help protect yourself and your loved ones.

Last summer, men who have sex with men in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States saw an outbreak of a communicable disease that beforehand was seen mostly due to travel from Central or West Africa. Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is part of a family of viruses that cause disease in both humans and many types of animals. Smallpox is an example of a poxvirus that no longer exists in nature. Mpox on the other hand surged in 2022. Over 98% of new confirmed cases have been in locations that have not historically reported mpox before the current outbreak that began last year. The U.S. made up 34.9% of all confirmed cases globally, as Pennsylvania had the 7th highest number of cases at 2.85% of the total national mpox infections. Living in a global society that is very mobile means the spread of communicable diseases can happen quicker and more often than ever before.

The Erie County Department of Health is proud to be a partner organization this year for the upcoming 20th National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week which is being held March 21-25, 2022; made possible by the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. Each year the awareness week provides a chance to bring focus on LGBTQ health equity. Areas of interest include Advocacy, Voting, Non-discrimination, HIV and PrEP, Tran Health, LGBT Seniors and more. Started 20 years ago by the Coalition, this week raises awareness of the unique and important health needs of the LGBTQ communities and coalesces the LGBTQ healthcare community around a variety education and advocacy events that bring together the LGBTQ, LGBTQ healthcare, and allied communities to raise awareness of LGBTQ health topics. Watch for social media posts later this month regarding the available services for the LGBTQ Erie community. For more information, contact the Erie County Department of Health at 814-451-6700 or ecdhinfo@eriecountypa.gov.

Erie, PA - Erie County Department of Health strongly recommends community members-including those who are pregnant-who are sexually active and those who share intravenous needles get tested for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.

You get the results from your regular HIV and STI screening. This time it's different. You're informed a test came back positive. And while it's treatable, you realize someone passed on their infection. You get treatment at the local clinic and they ask if you have informed your recent partners. Maybe they didn't know. Heck, you had no idea. The staff explain this is called asymptomatic, meaning no symptoms appear. But you're not really sure who was source. That's the rub. You can't tell a specific person. And even if you knew who it might be, maybe they'll judge you. Sure, the staff explain that nearly everyone has exposures to all kinds of infectious diseases. But this is different. You're the one that has to tell them. And while it would have been nice to get a heads up before a routine test, now you're supposed to be the responsible one?

PA LGBTQIA Health Conference committee will honor 2020 Honoree of the Keira Kristine DeSantis Award, Janelle Kayla Crossley, at a presentation on Wednesday, September 8 at 10 AM at the Erie County Department of Health, 606 W 2nd St, Erie PA.

PA LGBTQIA Health Conference committee honored 2020 Honoree of the Keira Kristine DeSantis Award, Janelle Kayla Crossley, at a presentation on Wednesday, September 8 at the Erie County Department of Health, 606 W 2nd St, Erie, PA. Speaking at the event was Erie City Mayor Joe Schember.

The 2021 PA LGBTQIA Health Conference will take place virtually this year October 12 - 14, 2021. The conference will feature workshops and presentations addressing the unique health needs of Pennsylvania's LGBTQIA community. In its 4th year, the conference's goal is to provide participants with emerging data, understanding, motivation, and strategies for addressing health disparities, particularly in tobacco with LGBTQIA populations and to Move Forward Together onto a path of equitable rights and inclusive healthcare. For information and to register, go to https://lgbtqiahealth.org/registration.html. The cost is $35, and there are scholarships available.

Erie, PA - County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and Erie County Department of Health announce that Erie County is currently categorized as having a substantial transmission rate of COVID-19, which means it has 50 to 99.99 positive cases per 100,000 people. For this category, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing masks indoors for all, including for those fully vaccinated and those who are immunocompromised. There will be a free mobile vaccination clinic organized by the Erie County Department of Health, available to the residents of Erie County at the 28th Annual Erie Pride Picnic on Saturday, August 14. No insurance is needed and walk-ups are welcome.

Erie, PA - The Erie County Department of Health (ECDH) is inviting community members to help improve Erie County's overall public health efforts by sharing their insights. Interested individuals are asked to participate in the Community Advisory Board (CAB).

Starting in June, the Erie County Department of Health is resuming their free, confidential HIV & STD testing with counseling. Clinic hours are by appointment only weekly on Tuesdays from 9AM to 11:30AM and on Wednesdays from 1PM to 3:30PM. To set up your appointment date and time, call the ECDH at (814) 451-6700, selection Option 3, and then Option 2. The Erie County Department of Health is located at 606 West 2nd Street, Erie PA; on Route 31 with the EMTA. You can also find where to get FREE CONDOMS by browsing the online map supplied by the Erie County HIV Task Force at: ECHIV.org/map

The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center will present an overview of the 2020 Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment focused on Erie. There will be two sessions, both on Thursday, February 25. The first session will be at 1 PM and primarily targets health and human services professionals, and the other session will be at 7 PM, which will mainly target community members. However, anyone is welcome to go to either or both sessions. They are both expected to last about 45 minutes. The link to register for the 1 PM session is here, and the link for the 7 PM session is here.

The Erie County Department of Health and County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper are working in conjunction with Stevens Strategic Communications, a medium-sized public relations firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, to conduct a study to determine how to best communicate COVID-19-related health and safety messages to underserved populations.

Erie, PA - The Erie County Department of Health and County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper encourage Erie County residents to enter the new "Masks of Erie County" design-a-mask challenge, which is aimed at reiterating the importance of wearing masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Contest details are available here: https://eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/masks/. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Erie, PA - The Erie County Department of Health Director Melissa Lyon issued the following statement regarding isolation and quarantine related to COVID-19 in Erie County: "The public needs to understand that the Erie County Department of Health is currently unable to contact the majority of persons diagnosed with COVID-19. If someone is told that they have COVID- 19 disease, immediately isolate yourself; do not wait until the health department contacts you to take this action. Stay in isolation for 10 days from when your symptoms started or 10 days from the test date if you did not have symptoms. You are out of isolation on day 11. Isolation means no contact with anyone in your household, or very minimal contact if it is not possible to use your own bathroom.

Erie, PA - County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and the Erie County Department of Health announce the launch of a new online survey designed to seek feedback from Erie County subgroups to help determine how to best communicate COVID-19-related health and safety messages to underserved populations.

Get the most up-to-date information about COVID-19: https://eriecountypa.gov/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19/

Here we are amid the COVID-19 Pandemic with how we interact having vastly changed. But what about our hookup behaviors? Well, that gets a little tricky now doesn't it. For MSMs [Men having Sex with Men], physical interactions provide many benefits; chief of which is stress release. Sex gives us a rush of hormones. Testosterone increases libido while norepinephrine keeps us alert. Dopamine boosts energy with feelings of desire, motivation, and pleasure. And then we have oxytocin [aka the cuddle hormone] which floods our bodies in significant quantities making us feel close to others, thereby promoting affection.

Almost 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians report that their healthcare provider is not at all or slightly competent about LGBTQ+ health issues. The truth is the healthcare system simply was not designed to serve our needs as LGBTQ+ people. For too long, we have remained unseen, unheard, and underserved. As a result, a wide range of health disparities--from tobacco use, to diabetes, to cancer--have developed within our community.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is proud to announce the call for nominations for the 1st Annual Keira Kristine DeSantis Award for Transgender Advocacy in Pennsylvania. Nominations should be submitted to Jamie Magee at jamagee@phmc.org by March 13th, 2020. The award will be presented at the 2020 PA LGBTQIA Health Conference being held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie June 2 & 3, 2020.

The Pennsylvania LGBTQIA Health Conference 2020 is calling for presenters and posters for the conference. The deadline is Friday, February 28, 2020. Applications may be submitted at the link here. This year's conference will be held June 2 & 3 at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.

For the past 3 years, the PA LGBTQIA+ Health Conference has been held in Cranberry PA. The advisory committee has decided to move the conference around the commonwealth, and this year's conference will be at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel on June 2 & 3! The event features informative presentations, panel discussions, and more about health issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people

The Erie County HIV Task Force is excited to announce a bus shelter and bus ad campaign sponsored by the Erie County Department of Health. These ads offer information about HIV and STD prevention strategies happening in our community: (1) promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), (2) FREE condoms, and (3) FREE testing sites in our community. The ads will be up through the end of August and link to Erie County HIV Task Force website: echiv.org. The website offers information regarding free and confidential STD and HIV testing. There are multiple testing locations in Erie County, making it easy to know your status! The task force also manages the condom distribution program with an ever growing list of businesses and organizations distributing free condoms. Click here for information about testing and condom locations near you.

The Erie County Department of Health and the NW Alliance will be conducting FREE rapid HIV and syphilis testing at the Erie Pridefest in Perry Square at 6th and State St, Erie PA on Saturday, June 29 th from 12pm-3pm. It’s quick, easy, and relatively painless. You will have your results in as little as 40 minutes. We can also talk to you about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). So now you have NO excuse not to get tested. We’ll see you at Pride on Saturday, June 29th

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is recommending Hepatitis A vaccine to populations determined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to be at particular risk for contracting Hepatitis A (HAV), including men who have sex with men.

Greater Erie Action for Equality (GEAE) is hosting two separate smoking cessation groups, which will meet at 301 W. 10th, Erie. Programming made possible by Erie County Department of Health. Classes are both six weeks long; Group 1 begins May 8, Group 2 begins May 10. For information and to sign up contact Rachel Lohr geaeinfo@gmail.com FB: Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE)