The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48397

Gale Madyun, BSW, MPA (Cand), OWL (Older Women's League), P.O. Box 952, Chino, CA 91708, 909 467-9938, GMadyun@aol.com

The workshops were created to target women 50 and over that are sexually active as an underserved population for discussions of safe sex practices. Physicians and government officials in the allocation of funds and services traditionally ignore this group. Yet, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report heterosexuals 50 and older are the fastest-growing AIDS demographics in the nation today. When women are educated on the risks, they can make better choices for themselves, their partners, family, and friends. The tools of empowerment stress the use of condoms consistently and the engagement of informative discussions with physicians and partners, about sexually transmitted diseases. The candid discussion of facts and women's vulnerability to disease, transform the groups into self-advocates for an awareness, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDs and other STDs. At the end of the workshops women are able to demonstrate the correct use of condoms, understand specific ways of transmission, the portals of entry, and are encouraged to have regular gynecological checkups. One hundred per cent of attendants report a better understanding of the HIV/AIDS virus and their risk for contracting the virus after workshops.

Learning Objectives:

• The workshops were created to target women 50 and over that are sexually active as an underserved population for discussions of safe sex practices. Physicians and government officials in the allocation of funds and services traditionally ignore this group. Yet, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report heterosexuals 50 and older are the fastest-growing AIDS demographics in the nation today. When women are educated on the risks, they can make better choices for themselves, their partners, family, and friends. The tools of empowerment stress the use of condoms consistently and the engagement of informative discussions with physicians and partners, about sexually transmitted diseases. The candid discussion of facts and women's vulnerability to disease, transform the groups into self-advocates for an awareness, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDs and other STDs. At the end of the workshops women are able to demonstrate the correct use of condoms, understand specific ways of transmission, the portals of entry, and are encouraged to have regular gynecological checkups. One hundred per cent of attendants report a better understanding of the HIV/AIDS virus and their risk for contracting the virus after workshops.

Keywords: Associated Health Professionals,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The social worker and former ombdusmen is president of Inland Empire OWL (Older Women's League), advocates a paradigm shift in health care practice and policy, created the grassroots workshops to deliver information to the underserved population of senior
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.