National Suicide Prevention Week (September 10-16, 2023) is an opportunity to raise awareness, spread hope and share vital information on how everyone can play a role in suicide prevention. It is vital that we have these important conversations with those we care about.
International Overdose Awareness Day is observed on August 31 each year with the goal of preventing overdoses, combating stigma around substance use disorder and acknowledging the grief of loved ones left behind.
Ending the Epidemics SC (EtE SC) and DHEC were recently invited to Washington, D.C. to bring the U=U display to the launch of the U=U National Task Force. According to Prevention Access Campaign, South Carolina is the only state in the nation to have made such a dramatic, impactful U=U display. The display demonstrates for someone in treatment living with HIV, “Undetectable = Untransmittable.”
“It is an honor to have representatives from South Carolina demonstrating your state’s commitment to U=U, the work you are all doing and to display the sign you’ve created,” said Deondre Moore, senior consultant for PAC, in his invitation to DHEC. “The world needs to see this display.”
Three events highlighted the launch of the U=U Nation Taskforce, beginning with a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas District 18 and a member of the Congressional HIV Caucus, announced the launch of the task force. This was followed by a Gratitude Gathering for U=U Allies held at the Human Rights Campaign Headquarters.
There was also screening of the Ending HIV in America Film, held June 8 at the Alamo Drafthouse Theatre. (Click hereto watch this film for free!)
Participation in this event demonstrates a brilliant partnershipof dedicated allies promoting the revolutionary good news of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), thata person living with HIV, who is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit HIV.
Continuing this great partnership, a small South Carolina team is creating a build-your-own U=U modular display instruction manual for PAC to post on its website for others to use. The goal is to help everyone living with HIV achieve viral suppression, benefit from U=U and end HIV in the U.S. and the world.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, and August 1-7 was World Breastfeeding Week.
In recognition of these observances, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is raising awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and challenging DHEC staff to work together to ensure “breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition,” as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.