ABLE SC, Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter

 

Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter

Vaccine Schedules For You and Your Family Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from serious diseases. Vaccines are recommended based on your age, and it's important for people with disabilities to consult their healthcare provider to determine the best options. Learn more through the Centers for Disease Control or Able SC’s Partnering for Vaccine Equity website. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Cervical cancer is a serious condition that occurs when cancer cells grow on the cervix, the organ connecting the uterus to the vagina. It develops slowly over time and, if untreated, can lead to illness or even death. Fortunately, prevention and early detection have significantly reduced the number of cervical cancer cases in recent years. Vaccination: A Powerful Tool Against Cervical Cancer Protect yourself and your loved ones from cervical cancer by taking advantage of vaccination. Three vaccines—Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix—are highly effective at preventing cervical cancer. These vaccines are recommended for boys and girls starting at age 11. Talk to your child’s pediatrician or your healthcare provider today to learn more about this essential prevention tool. Vaccines are one of the most powerful ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer and safeguard your future. The Importance of Screening In addition to vaccination, regular screening is vital for early detection and treatment. The Pap test (or Pap smear) is a simple and effective screening tool that can detect cervical cancer in its earliest stages. Early detection often leads to successful treatment and better health outcomes. If you have a cervix, speak with your healthcare provider about scheduling a Pap test today. Barriers to Care in the Disability Community For the disability community, accessing cervical cancer prevention and treatment can be particularly challenging. Did you know that: 9% of people with disabilities have had cancer, compared to 5.3% of those without disabilities? Members of the disability community are three times more likely to be denied healthcare? Self-advocacy is crucial in overcoming these barriers. Here are some tips to help ensure your healthcare needs are met: When scheduling your appointment, be specific about the care you’re seeking. Inform the scheduler that you have a disability and request the accommodations you need. Ask what to expect during the appointment so you and your provider can prepare. For more guidance, visit "Getting the Care You Need: Guide for People with Disabilities." Take Action Today You can protect yourself, your family, and your community from cervical cancer by staying informed, getting vaccinated, and scheduling regular screenings. By taking these steps, we can work together to reduce the impact of cervical cancer and promote health equity for everyone. Let’s make January a time to act and advocate for cervical cancer prevention and care! AACR, January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Stay Safe Online: Recognizing and Avoiding Cyberbullying Cyberbullying happens when someone uses the internet, social media, or other digital tools to hurt, scare, or embarrass another person. It can include mean comments, spreading lies, sharing private photos, or sending threatening messages. How to Recognize Cyberbullying: Mean Messages: Hurtful texts, emails, or social media posts. Exclusion: Leaving someone out on purpose in online groups. Sharing Secrets: Posting private information or photos without permission. Fake Accounts: Using false profiles to impersonate or harm someone. How to Avoid Cyberbullying: Be Kind Online: Treat others with respect in all digital spaces. Think Before You Post: Avoid sharing anything that could hurt someone else. Protect Your Privacy: Limit who can see your posts and personal information. Block and Report: Use features to block bullies and report harmful content to the platform. Some states treat certain types of cyberbullying as a crime. Check your state’s laws or talk to local law enforcement for more information. For more tips, visit StopBullying.gov or the Cyberbullying Research Center. Upcoming Opportunities Violence Prevention Consumer Training: 2/12/25 Learn how to recognize the signs of unhealthy and abusive behavior. Explore the importance of consent and personal boundaries, essential for building strong, respectful connections—whether at home or in the workplace. We’ll also dive into why having control over your own body and choices is so important. Join us to empower yourself and create better healthier relationships in every part of your life! Register for the Training on 2/12/25 Stretch 2.0: Pathways to Public Health Equity and Access for South Carolinians with Disabilities The CDCF Stretch program was launched in 2024 to establish an impactful partnership between Able SC, SC Department of Public Health, and the CDC Foundation. The goal of the grant is to identify and address health disparities of people with disabilities in South Carolina.    The SC Stretch partners envision a South Carolina where healthcare access is inclusive and equitable for all. Through collaboration between Able SC and the South Carolina Department of Public Health, we commit to dismantling barriers and biases and fostering inclusive healthcare systems that prioritize the needs and voices of individuals with disabilities. Our shared vision is a future where every South Carolinian can access quality care and participate fully in community life.

Public Health Initiatives Able SC provides advocacy and education to ensure that disability is represented in all areas of public health. We have established state and national partnerships with public health entities to ensure the needs of the disability community are included in all programs and services. We also offer direct programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to the information and resources they need to lead healthy, active, and independent lives.  Public Health Initiatives Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services We organize the SC Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition to ensure people with disabilities are being included and receiving equitable services throughout the state in all aspects of emergency planning. We also provide individual services to assist people with disabilities to prepare for emergency disasters, get the resources they need before, during and after emergency disasters Emergency Prep and Response Services

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Able South Carolina 720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210 803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org Follow Us Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser