The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an average of 35.0 million people worldwide with HIV, with about 2.1 million people newly infected in 2013. It’s imperative to stay educated on HIV/AIDS to help control and prevent disease transmission. Acquiring insight and carrying out safety measures empowers individuals in their personal health and wellbeing of others.

7 Safety Tips for HIV Control & Prevention:

1. Get Tested.  Several HIV testing options are available such as home kits, and blood exams which are more commonly done in healthcare facilities. For optimal results it's best to test for HIV through a blood sample, which can be done in most clinics and medical facilities. Please visit AIDS.gov for testing information and to find a local clinic in your area.

2. Ask Questions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares commonly asked questions on HIV transmission and prevention. For instance, how safe are condoms in preventing the transmission of HIV? How can someone with HIV prevent the spread of disease when living with other people? Can male circumcision stop the transmission of HIV? The CDC addresses these questions and more. Visit the CDC to read more on HIV control and prevention.

Domestic violence is often thought of as physical brutality, yet in definition it covers a broad range of abusive behaviors. Abuse affects individuals from all socioeconomic, racial, gender, and cultural backgrounds. Domestic Violence happens to people of all ages, ranging from children to the elderly population. 

The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as follows:

We define domestic violence as a pattern to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic linked hospital off-hours to increased death rates following a heart attack. Researchers reviewed an average of 2 million medical records, analyzing patient outcomes 30 days after experiencing a heart attack. Results demonstrated a 5-percent higher chance of death, for clients arriving to the hospital during weekends and evening shifts. Patients, who arrived to the hospital during off-hours, experienced a 15 minute longer wait time than patients admitted during weekdays and normal business hours. Could these tragedies have been a result of understaffed medical units?