HSLIC News

Today is National HIV Testing Day. First observed on June 27, 1995, this is an annual day designed to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment. 

The theme for 2022, “HIV Testing is Self-care.” The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” is timely, given that self-care has been a particularly important topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also timely as the need for individual and community actions to promote physical and mental health remain critical.

HIV testing is an act of self-care. According to the CDC, encouraging people to get tested and know their HIV status can help them stay healthy. Today, there are more free, easy, fast, and confidential HIV testing options available than ever before. Testing, including self-testing, is the first step to engaging in HIV prevention or treatment services. HIV testing is a critical tool to helping us end the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Watch this Taking the Test is Taking Care of You video to learn more about HIV testing and self-care.

Currently, CDC and many other organizations are distributing free HIV self-testing kits . You can find more information about HIV testing on our HIV Testing Overview page.

Content courtesy of HIV.gov

What is Juneteenth? In short, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery int he United States.

June 19th became a federal holiday in 2021 however, it has a rich history of celebration before President Biden officially recognized the day as a holiday. Juneteenth, which is officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, can also be referred to as, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. 

The last state of the US to proclaim freedom for enslaved people was Texas, when on June 19th, 1863 an announcement was made by General Order No. 3. Due to its geographic location, Texas was the last state to hear and recognize the news of President Lincoln's emancipation Proclamation.
 

How is Juneteenth celebrated today?

"Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures," according to the holiday's website. 

The Juneteenth website also states that historically, "food was abundant because everyone

prepared a special dish. Meats such as lamb, pork, and beef which were not available everyday were brought on this special occasion. A true Juneteenth celebration left every visitor "well satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the next."

However you choose to acknowledge the holiday we hope that you can take this opportunity to honor and celebrate Black history, culture, and futures.

For more information about events in Albuquerque see,

https://www.cabq.gov/office-of-equity-inclusion/events/2022-juneteenth

For more information on the Federal holiday see,

https://www.govinfo.gov/features/juneteenth

See the Smithsonian’s Gallery on the Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

The Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center is excited to present a special display for Pride Month. Please visit the second floor of the library to explore health sciences resources connected to LGBTQIA+ topics and make a Pride button. Resources on display include several print books and descriptions of selected e-book titles on LGBTQIA+ topics related to health sciences. To accompany the display, a Pride Virtual Exhibit is available on HSLIC's website with even more information.   

In addition, HSLIC continues to provide our LGBTQIA+ Health Resources Guide updated in June 2021 by Anna Cibils, Library Services Specialist and Nursing student, and Kelleen Maluski, your Student Success & Engagement Librarian. This guide is intended to be used as a resource for researchers, students, and faculty to help them in providing care and conducting appropriate research with the LGBTQIA+ community. The guide has many resources but it also gives contextual information on the various communities represented with this term and regarding our terminology. Use this search thread for a comprehensive list of all titles connected to LGBTQIA+ topics available in our e-book collection.

UNM HSC is planning  Pride Month events to address LGBTQIA+ history and leadership in health sciences. Visit UNM’s LGBTQ Resource Center for more information and events. For a history of the LGBTQIA+ Rights Movement, visit the USC One Archives Foundation.