(Sharing 1/5/2026)Biweekly CHW message - Cervical Health Made Simple

Cervical Health Made Simple

It's easy to put off screening for cervix cancer – at least 1 in 4 women and people with cervixes do, for many reasons. January is Cervical Health Month, a good time to highlight big changes that are reshaping this field.

• How Often? Most people need screening only every 3-5 years  – not yearly anymore. We used to start at age 18, but the current standard is 21, with some experts even pushing for age 25. The age shifted as we better understood the HPV virus, and as the HPV vaccine was adopted.

• What's HPV? Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the virus that causes pre-cancer ("dysplasia") and cancer of the cervix, throat, mouth, anus, penis, vulva and vagina. While relatively few people progress to cancer, many people who are screened will have dysplasia, which leads to repeat tests, uncomfortable biopsies and other consequences. The attached "tip of the iceberg" infographic shows this visually.

• To prevent HPV, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a vaccine starting at ages 9 through 12 – their HPV page explains why this is an ideal age. 

• What Does Screening Involve? The traditional way is shown in this 3-minute video from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (they also made this quiz and FAQ). The newest way: A home self-swab for HPV, costing from $99 (with insurance) to $249 (self-pay).

Bottom line: With fewer recommended screenings and emerging home tests (which hopefully are cheaper over time), it's easier than ever to stay on track. Even if you think you're low risk, regular screening still matters. The vaccine covers only 90% of cancer-causing HPV strains, and our screening tests are imperfect, so repetition helps. Ways to learn more and share your knowledge this month:

• Host a cervical health workshop using one of these CHW toolkits: Face Your Health (for Black women) and AMIGAS (for Latinas), both from the CDC

• Explore first-hand stories from Texans who had dysplasia and cervix cancer: Cervivor

• Join MD Anderson Cancer Center for a series of three webinars on eliminating cervical cancer, all from noon to 1:30 PM: Vaccination on Jan. 27, Screening on Jan. 28, Treatment on Jan. 29. Register

Respiratory Infection Updates

• Flu is on the upswing  -- officially High nationally and locally. 

• Signs you might have flu: Respiratory symptoms plus sudden fever, chills, body aches and fatigue (and in children, vomiting and diarrhea). Flu moves fast.

• For children under 2, seniors, pregnant people, and those with certain medical conditions, treatment with antiviral pills is recommended within 2 days of symptoms -- which requires prompt testing. More than 280 U.S. children died from flu last season, so I am attaching the CDC's guide for parents, which explains danger signs.

• Wash your hands often, cover your cough and take steps to stay healthy (CDC) 

• Data sources: CDC respiratory virus data channel | Metro Health dashboard | DSHS dashboard | TexWEB wastewater dashboard | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater dashboard 

Spotlight: Reader Survey

Please fill out a brief survey for me about how you receive and use this email update -- you could win your own glossy copies of Those Who Seek, Find / El que busca, encuentra, a comic about navigating U.S. the healthcare system.  Ten winners will be randomly selected on Jan. 16.

Take the survey

Healthcare Navigation Resources of the Week

·                     Go-to's for teen mental health, which has been in the news this week:

o        Proven to prevent anxiety and depression: Project YES - now shorter, still free and anonymous. Co-created by teens and backed by UT Health. English & Spanish.

o        For non-emergencies: sacrd.org's Mental Health Portal and NOW Clinic

o        For crises: 210-233-7233 (Center for Health Care Services)

·                     Ways to get cervical health screening without health insurance:

o        Healthy Texas Women and the Family Planning Program cover Paps, HPV tests and other health care. Find agencies that help with enrollment here. Healthy Texas Women patients without other means of travel are eligible for  the Texas Medical Transportation Program.

o        For some uninsured or underinsured patients: Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) program for biopsies and some treatments, and Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer for treatment, lab tests, hospital care and service coordination.

·                     Flu testing and treatment:

o        The most accurate tests are at urgent care centers and doctors' offices; these places can also prescribe you an antiviral, if you're eligible.

o        A cheaper, 2-step option: 1) Buy a home rapid flu + COVID test from any retail pharmacy. 2) If you test positive and are eligible for antivirals, seek a prescription via telehealth.

·                     Let's remind existing ACA Marketplace users to log in by Jan. 15, if they haven't already, to avoid auto-renewal and sticker shock.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities  

• NACHW asks CHWs, CHW supervisors and employers to complete this brief survey so they can learn more about how CHWs are showing up to help people with food access.

• The Lupus Foundation of America invites applications for the CHW Mini-Grant Program, which funds organizations that employ CHWs to support people with lupus. Webinar Jan. 6, apply by Jan. 31. More info

• For appointments with the women's health mobile unit at Impacto Comunitario, 211 N. Park Blvd. (78204), register here.

• Jan. 7, 1 PM-2 PM, City rental assistance application portal opens (second Wednesday of each month)

• Jan. 8, 9 AM-10 AM, Bexar County CHW Partnership monthly meeting online. Click to join

• Jan. 8, 11 AM-noon, Reset & Restore: Trauma-Informed Nervous System Regulation Practices, a webinar from the Institute for Trauma Informed Care. Register

• Jan 8, noon-1 PM, National CHW Policy Working Group. Register for calendar invites

• Jan. 8, 6 PM, Good Health Wins virtual Community of Practice. Reconnect, share updates and set the tone for another eventful year. Register

• Jan. 9, 12-3 PM (and most other Fridays), Yanawana Herbolarios People's Clinic, Maverick Park, 1000 Broadway (78215). More info

• Jan. 10, 9 AM-noon, YWCA mobile health unit for people ages 9 to 64, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237). Contact Teresa at VDS@ywcasa.com or 210-956-6943.

• Jan. 13, 2:30 PM-4 PM, webinar on State Community Health Worker Policy 101 from the National Academy for State Health Policy. Register

• Jan. 14, 11 AM-12:30 PM, car seat safety from Latched Support, virtual. Register

• Jan. 14, 1 PM-2 PM, Mujeres con Confianza plática on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. United Way Eastside Family Resource Center, 215 Coca-Cola Pl, Suite 203 (78219). Register by Jan. 12, details on attached flyer.

• Jan. 15, 9 AM-noon, Sacrd.org action lab on Common Needs in Education, ESC-20, 1314 Hines (78208). Register

• Jan. 16, 9 AM-1 PM, free mammograms at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). Make an appointment at 210-433-9922 x212 or email amora@ywcasa.org or bgarcia@ywcsa.org.

• Jan. 16: Fecha límite de aplicaciones para una serie de seis sesiones en una comunidad de práctica centrada en el aprendizaje sobre la diabetes en general, nutrición, salud mental, complicaciones y más. Se seleccionarán aproximadamente 30 participantes para conformar la cohorte Diabetes ECHO 2026. Información y registración

• Jan. 17, 10 AM-noon, free period products distribution (1-month supply) from Girls Inc., 2214 Basse Rd. (78213). Register 

• San Antonio Compassion posts flyers for resources and upcoming events here.

Logistics—How Do I Get…  

VACCINES 

• Uninsured? For recommended childhood vaccines and some adult vaccines, click the green buttons on this page for Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net providers.

• Insured? The American Pharmacists Association offers this pharmacy map -- filter by walk-in vaccine access, handicap accessibility, hours of operation and spoken languages. (No matter what the map says, it still helps to make an appointment.) There is never a co-pay or deductible for recommended vaccines.

• Homebound seniors: Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines in the home, more info here.

• Everyone is still eligible for COVID vaccines this year, and it is still covered by insurance. Hate the side effects? Look for the non-mRNA formulation (the "protein vaccine" here). 

  • No prescription is required at the major national pharmacy chains.

  • For those without health insurance, this is the best discount coupon I've found ($89 as of December 2025)--still pricey, but cheaper than the treatment pills. 

  • If you are unable to get the vaccine, remember the old standbys of clean air, frequent handwashing, masking, staying away from others who are sick (and also when you're sick). More info

TESTING

• The federal program for free home tests has ended. Some health insurers still cover these.

• How to Use Home COVID and Flu Tests:

  • Lab tests are preferred for people with symptoms. If you are unable to obtain a lab test, then repeat your home COVID test every 48 hours for a total of at least two tests.

  • If any result is positive, stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours—until your symptoms are getting better and you’ve haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducers).

• Before throwing out an expired home test, see if the expiration date was extended by checking the Expiration Date column of the FDA’s List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.

TREATMENT 

• Medications must start quickly (within 5 days of symptoms for COVID, within just 2-3 days for the flu)—so don’t delay getting a test and a diagnosis. 

• If you are at risk for complications and need antiviral pills: Low-cost online visits are available. Some people are eligible for co-pay assistance from the drug manufacturer. Learn more.