Local

SIHA Local Project’s has been providing “health for all” in our own backyard since the early 1990’s. In 2003, SIHA formed a formal working partnership with the HIV Network Society of Edmonton (i.e. HIV Edmonton) and has since worked with HIV Edmonton to deliver HIV/AIDS education programs in the greater Edmonton Area, including schools and youth groups. In addition, SIHA provides education about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to these same areas through informal partnerships with Options Sexual Health Association (formerly Planned Parenthood) and the STD Centre. Ultimately, SIHA’s goal is to provide information about harm reduction in a non-biased, non-judgmental way). This involves presenting youth with options on reducing or eliminating their participation in activities that could put them at risk for contracting HIV or STIs. We are also aiming to address the issue of the comfort-level of youth when negotiating the use of safe-sex barriers, and making related positive lifestyle choices.

New to SIHA Local in 2010 are the following curricula: Dietary Health and Tobacco Prevention & Cessation. Approximately 1/3 of the population of North America is obese, resulting in one of the highest heart disease rates in the world. In collaboration with the Mazankowski Heart Institute, SIHA has developed a presentation to combat obesity and educate youth about positive life choices regarding diet, exercise and cardiovascular health. By providing general health information through peer education our hope is that this program will have a significant impact on the rising incidence of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and its resulting human and economic costs in our city, province and country. Working with Alberta Health Services Addiction Services (formerly AADAC) and the Teaming up for Tobacco-Free Kids Campaign SIHA has developed a curriculum aimed at decreasing use of tobacco products by youth. SIHA's goal with these new curricula follows our mandate of promoting health for all, increasing awareness among youth about positive lifestyle choices through peer-to-peer education and reducing the stresses these illnesses place on our health care system. In addition to our youth education programs, SIHA also works on the University of Alberta main campus to raise awareness among students in regards to all of the aforementioned health topics. It is our hope that with these efforts and all of the education programs mentioned above we can help to promote health lifestyle choices among today’s youth.

SIHA Local's Main Objectives:

• To provide information, support, and skills around sexuality, STI & HIV prevention, Tobacco use and dietary health to youth through peer-facilitated workshops
• To reduce the incidence of risky sex behaviours among the youth using a harm reduction model
• To promote health lifestyle choices among youth

SIHA Curricula Currently Available:

• HIV/AIDS
• Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Dietary Health (Nutrition and Excercise)

For any questions, please email us at siha.local@gmail.com

To book a presentation for any of our curricula, please refer to the calendar below for available dates & times and email us at siha.local@gmail.com

Presentations for SIHA Local are listed in the Calender below: