HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
August 10, 2022
NACCHO News and Announcements
NACCHO Awards New Implementing Overdose Response Strategies at the Local Level (IOPSLL) Funding
The IOPSLL program supports the implementation or expansion of programs that prevent substance use disorders or overdose in communities and populations of focus. Awardees will use evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches to reduce overdose-related harms in their respective jurisdictions.
From the Field: Research, Policy, and Project Updates
WHO Publishes New Guidelines on HIV, Hepatitis and STIs for Key Populations
As of July 29th, 2022, the World Health Organization has published new guidelines for the treatment of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and several other STIs amongst key populations (men who have sex with men, trans and gender diverse people, sex workers, people who inject drugs and incarcerated people). According to Erika Castellanos, Director of programs at GATE (the global Action for Trans Equality), “key populations must be prioritized, in every setting and this means as outlined in these new guidelines, planning to reach them first with prevention, testing and treatment as well as prioritizing key populations in funding programs.” The new guidelines “highlight the need to address structural barriers and provide prioritized packages of health services for each of the 5 [key] populations.”
A New Sexual Health Tool to Reach the People you Serve
A new STI at-home testing service has been developed that offers 24/7 lab assistance access to walk patients through the process. Results are reported to state and local health jurisdictions’ surveillance departments and discussed with the patient after.
Call for Applications: Barclay-Giel Seed Grants
Wondering if you’re elligible? Any 501c3 non-profit or local/state/tribe/tribal organization with a focus on public health is encouraged to apply. Grants will be open to all areas of public health, with the Surgeon General’s Priorities of special interest. These include topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic like:
- Health misinformation
- Health worker burnout
- Youth mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond
The grants are funded by the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF) for the Advancement of Public Health and are named after the late Martha Barclay-Giel, retired captain of the U.S. Public Health Service.
New FDA Guidance Allows for Alternative Dosing Regimen to Increase Monkeypox Vaccine Supply
The FDA announced on August 9 it is granting Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the JYNNEOS vaccine to be administered intradermally. Because intradermal administration requires a smaller dose, this change allows the number of available doses to increase by as much as five-fold while continuing to ensure the vaccine meets high standards for safety and quality.
CDC is releasing interim clinical guidance and a Dear Colleague Letter from FDA to public health officials, and will be hosting trainings and webinars to support the transition to intradermal administration.
The following resources will be available on CDC’s website over the coming days:
- Interim clinical considerations and supporting FAQ documents
- Training videos
- Clinical outreach webinars and training sessions
- Provider resources including standing orders
HIV, STI, and Hepatitis Resources and News
Monkeypox has been disproportionately affecting gay, bisexual and MSM, the same demographic that is disproportionately affected by HIV. Those with HIV that are not taking antiretroviral drugs may suffer more severely if they contract Monkeypox.
The HIV Prevention Drug that Could Save Millions of People – if They Can Afford it
Low-income nations are not getting the resources they need for HIV treatment. Global infections are notable in young women in sub-Saharan Africa after the rise of COVID-19 forced them to stay home and endure violence from men with HIV. The cost of HIV medication is too high for some low-income areas which has created a lack of dissemination.
HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau Dear Colleague Letter on Monkeypox for RWHAP Recipients
The HRSA Ryan White AIDS Program provides clarification on the use of RWHAP funds for Monkeypox testing, treatment, and vaccination.
News to Note
White House Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency (NPR)
Some Lab Techs Refuse to Take Blood from Possible Monkeypox Patients, Raising Concerns about Stigma and Testing Delays (CNN)
HIV/STI Testing Rates are Too Low in Southeast Michigan (AJMC)
What Should Worry Most Americans About Our Monkeypox Response (The Atlantic)
JYNNEOS Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine: Storage and Handling Summary (CDC)
Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Monkeypox Cases (CDC)
Hub for Monkeypox Information (CDC)
Upcoming Opportunities
Interested in increasing your knowledge regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections? Check out this 3-day virtual course from Johns Hopkins. Through this course, you will learn to:
- Identify the sites from which specimens should be obtained
- Discuss STI diagnosis
- Describe the management of STIs
- Describe the role of the disease intervention specialist (DIS) in STI control
- Describe the importance of interprofessional collaboration in health department and private practice regarding STIs
Course credit is available if you attend the whole program.
Any questions regarding registration should be directed towards Jeanne Hoover via cell (410) 206-1156 or email ([email protected]).
NIPS August Quarterly Call: Monkeypox: August 24th, 2022
Join NCSD for their next call led by a CDC panel as they discuss the latest Monkeypox information. There will also be DIS from all over the US to discuss Monkeypox response. If you have any questions, please submit them ahead of time. Register here!
Program Evaluation Capacity Building Opportunity: January 3rd-6th, 2023 in Atlanta, GA
Are you interested in learning how to develop an evaluation plan for your program? Are you interested in applying evaluation methods to better understand your program? Do you want to learn how to collect data to assess parts of your program?
If so, this might be the perfect learning opportunity for you!
The Practicum is a unique learning and experiential opportunity for Harvard students and public health programs to collaborate on evaluation. Students and programs will team up and attend an in-person 4-day, beginner’s-level program evaluation training (January 3-6, 2023) in Atlanta, GA at the CDC, followed by an in-person field week with the STD control program staff and HSPH students meeting with stakeholders to further develop the program’s evaluation plan (January 9-13, 2023).
The Practicum focuses on introductory evaluation concepts and evaluation planning and is appropriate for staff who are involved in evaluation-related activities for their STD program.
If your program is interested, the completed STD Program Proposal form must be submitted to Christina Chung ([email protected]) by Friday, September 9, 2022. Email Grace Murtha ([email protected]) to request the STD Program Proposal form.
2022 STD Prevention Conference: September 19th-22nd 2022
Join the National Coalition of STD Directors for a virtual conference on STD prevention led by the CDC.
National HPV Vaccination Roundtable National Meeting: September 28th 2022
Join the National Coalition of STD Directors for a virtual meeting to discuss HPV vaccination stats and strategy to increase vaccination. The meeting will take place on September 28th from 1 to 5 pm EST. Register here!
