NACCHO News and Announcements
Regional Insights: Syphilis Summit Findings by NACCHO and The Raven Collective
Aug 27, 2024 12:00 PM EST
This webinar will explore the unique challenges and innovative solutions addressing the inequitable impact of syphilis and congenital syphilis on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Recognizing that effective interventions must be community-driven, this session will present key findings from the Regional Syphilis Partnerships Summits, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between state and local health departments and tribal communities, and highlight the work of the Indian Country Congenital Syphilis Taskforce, an initiative designed to align with federal efforts while focusing on the specific needs of AI/AN communities. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these partnerships are addressing the syphilis burden and will learn principles that, while tailored to AI/AN populations, can be applied to broader public health efforts. This session is relevant to all audiences, regardless of their current engagement with AI/AN communities, as the strategies discussed have universal applicability.
Register here.
Coding for Change: National Academies Hackathons Tackle the U.S. STI Epidemic
In the United States, the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has reached epidemic proportions, with more than 2.5 million cases reported in 2022 alone. As new technology and media tools continue to advance, including artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing opportunity for novel avenues to prevent the spread of STIs and democratize access to diagnostic tools and care resources.
With the promise of technological solutions in mind, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies), partnered with the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials to host two hackathons designed to spur new ideas to help curb the rapidly growing number of STI cases in the United States.
To read more about it, click here. NACCHO will be holding a webinar on Wednesday, August 28th at 3:00 PM EST to discuss how a hackathon was used to generate innovative tech and new media approaches to prevent and control STIs, including live demos.
Register here.
NACCHO and CredibleMind Celebrate a Year of Positive Outcomes with Its Behavioral Health 360 Program
NACCHO and CredibleMind, Inc. celebrate a year collaboration that has increased access to mental health support for almost 25 million people in hundreds of counties, cities, and tribal lands across the country. This initiative, designed to help combat the nation’s mental health and substance use crisis, leverages a strong NACCHO and CredibleMind collaboration to empower local public health departments and communities with a turnkey program. The program’s one-year milestone was celebrated at NACCHO360.
HIV, STI, Hepatitis & Harm Reduction Resources and News
Get Out the Word about Doxy PEP!
FREE digital graphics and videos from KFF’s Together Greater Than are available to support your outreach about this new STD prevention tool.
Doxy PEP is medication taken within 72 hours after sex to prevent some common STDs. In June, the CDC released clinical guidelines for prescribing doxy PEP for at-risk populations.
Studies show doxy PEP is very effective in reducing the risk of getting syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men and transgender women.
The Ending the HIV/HCV/Syphilis Epidemics in Indian Country II (ETHIC II): A Syndemic Elimination Program for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Urban Indian Communities NOFO
Eligible Applicants:
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Additional Information on Eligibility:
To be eligible for this funding opportunity, an applicant must be one of the following as defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603: • A federally recognized Indian Tribe as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14). The term “Indian Tribe” means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group, or regional or village corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. • A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(1)): ‘‘Tribal organization’’ means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or Tribal Resolutions from the Tribes to be served. • An Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29). The term “Urban Indian organization” means a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center, governed by an Urban Indian controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide proof of nonprofit status with the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).
Check out the funding opportunity here.
STI Awareness Webinar Series: Gaps in Sexual Health Practices and Diverse Testing Needs
Sept 5, 2024 2 PM EST
Join NCSD on Thursday, September 5th at 1 pm CST/2 pm EST for the third webinar in the series titled “Bridging the Gap: Inclusive Practices for Gender-Affirming STI Testing”. This webinar, in partnership with Hologic, will highlight an overview of recent climate/impact on the trans and non-binary community, review implementing trauma-informed practices and why language matters in testing, and emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusivity of testing. Register Here
From Fingerstick to Cure: Factors to Consider Around Adoption and Implementation of Hepatitis C RNA Point-of-Care Testing
In June 2024, the FDA authorized the Cepheid Xpert HCV test to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, marking a significant milestone for the viral hepatitis community in the U.S. This first-ever HCV RNA point-of-care (POC) test runs on the GeneXpert Xpress system in CLIA-waived settings. It detects HCV RNA in adults aged 22 years and older via fingerstick, providing positive results in as little as 41 minutes, with negative results confirmed within 60 minutes.
To read more of this blog, click here.
HRSA HAB Releases New Doxy PEP & STI Program Letter
HRSA HAB released a new program letter outlining their recommendation that RWHAP recipients and subrecipients adopt CDC’s guidelines to establish doxy PEP practices in clinical settings for administration to at-risk populations.
News to Note
- Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus to Import Penicillin to Address US Shortage- Reuters
- Hispanic Women Are Less Likely to Get PrEP Treatment ? New Intervention Could Change That - The Conversation
- Why is Mpox an Emergency Again, and How Worried Should I Be? - Reuters
- Pregnant women undertested for STIs, finds Quest Diagnostics Health Trends study of over 4 million pregnancies – PR Newswire
- CDC finally puts $7 million toward pilots for free, easy PrEP access – The Body