HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
July 27, 2022
Highlights of the Week
Request for Information:
We would love to hear about any monkeypox resources local health departments have created. If your LDH has any information or has developed monkeypox resources, please share them with Daisha Washington.
Join NACCHO’S HSH Team as a Senior Program Analyst-HIV
NACCHO is hiring for Senior Program Analyst -HIV who will work with a broad range of local health department, community-based, and national partners to promote and support Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) and other HIV program initiatives at the local level. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and technical expertise in HIV prevention and control, and experience or expertise related to governmental public health, public health policy, the provision of technical and capacity building assistance, partnership development, and project management.
ICYMI: Thursday, July 28th was World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about, recognize the impact of, and decrease the stigma associated with viral hepatitis across the world. Viral hepatitis is a leading public health threat, contributing to cirrhosis, liver cancer and transplants, and—prior to the COVID-19 pandemic—more deaths in the United States than any other infectious disease.
HIV, STI, Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Resources and News
Taking An Antibiotic After Sex Could Help Curb Three Common STDs
A new study has shown that taking a single dose of a widely used, cheap antibiotic within 3 days after condomless sex can help prevent chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. However, there are worries the regimen could trigger antibiotic resistance and scientists are divided.
Hellooo America: Sexual Health and Rights in Refugee Communities
Hellooo America is a three-part mini series, for and by refugee youth, exploring the often-stigmatized conversations around sexual health and rights in the refugee community. Backed by sexual health experts, Hellooo America is a low-pressure space where young refugees can access the information they need to lead safe and healthy lives, in a way that affirms their family, culture, and futures.
CDC has released new guidance for healthcare professionals providing care for people with HIV that include prevention and treatment of monkeypox virus and infection.
NEW! CDC Training Program for Partner Services Available to Disease Intervention Specialists
Whether new to the field or a seasoned disease intervention specialist (DIS), this program is designed to strengthen your interviewing skills through role playing practice interview sessions for syphilis and HIV cases. The interview sessions are facilitated by experienced disease intervention professionals from CDC’s Division of STD Prevention and tailored to the individual DIS.
Webinar Recording: Check Yourself: How LHDs Can Use Self-Collected STI Tests
On Thursday, July 14, 2022, NACCHO and the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) co-hosted an action-packed webinar titled, Check Yourself: How LHDs Can Use Self-Collected STI Tests, to discuss the Check Yourself Program which was developed in partnership with Lets Get Checked.
The O’Neill Institute and amfAR are jointly releasing a new brief on monkeypox and meningococcal disease, Monkeypox and Meningoccal Disease Outbreaks Signal New Health Threats for Communities Heavily Impacted by HIV and Demand Immediate Action. There is also an accompanying one-page summary. This brief adds to growing calls for more urgent action and estimates that U.S. monkeypox diagnoses will approach or top 11,000 by the time the first group of people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated under current two-dose guidelines that indicate full protection (six weeks from first dose). The brief also spotlights a large and growing outbreak of meningococcal disease. Both of these outbreaks are currently concentrated among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
CDC Monkeypox Key Messages and Partner Update
The CDC has compiled a document of key messages about the monkeypox outbreak and CDC’s response here. CDC is also hosting a weekly Public Health Partner Update webinar on Thursdays at 1 PM EST. Health department staff, clinicians, and other public health partners can save the recurring webinar event to their calendar by clicking here to download and import the iCalendar (.ics) file to their calendar system.
In the News
- Monkeypox virus could become entrenched as new STD in the US - AP
- We’re Testing for Monkeypox the Wrong Way - The Atlantic
- White House announces $140 million for monkeypox research priorities - Politico Pro
Events and Webinars
Monkeypox Community Listening Session
August 2nd 3:00-4:00pm ET
Hosted by: AIDS United
Ending Infectious Disease Syndemic Plans: The Role of Status Neutral Approaches Beyond HIV
September 8th 1:00-2:00pm ET
Hosted by: Division of STD Prevention
Addressing STIs: Ask. Test. Treat. Repeat
September 15th 12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Hosted by: HRSA
