HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
June 23, 2023
NACCHO News and Announcements
NACCHO’s HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis team recognizes the important contributions of Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) to the HIV/STI workforce and would like to support and elevate their work. Over the next year, NACCHO plans to roll out a number of DIS-specific activities and encourages DIS to sign-up for our listserv to learn more!
HHS Releases First-Ever STI Implementation Plan
On June 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the first-ever STI Federal Implementation Plan, which delineates federal and nonfederal partners’ roles and responsibilities in preventing new STIs, reducing adverse outcomes of STIs, accelerating STI research, technology, and innovation, reducing health disparities, and integrating efforts to address the STI epidemic and sets out specific action steps to implement and achieve the five goals of the STI National Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
NACCHO is excited about many elements of the implementation plan and especially that one action step is to support local health departments (LHDs) in designing and piloting models of practice for expanded STI care and services in the pharmacy and retail health clinic settings. We are currently working on this via our “Leveraging Pharmacies for STI Services and Care” project with five local health departments, our review of the scope of practice activities with the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), and our newly released pharmacist sexual health training created with the National Network of Prevention Training Centers (NNPTCs), the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) and the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA).
It is important to acknowledge that the looming debt ceiling negotiation may impact the resources that many STI programs at LHDs rely on to provide STI prevention and treatment services and could compromise or undermine efforts to implement this plan and further exacerbate funding issues to bolster our workforce to respond adequately to the rise in STI trends. NACCHO will continue to support our members to address STIs in all communities across the US.
Opioid Settlements, Harm Reduction, and Leveraging Local Health Department Expertise: Part 3
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in partnership with Community Education Group (CEG) is hosting a 3-part webinar series on how local health departments and their community partners can leverage opioid settlement funds to support evidence-based syndemic strategies to reduce harms associated with opioid use and other drugs vulnerable to opioid contamination.
On Tuesday, June 6th, 2-3pm ET, we took a deeper dive into allowable expenses including model practices, creative ideas for using funds, and how to prioritize initiatives based on available funds.
Links to register for upcoming Opioid Settlement webinars and office hours:
- Part Three Webinar- Thursday, July 6th, 2-3pm https://naccho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X-AP76KNTq2JkT7fzTc85g
- Office Hours- Tuesday, July 18th 2-3pm https://naccho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9i7Yyp4bSpevI42H64WmiQ
Request for Proposals: Consultant to Develop Communications Products for Overdose and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Prevention Programs
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is seeking a consultant to develop a suite of communications materials highlighting the Implementing Overdose Prevention Strategies at the Local Level (IOPSLL) program, the Comprehensive Community Approaches to Preventing Substance use (CCAPS) program, and their awardees. The consultant will develop communications products that highlight overall project outcomes, describe the program models and their key strategy areas, and highlight project outcomes of awardees. Full details of the project goals and application requirements can be found in the Request for Proposals. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, at 5:00PM EST. Submissions after this deadline will not be considered. Applicants may pose individual questions to NACCHO at any point during the application process by emailing the Injury and Violence Prevention Team at [email protected].
HIV, STI, and Hepatitis Resources and News
Tecovirimat (TPOXX) Available Via STOMP Trial
Tecovirimat is FDA-approved to treat smallpox based on efficacy data in animals and safety data from healthy human volunteers. The safety and efficacy of tecovirimat for the treatment of human mpox has not been established. However, tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been used to treat patients, including those with severe disease, during the multinational outbreak that began in May 2022.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the Study of Tecovirimat for Human Mpox Virus (STOMP), which is designed to evaluate whether TPOXX is safe and effective for the treatment of mpox. The STOMP trial aims to enroll more than 500 people from 70 worldwide study locations and includes a remote enrollment option at some study sites. This research remains a public health priority even when mpox disease burden is low in the United States. Most jurisdictions in the United States may be at risk of resurgence or new mpox outbreaks.
Evidence-based interventions are needed to respond to current and future mpox outbreaks within and beyond the United States. To help meet domestic and international mpox response goals, CDC is urging clinicians to let patients with mpox know that oral tecovirimat is available through STOMP and encourage them to enroll.
Providers with mpox patients who decline enrollment in or are ineligible for STOMP, or require intravenous tecovirimat treatment, can request tecovirimat by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at (770) 488-7100 or [email protected]. Providers can also request a clinical consultation regarding management of mpox patients by calling the CDC EOC or [email protected].
The STOMP study protocol is open to children and adults of all races and genders, people living with HIV, and pregnant and breastfeeding people. It is also open to people with less severe disease who might not be eligible for treatment with tecovirimat under EA-IND. However, people who have had prior treatment with tecovirimat or who need tecovirimat treatment intravenously are not eligible for STOMP.
Providers should inform patients about STOMP so they can consider enrolling in the study. However, enrollment in the study is voluntary, and patients who decline to take part, or who do not meet the criteria to participate, can still obtain tecovirimat if recommended.
For more information about obtaining TPOXX or about the STOMP study, visit www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/clinicians/obtaining-tecovirimat.html or https://www.stomptpoxx.org/main.
Free STI Starter Kits
The HRSA/HAB Special Projects of National Significance sexually transmitted infection (STI) initiative is distributing free starter kits to help routinize STI screening, testing, and treatment. Scan the QR code below to order your starter kit or click here for the order form. You can also go to TargetHIV.org/STIs to download many of the materials in the starter kit.
NNDITC Free Interactive Trainings
The National Network of Disease Intervention Training Centers (NNDITC) are offering free interactive, skill-building trainings for the disease intervention community! Learn more & register for upcoming courses here: Learning Collaboratives - National DITC
Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis Report
Rates of congenital syphilis (CS)—when a pregnant person passes the infection to the infant during pregnancy or birth—are continuing to climb at an alarming rate in the United States. CS causes stillbirth, infant death, and/or other serious and permanent complications including musculoskeletal defects, vision and hearing problems, and developmental delays. Timely diagnosis and treatment of syphilis among pregnant people can prevent CS. Public health leaders can help by supporting policy solutions that reduce structural barriers to syphilis diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy and encourage better access to regular prenatal care for all pregnant people.
HIV Testing Day Resources
National HIV Testing Day 2023 Toolkit
AIDSVu released PrEP use data and maps by race/ethnicity at the state-level for 2022. These data reveal the importance of looking at PrEP use through a health equity lens. To be effective, programs should be driven by the goal of increasing PrEP use among populations with the greatest unmet need for PrEP.
AIDSVu is releasing these updated data in advance of National HIV Testing Day this year to recognize the importance of including PrEP in a holistic HIV testing and prevention strategy. National HIV Testing Day is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment, including PrEP.
Use this toolkit to highlight these important data and recognize National HIV Testing Day alongside AIDSVu. Below are some sample social media posts and infographics that you can use with #AIDSVu and #NHTD.
Help Amplify Free HIV Testing at Select Walgreens Provided by Local Health Departments & Community Organizations
For National HIV Testing Day, June 27, Walgreens and Greater Than HIV, a public information initiative of KFF, along with hundreds of health departments and community organizations, are providing FREE HIV testing, counseling, and information in more than 440 Walgreens stores across 38 states, DC and Puerto Rico.
Please help amplify this FREE HIV testing and counseling opportunity this month through your communications channels.
2023 National HIV Community Partnership (NHCP) Digital Resources for FREE HIV Testing Promotions
1. Link all social media posts, blogs and other messages to this map of participating store locations offering FREE testing and information, including listings for testing partners, dates and times. Directories of other testing sites and self-test programs are also available through this central referral page.
2. Look through the 2023 Partner Digital Toolkit to find videos, graphics, draft social media posts and other resources in English and Spanish for:
- Social media posts
- E-newsletters
- Website pages
- Press release or media advisory
- Talking points for media interviews
- Paid digital or radio broadcasts (please reach out to [email protected] for banners/scripts)
This annual effort has delivered more than 76,000 free HV tests since 2011. Many more have been reached with informational resources about the latest in prevention and treatment, including PrEP and linkage to care through the National HIV Community Partnership. Information about the Together Take Me Home self-test program is included with the outreach materials sent to all participating partners.
For more information or questions about the NHCP, please visit the NHCP Greater Than HIV website or contact [email protected].
Upcoming Opportunities
State Health Department Innovations at the Intersection of Syphilis & Drug User Health
June 27th 3 pm ET
The fourth in a five-part webinar series on syphilis and drug user health, this webinar will highlight considerations and share innovative approaches from states, including ways of directly funding and resourcing integrated work in the field.
Register Here
3- Day Virtual STI Intensive
Increase your knowledge regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections. This training is for providers that examine patients.
Take the Part-time STI Intensive Interactive Course (3 Days) LIVE! July 12-14, 2023, Day 1 8:45-4pm; Day 2 8:45-4pm; Day 3 8:45-4pm
This 3-day class gives you up-to-date lectures on the most common STIs. Credit available for this class is CME- 15.25, CNE – 15.2; CEU -1.5, CHES and MCHES 15.5, CPH 16
Register Here: Course is limited to 40 participants https://courses.nnptc.org/class_information.html?id=3693
Any questions regarding registration, call Jeanne Hoover 410-206-1156 or email [email protected].
“Solo Makes You Go Slow”: Local Partnerships Addressing Syphilis Among People Who Use Drugs
July 25th 3 pm ET
The last session in a five-part webinar series on syphilis and drug user health, this webinar will highlight the role of local partners, including local health departments, community-based syringe services programs, and jails, in addressing syphilis among people who use drugs.
Register Here
