HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
June 3, 2022
Highlights of the Week
2022 STD Prevention Conference: “Virtually Possible: New Horizons in Sexual Health”
The 2022 STD Prevention Conference will be held virtually September 19-22, 2022. Early bird registration ends July 20, 2022. Visit the conference website in the link above for registration rates, frequently asked questions, and more information.
June 27th is National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), a day to emphasize and encourage HIV testing. The theme for 2022 is “HIV Testing is Self-care.” The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” The NHTD messaging will emphasize that HIV testing can be free, easy, fast, and confidential. HIV self-tests can be done when and where an individual chooses. Stay tuned for more info!
From the Field: Research, Policy, and Project Updates
Monkeypox for Sexually Active People
CDC is closely tracking cases of monkeypox that have been recently reported in the United States. It’s not clear how the individuals were exposed to monkeypox but cases include people who self-identify as men who have sex with men. CDC is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rashes consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have travel or specific risk factors for monkeypox and regardless of gender or sexual orientation. For more information about monkeypox you can visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html
Implementation Plan for STI National Strategic Plan: Open for Stakeholder Comments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invites stakeholders to provide written comments on a draft of the STI Federal Implementation Plan 2021-2025. This plan outlines the federal commitments to realizing the goals of the Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan (STI Plan), a pioneering, first-ever five-year plan which endeavors to reverse the dramatic rise in STIs in the United States. Written comments should be sent to [email protected] and must be received before 5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday, June 13, 2022.
IHS Funding for Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.
The Indian Health Service recently announced a Grant Opportunity: Ending the HIV/HCV Epidemics in Indian Country to support work toward eliminating HIV and hepatitis C in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. This $2.48 million opportunity is for tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to support activities that address HIV/HCV and sexually-transmitted infections. The funding application deadline is June 17.
Hepatitis B Foundation and Hep B Release New Fact Sheet on COVID-19 and Hepatitis
Hepatitis B Foundation and Hep B United have created a new patient-focused fact sheet on the co-administration of the COVID-19 vaccine with the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or Flu vaccines.
State Laws Vary Widely on Adolescent Consent and Privacy in Medical Care
Confidentiality between an adolescent patient and a clinician is crucial to providing good health care, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Reaching that goal is complicated as access to electronic health records improves while state laws for minors’ consent and privacy are inconsistent across the country. A study out in Pediatrics today, appearing as the national debate continues on whether the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, looks at the wide variability among states on rules governing reproductive health, immunizations, substance use, and other issues. For example: All 50 states had some provisions for managing STIs, but there were differences based on age, whether that included HIV, and whether confidentiality is protected. “Inconsistency in privacy protection creates inequitable care and could result in breaches of privacy that place the patient in potentially unsafe situations,” the authors write.
In the News
- STIs could be prevented with a dose of doxycycline after unprotected sex - News Medical
- Using antibiotics to prevent STIs found effective in early S.F. study results - San Francisco Chronicle
- 10 monkeypox cases identified in U.S.: What we know about each of them - NBC News
- Monkeypox cases may be mistaken for a sexual transmitted disease, CDC warns - USA Today
- MGH vaccinating workers against monkeypox, the first time the shots have been used in the US - Boston Globe
- Monkeypox Is Spreading Through Sex, But It’s Not an STI - Bloomberg
- Health officials scramble to raise monkeypox awareness ahead of Pride Month - Stat
- Pandemic disrupted HIV prevention efforts, CDC report says - The Hill
Events and Webinars
Reducing Stigma and Improving Our Work with People Who Use Drugs
June 7th 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Hosted by: NCSD & NASTAD
Self-Care Health Check: National HIV Testing Day Webinar
June 8th 1:00 – 2:00pm ET
Hosted by: CDC
Measuring Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
June 9th 2:00 – 3:30pm ET
Hosted by: NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office
Reproductive Justice in Sex Education
June 23rd 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Hosted by: FoSE, SEC, and WOCSHN
Using M&E to Better Save Your Community, Part 3: Data Dashboards
June 28th 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Hosted by: NACCHO and University of Washington
