HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
June 7, 2023
NACCHO News and Announcements
Opioid Settlements, Harm Reduction, and Leveraging Local Health Department Expertise Webinar Series
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:
- Office Hours- Tuesday, June 20th, 2-3pm https://naccho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0j6DbfDxT9aCg9gQhSqAmw
- 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
New Resource on Adapting Global Interventions for Local Public Health
NACCHO collaborated with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop The Global to Local Toolkit: Adapting Global Interventions for Local Public Health, which highlights benefits of global solutions as well as steps, tools, and guidance for LHDs and other local public health organizations on how to adapt and adopt global health approaches to the needs of U.S. communities. The toolkit also includes a case study on Calvert County (Maryland) Health Department’s experience in adapting WHO resources to bolster their mental health and substance use disorder responses in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Additionally, NACCHO developed two companion tools. The Are You Prepared to Go Global-to-Local? checklist walks LHDs and other local public health organizations through an assessment of whether or not they are prepared to implement a global intervention. The Global-to-Local Partner Identification Tool helps LHDs and other local public health organizations identify potential partners to help implement a global-to-local effort.
Read more and download the toolkit here.
NACCHO’s HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis team developed the STD QCS planning toolkit to serve as a resource to support healthcare facilities in primary care and specialty STD care settings to offer STD services appropriate to their clinical setting and to the individuals seeking their care. This toolkit was developed to support the implementation of CDC’s Recommendations for Providing Quality STD Clinical Services, 2020.
If you have any specific questions regarding the toolkit or would like 1:1 assistance with using it, please complete this form.
2023 DIS Scholars STD Engage Reflections
NACCHO’s HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis team had the pleasure of meeting the selected Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) scholarship recipients for NACCHO’s 2023 DIS Scholarship. In May, these recipients attended the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) annual meeting, STD Engage in New Orleans, LA. The scholars attended numerous sessions focused on STD prevention and control, as well as sessions specific to their workforce. They were also able to meet and network with their DIS colleagues from across the country! After attending the conference, our scholars shared some reflections on their attendance to the conference. Check out excerpts from some of their reflections below!
Reflections
In regards to key takeaways, STD Engage is thrilling and started off with a bang (no pun intended) when executive director David Harney welcomed everyone in the opening plenary. I was amazed at how many states and territories represented the field I cherish. My favorite sessions were ones that challenged the status quo; these sessions focused on building on DIS skills by incorporating tools such as in the field blood draws in collaboration with nurses to administer treatment, utilizing pharmacies in rural and/or less populous area to fill the testing and treatment gap as healthcare access is highly limited, and updates on the DIS certification. -Celine Coleman, Linn County Public Health
Health equity, a vision to uphold,
Where every voice is heard, every right,
A mind awakened, seeking truths untold.
Exploring passions, desires unfold,
Embracing love, casting judgment aside,
In the streets of New Orleans, a tale to unfold.
STI prevention, knowledge takes its hold,
Empowerment through choices, barriers we fight,
A mind awakened, seeking truths untold.
-Excerpt from ‘In the Streets of New Orleans’ written by Gustavo Garcia, Suffolk County Department of Health Services
I met so many DIS from all jurisdictions across the United States and even had the opportunity to present my story in front of the entire conference attendees as a scholarship recipient! In addition to meeting many individuals, I learned a lot about the advances happening in many parts of the states that are encouraging more modern partner services initiatives, various projects reaching demographics that have historically been difficult to reach (i.e. Sex Workers, Persons Who Inject Drugs, Persons Experiencing Homelessness etc.) due to a variety of different factors. -Ethan Quinnell, Chicago Department of Public Health
To read more of these reflections, please click here. Congratulations again to our scholars and it was great meeting you in person!
Check Your Stigma at the Door Webinar Resources
NACCHO recently hosted a webinar, Check Your Stigma at the Door, to discuss how stigma impacts HIV/STI prevention and care, the impact of the Mpox outbreak response, and how de-stigmatizing is important to reach vulnerable communities. We were joined by Dr. Ina Park who has more than two decades of experience speaking on HIV/STI topics and is well versed in using storytelling and humor to bring these topics to life! The recording can be found here and slides can be accessed via this link.
HIV, STI, and Hepatitis Resources and News
HIV Declines Among Young People and Drives Overall Decrease in New HIV Infections
Increased investments, innovation, and focus on equity are vitally needed to end the HIV epidemic
Estimated annual new HIV infections were 12% lower in 2021 compared to 2017—dropping from about 36,500 infections to about 32,100—according to new CDC data published today. The decline was driven by a 34% decrease in new infections among 13- to 24-year-olds, mostly among gay and bisexual males. HIV prevention efforts must go further and progress must be faster, however, for gains to reach populations equitably and for national goals to end the HIV epidemic to be reached. Read more here.
CEDIS Program Recruiting for Experienced and Newer DI Professionals
The Coaching for Enhanced Disease Intervention Skills (CEDIS) program is accepting applications for a new cohort. The CEDIS program builds skills in interviewing, rapport-building, problem-solving, and cultural humility by matching experienced Disease Intervention (DI) professionals to newer DI professionals for an eight-week coaching program.
Newer DI professionals must be nominated by their health department to participate in the CEDIS program.To be nominated, DI professionals must be actively conducting STI and/or HIV DI work and have completed the onboarding and training required for their role. Experienced DI professionals working in health departments are encouraged to apply. Experienced DI professionals must have at least three years of current or prior frontline DI experience. Applications are due by Monday, June 26, 2023 and the cohort will begin in July 2023.
For more information about how to apply and to register for an informational session, please visit http://jsi.com/cedis.
HIV Testing Day Resources
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
- 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.
- 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].
News to Note
Debt Ceiling Weakens Public Health at a Critical Moment, Experts Say (Market Watch)
Mpox Cases Tick Up Ahead of a Possible Summer Resurgence (The Messenger)
Upcoming Opportunities
NCSD Implementation of Partnerships for Treatment & Partner Services
June 14th, 3 pm ET
Part two of NCSD’s STI Service Integration Into Incarceration Facilities workshop series. This session will focus on the logistics of service delivery including treatment and partner services by DIS. We’ll hear about efforts in Pueblo County Colorado that ensure treatment of incarcerated persons. We’ll also learn about department of health correctional 340B partnerships across the country from STD 340B expert and NCSD Consultant Erin Fratto.
Register Here.
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.
