HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
May 19, 2022
Highlights of the Week
2022 Assessment of COVID-19’s Impact on Local Health Department HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis Programs
Local health departments (LHDs) continue to be on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and NACCHO is working to support your essential role in the response. In 2020, we collected information about the impact on sexual health services as part of the LHDs response during the emergency phase of the pandemic. We are now following up to elicit information on the impact, challenges, and concerns that were being experienced in that phase of the pandemic are still being faced currently and to understand the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on LHD HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis programs. We will be monitoring responses on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to complete the query here, by 11:59 PM PT on Friday, June 10th.
New Funding Opportunities for Working with Pharmacies and Retail Health Clinics to Provide Sexual Health Services
NACCHO, with support from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP), is pleased to announce two new funding opportunities for health departments to partner with other healthcare entities to expand STI and HIV services, treatment, and care in their communities.
- Leveraging Pharmacies for STI Services and Care – Due May 27, 2022
- Leveraging Retail Health Clinics for STI/HIV Services and Care for Underserved Minorities -Due May 31, 2022
Job Openings: Technical Assistance Providers, Supporting Harm Reduction Programs (SHaRP)
University of Washington is looking for 2 technical assistance providers to join the Supporting Harm Reduction Programs (SHaRP). These positions join our harm reduction monitoring and evaluation technical assistance team. They will work with the CDC, SAMHSA, NASTAD, the National Harm Reduction Coalition, NACCHO and other TA providers to organize and provide technical assistance around harm reduction to syringe services programs (SSPs) across the country. University of Washington are open to hiring folks in the Seattle area or other parts of the US (to work remotely).
HIV/STI/Viral Hepatitis (HSH) Job/Consultant Opportunities
NACCHO is looking for a talented, enthusiastic Communications Specialist who wants to use their skills in support of our diverse and HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis team. General responsibilities include substantive writing (creative and technical), editing, copyediting, and proofreading publications; developing and maintaining web pages; providing communications support at events and conferences; and promoting the work of NACCHO’s HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis projects using all forms of media including traditional and new media outlets. Please click here for more information.
HIV, STI, Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Resources and News
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
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
- F.D.A. Authorizes Underwear to Protect Against S.T.I.s During Oral Sex - NY Times
- Surge in congenital syphilis gives Arizona second-worst rate in U.S. – Cronkite News/Arizona PBS
- Rates of babies born with syphilis rise in New Mexico, Nevada amid COVID-19 pandemic – Boise State Public Radio
- Why are sexually transmitted infections surging? NY Times
Events and Webinars
New Hepatitis B Vaccination Guidelines Webinar
May 23rd 2:00 – 2:30pm ET
Hosted by: Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP)
WHAT ABOUT HERPES? IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2021 TESTING AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR HSV
Part 1: May 26th 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Part 2: June 2nd 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Hosted by: NCSD
Reducing Stigma and Improving Our Work with People Who Use Drugs
June 7th 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Hosted by: NCSD & NASTAD
Measuring Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
June 9th 2:00 – 3:30pm ET
Hosted by: NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office
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
