HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
September 27, 2023
NACCHO News and Announcements
Reported cases of congenital syphilis in the United States are increasing at an alarming rate. Screening for syphilis during pregnancy is a tool that can help reduce the number of reported cases. However, both recommendations and requirements for screening for syphilis during pregnancy are not uniform across states or healthcare delivery systems.
NACCHO is seeking a consultant to begin the creation of a draft quality measure for congenital syphilis screening that can be used to promote adoption by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Healthcare Effectiveness, Data, and Information Set (HEDIS) measure.
Funds will be awarded through a fixed-price contract, in which contractors are reimbursed for completion of deliverables outlined in the agreement. The maximum available funding for this contract is $150,000 and all activities must be completed by 7/31/24.
To learn more about this opportunity, check out the Request for Proposals here.
Funding Opportunity to Evaluate the Distribution of Smoking Supplies
NACCHO has released a new funding opportunity to support the evaluation of smoking supplies distribution as a harm reduction strategy. Applicants can request up to $38,000 to either analyze existing data or collect and analyze new data. Applicants must already distribute syringes and smoking supplies and funding cannot be used to purchase these items. Applications must be submitted via email by Friday, October 13th at 11:59 PM PT. NACCHO will host an optional, informational webinar for potential applicants on Wednesday, September 27th from 2 – 3 PM ET – register here. For additional information, visit here.
Key Learnings and Recommendations from the American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) Sexual Health Convening
In June 2023, NACCHO convened over 100 people from American Indian/Alaska Native-run and supporting organizations, the Indian Health Service (IHS), state and local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other national partner organizations to discuss how the sexual health needs, and especially STI disparities, in the AI/AN communities are being addressed and how greater connection with local and state health departments could support that work. Coming out of the two-day meeting, NACCHO has created a final report sharing some of the key takeaways and aspirational recommendations for these partnerships moving forward. The report can be read here.
The disproportionate impact of STIs on AI/AN communities originates from historical traumas of violent colonialism and displacement, and ongoing experiences of racism, impoverishment, and lack of access to care. Just as all parts of our society have contributed to this epidemic, so must we all work together to address it. This convening was a significant one for NACCHO to better understand how local health departments can work with AN/AI communities and individuals to address STIs. We all know that sexual health and especially STIs cannot be tackled via one group or approach—we must work together. NACCHO will continue to elevate this need to work together and for local and states health departments to be a resource for and ally in the provision of sexual health services across AI/AN communities.
Please keep your eyes and ears open for future opportunities where we can work together and reach out where NACCHO can support this work across the country.
Please Fill Out STI Mail-Order Tests Questionnaire
As sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates continue to soar while some local health departments (LHDs) are also experiencing scarcity in funding and staff capacity, LHDs are encouraged to embrace innovation and adopt the use of STI diagnostic technologies, such as STI self-collected, mail-order tests. With many STI mail-order testing options available, LHDs need support to decide the best option for their communities.
Through this brief questionnaire, NACCHO seeks information from mail-order STI test companies to create a repository to support LHDs in determining the company that best aligns with their needs and ease the procurement burden. Please fill out the questionnaire to be included.
EHE Superstars: Using Art to Improve Youth HIV Awareness in Houston
This is the first blog in a new series highlighting collaborative work between health departments and community partners in jurisdictions working to improve community health and inequities through the national Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Initiative. The EHE Initiative aims to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 75% by 2025 and by 90% by 2030. To recommend a program to be featured, reach out at [email protected].
HIV, STI, & Hepatitis Resources and News
IHS Webinar on America’s HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard (October 19, 3:00 PM ET)
Please REGISTER for an introduction to America’s HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard (AHEAD) hosted by the National HIV/HCV/STI Program of the Indian Health Service (IHS).
This webinar will provide an overview of how to use the HIV data on the AHEAD dashboard to inform your program planning and evaluation and how you can conduct similar analyses using your local data. We will also provide updates on planning for an IHS HIV Syndemic Dashboard.
The webinar will take place from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The IHS National HIV/HCV/STI Program will host this event for grantees of the IHS National HIV/HCV/STI Program, Tribal health departments, Urban Indian organizations, and federal IHS staff who are working to address HIV, HCV, and STIs among American Indian / Alaska Native communities. Attendees will learn:
- How AHEAD and similar tools can be used to support achieving the Indigi-HAS goal of ending the HIV Syndemic in Indian Country;
- How you can conduct similar analyses using your local data to inform local program decision-making, implementation, and evaluation; and
- More about the plan to develop an IHS HIV Syndemic Dashboard
Finally, the webinar will also include a Q&A session.
Date and Time: Thursday, October 19, 3:00-4:00 pm ET
- Register Here
- Please note that Zoom requires download and may take up to 10 minutes to install and set up
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing $50 million in competitive funding available for Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA). The funding will be available to local governments, states, and nonprofit organizations via the HOPWA: Housing Interventions (HINT) to End the HIV Epidemic program. Achieving and maintaining stable housing can be a powerful structural intervention in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. READ MORE.
The National HIV Classroom Learning Center is Excited to Announce the Following Free CDC-Approved In-Person Training Events
Fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing for HIV
Date: December 5-6
Location: Orlando, FL
ARTAS: Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services
Date: December 5-6
Location: Philadelphia, PA
HIV Navigation Services and Steps to Care
Date: December 12-14
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Implementing Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in the HIV Workforce
Date: January 9-10
Location: New York, NY
Fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing for HIV
Date: January 23-24
Location: St. Louis, MO
Registration deadline for all these trainings is October 20, 2023
DIS Appreciation Day 2023
DIS Recognition Day is just around the corner on October 6! To help celebrate these hard-working public health workers, we have a toolkit for health departments as well as a toolkit for DIS, with social media posts and prompts, downloadable graphics for stickers, Zoom backgrounds, and more.
Check It Out.
FREE Rapid Syphilis, HIV, and HCV Tests
In partnership with Diagnostics Direct and Orasure Technologies, Inc., NCSD is now accepting applications from clinics and health departments to receive FREE rapid syphilis, HIV, and HCV tests. The application will remain open until Friday, October 6, 2023. For questions, please contact Cait Shea at [email protected]. Submit Here.
News to Note
It’s Time to Pay Attention to Older Americans Living With HIV, Advocates Say - Advocate
In Mississippi, a Huge Jump in Cases of Babies Born with Syphilis – U.S. News & World Report
Primary care clinicians should spearhead HIV prevention – Medscape
Upcoming Opportunities
CDC Briefing on Fall & Winter Virus Season
Please join CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH for a live webinar during which we will provide updates on the fall and winter virus season landscape. This will include a sneak peek at CDC’s new communications efforts to address the spread of flu, COVID-19, and RSV and resources that will be available for partners. This briefing is intended to inform federal agencies, state and local health departments, medical societies, private sector and nonprofit organizations, and members of the media.
CDC and public health agencies across the country are preparing for the expected increase of respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV this fall and winter virus season by educating Americans about what they can do to protect themselves, including getting vaccinated, and if they get sick, getting tested and treated.
WHAT: Fall and Winter Virus Season Briefing and Discussion
WHEN: Wednesday, October 4, 12:00-1:30PM EDT
WHERE: Register here
CDC is happy to take questions in advance. Please email any initial questions for discussion during the briefing to: [email protected] by Friday, September 29.
REGISTER NOW: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_UQH0YffvQsSj1iVSO5F7NA
