HSH 3

HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Workgroup (HSHW) In-Person Meeting Recap

Jan 05, 2023 | Grace Murtha

In November, the HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Workgroup (HSHW) met in person, with representatives from CDC to share LHD experiences in the HIV, STI, and Harm Reduction spaces, hear of CDC priorities, and strategize together on advancing program successes and addressing program challenges.

The meeting kicked off with a presentation from the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP). There was a good deal of discussion around DSTDP’s efforts to promote integration and coordination as well as to strengthen the workforce. Members noted that the process for receiving federal funds can be burdensome, especially when attempting to coordinate with a fee-for-service funding model. We discussed whether it was possible to make funding streams work together to better support integrated public health services. Another key takeaway from this session was the challenge of properly staffing local health departments, as many jurisdictions are unable to offer competitive salaries. Further, outdated jurisdictional hiring policies may reinforce health inequities by disadvantaging applicants with lived or other relevant experience. Additionally, participants repeatedly mentioned the immediate and urgent need for national level staffing and training metrics and resources for DIS activities.

We then met with the Division of HIV Prevention (DHP). DHP described their four cross-cutting focus areas: health equity, a status neutral approach, community engagement, and a syndemic approach. NACCHO prioritizes work in these four areas as well. For a more detailed look into these focus areas, check out the PowerPoint linked above. During discussion, challenges of workforce, hiring, and retention came up once again, as did funding, as participants requested to hear more about funding opportunities available to the states with whom they work. From a programmatic perspective, participants asked for more guidance and support surrounding cluster detection response (CDR), noting that some states already have CDR response plans however many local health departments may not be aware of this resource altogether. As always, HIV related stigma continues to present programmatic challenges. Participants mentioned that communities should be included in messaging and communication around these topics.

Finally, we met with partners from the Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH), Division of HIV Prevention (DHP) and the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Office of the Director (NCHHSTP OD) to explore CDC’s cross cutting Harm Reduction response. NCHHSTP OD outlined four areas of strategic priority focus. The first area emphasized their priority of establishing nationwide infrastructure for SSPs as a standard of care. The next goal was to decrease drug injection use. The third area of focus was to establish coordinated surveillance and monitoring systems for infectious disease indicators associated with drug use. The fourth and final area of focus was to collaborate at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce infectious disease consequences of drug use. Funding was a primary theme throughout the entirety of the session, as in previous sessions. Participants wanted to know what efforts were being made to coordinate and consolidate funding for syringe services programs (SSPs). We also discussed policy, and participants voiced their desire for issue briefs and statements surrounding safer smoking, youth access, housing, communication, and funding needed to support state initiatives. Local health department representatives expressed difficulty with purchasing necessary supplies and materials for their programs. Once again, we addressed stigma within the community and amongst healthcare providers as an area of interest.

We returned after lunch to an inspiring session from Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition led by Mojgan Zare, MD, MPH, CEO and Jasmine Benton, MA, Program Director. Zare discussed the menu of services that AHRC provides- from allowing community members to shower or make phone calls or have a homecooked meal for free to hiring people with lived experiences to help run their programs. AHRC runs a mobile STI testing van and, according to Zare, has created an admirable reputation in the community that they serve. Workgroup members were interested in learning about AHRC’s different funding sources that support their work. AHRC also mentioned a “whole person” model/approach in which they address the entirety of their community members rather than just one part of their identity. Workgroup members were interested in learning more about how they achieved this model and how it could potentially be replicated across local health departments. AHRC also discussed their relationship with law enforcement. Workgroup members asked how local health departments could play more of a role in those relationships, especially regarding syringe service programs.

We are so grateful that the CDC took time out of their busy schedules to meet with the workgroup and discuss pressing matters in the HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction realm. NACCHO continues to work with the HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction workgroup to discuss next steps that ensure follow-up on priorities that emerged from these conversations.


About Grace Murtha

More posts by Grace Murtha

Related Posts

1
  • Emergency Response
  • Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

Building Community Resilience Through Maternal and Child...

NACCHO, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s...

Mar 15, 2024 | Elana Filipos

Building Community Resilience Through Maternal and Child...

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

CDC Study Reveals Increase in Overdoses Associated with...

A recent CDC study demonstrates a need for LHDs and other local harm reduction...

Mar 14, 2024 | Kat Kelley, Anjana Rao, Grace Murtha

CDC Study Reveals Increase in Overdoses Associated with...

1
  • Emergency Response
  • Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

Bridging Maternal-Child Health (MCH), Infectious Disease...

Funded through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National...

Mar 12, 2024 | Elana Filipos

Bridging Maternal-Child Health (MCH), Infectious Disease...

Thumbnail youtube
  • Tools & Resources
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

NACCHO Releases “Community Partnerships to Prevent...

The National Association of County and City Health Officials is pleased to...

Mar 12, 2024 | Camille Adams

NACCHO Releases “Community Partnerships to Prevent...

1
  • Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

NACCHO Provides Funding to Local Health Departments to...

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health team has selected 14 new local...

Mar 11, 2024 | Ryanna Quazi

NACCHO Provides Funding to Local Health Departments to...

NACCHO Cognitive Health Guide FINAL 1
  • Tools & Resources
  • Healthy Aging
  • Healthy Living & Prevention
  • Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)

New NACCHO Resource: Integrating Brain Health into...

NACCHO, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, is thrilled to launch...

Mar 01, 2024 | Andrea Grenadier

New NACCHO Resource: Integrating Brain Health into...

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis
  • HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest

Digest (February 28, 2024)

HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest: February 28, 2024

Mar 01, 2024

Digest (February 28, 2024)

EHE Superstars Investing in Community Voices in LA County
  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

EHE Superstars: Investing in Community Voices in LA...

This blog continues our new series highlighting collaborative projects between...

Feb 28, 2024 | Anthony Green

EHE Superstars: Investing in Community Voices in LA...

I Stock 1490413668
  • Emergency Response
  • Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

Announcing NACCHO’s 2023-2024 Virtual Learning...

NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s...

Feb 16, 2024 | Harpur Schwartz, Elana Filipos

Announcing NACCHO’s 2023-2024 Virtual Learning...

Back to Top