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Please send items you would like to have included in future issues of NCC News to: cjohnson@prevent.org. |
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Dear Colleague,
Welcome to NCC News. This online newsletter was created to keep you up-to-date on all things chlamydia, and related areas of interest. We hope you will find it useful and informative. Please feel free to share this with your colleagues who may also find it of use.
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NCC and partners featured in Wall Street Journal article on Chlamydia
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 In a June 30th Wall Street Journal article, consumer health writer, Melinda Beck, addresses the facts about chlamydia infections and the challenges to getting young women screened routinely. In developing the article Melinda interviewed several members of the National Chlamydia Coalition, our partners, and the CDC. We are all hopeful that this on-point article will lead to further coverage of chlamydia, and it's complications, in the news media, helping to reach target audiences and encouraging them to be screened. |
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Women's Health Disparities Briefing |
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On June 10th, Kaiser Family Foundation held a briefing on women's health disparities.
The research included 25 indicators related to health status, access and utilization, and social determinants, plus 8 state-level health policy measures. For the 25 indicators, data were available for states and for white women and women in five minority groups. The analysis included computing disparity scores for each indicator and a dimension score for each indicator that addresses how minority women are doing compared to whites on each indicator both nationally and by state. Differences existed in all states on most measures. No state achieved parity among whites and minorities on more than 8 indicators. Each racial/ethnic group had its own particular set of challenges.
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Improving STD Information on Health Websites |
Despite strong recommendations that all sexually active young women age 25 and younger receive a screening test each year for chlamydia, many websites offering health information fail to mention the importance of chlamydia screening. Health websites providing information to the public often discuss chlamydia infections, symptoms and treatment. But the vast majority of young women with chlamydia have no symptoms so making screening a routine part of medical care is strongly recommended. The coalition is pleased to have worked with the National Women's Health Resource Center to update its chlamydia information to include screening. The article was reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Gale Burstein, a member of the provider education committee, and members of the public awareness committee offered suggestions for the additional resources section. |
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Utah Launches Chlamydia Social Marketing Campaign |
The state of Utah launched a campaign to increase awarness of chlamydia and gonorrhea in May. Although Catch the Answers is Utah-specific, they are hoping others will find it useful as well.
The campaign includes radio spots, billboards, bus shelters, exterior bus signs, and Trax signs (the SLC train/metro line). The print materials will include small cards, pamphlets, posters, and some promotional materials like car magnets and stickers. The campaign focuses on youth (15-29), parents, and providers. |
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Guttmacher Institute Publishes New Policy Analysis |
A new policy analysis published in the Spring 2009 issues of the Guttmacher Policy Review finds that screening and treatment to keep STDs from causing serious harm is a "critical, if under-appreciated public health intervention". The analysis looks at STD screening as a secondary strategy of prevention (rather than preventing the infection in the first place). The article, written by Adam Sonfield, also discusses Expediated Partner Therapy. |
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NCC Member Submits Comments on Health Reform and STDs/HIV
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| NCC member, Dr. Gail Bolan, developed and submitted a letter to the Congressional Health Finance Committee on the importance of including all preventive services, not just those that have received an A or B rating of effectiveness by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, in health reform. Bolan expressed special concern over the lack of coverage of HIV and viral hepatitis screening services, as well as some STD screening services, in the proposed health reform bill. The letter was submitted on May 22, 2009. |
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Research Update
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| A new reserach article publishsed in the American Journal of Gynecology examines the integration of STD and HIV services with contraceptive services for young women. The purpose of the study was to estimate the national prevalence of STD/HIV screening services in the preceding year among young women who received contraceptive services.
The study found that 35% (2.7 million) of the women who received contraceptive services did not receive STD/HIV services. Therefore, interventions are needed to help integrate contraceptive and STD/HIV services. |
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Resource Materials Available
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