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Adolescent HIV/STI Prevention Historically, adolescents aged 13-24 years have made up approximately two-thirs of sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases in the United States. [1] STIs, particularly those that go medically untreated, combined with unprotected sexual behavior, place many adolescents, particularly those who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged, at high risk of HIV infection. Recent reports in jurisdictions across the United States indicate epidemic proportions of STIs among adolescent populations and increasing HIV infection diagnoses among adolescents at highest risk for infection.[2]
Local health departments (LHDs), directly and through community partnerships, are addressing these and related funding and resource challenges through a variety of innovative adolescent HIV and STI prevention approaches. Click here for more information.
[1] Tilson, EC, Sanchez V, Ford, CL, Smurzynski, M & Leone PA et al. (2004). Barriers to asymptomatic screening and other STD services for adolescents and young adults: Focus group discussions. BMC Public Health (4)21.
[2] Tilson, EC, Sanchez V, Ford, CL, Smurzynski, M & Leone PA et al. (2004). Barriers to asymptomatic screening and other STD services for adolescents and young adults: Focus group discussions. BMC Public Health (4)21. |
NACCHO's HIV/STI Prevention Project
 The goal of NACCHO's HIV and STI Prevention project is to strengthen NACCHO's role as an advocate for progressive HIV policy and adequate resources to sustain and enhance HIV/STI prevention, research, and care services. The HIV/STI Prevention Project provides resources to improve the capacity of local health departments to address adolescent HIV and STI prevention through its demonstration sites program, weekly e-mail updates, online HIV/STI Toolkit, bi-monthly webcast series, foundation funding guide, as well as the development of new products to be used by local health departments. |
NACCHO's Adolescent HIV/STI Prevention Upcoming Products
Within the upcoming months, NACCHO's HIV/STI Prevention Project will be making available several new resources. The Checklist for Adolescent-Friendly Services is a self-assessment tool that can be used by local health departments to determine how appropriate their services are to adolescents and how to improve such services to increase participation by adolescents. Also, NACCHO will be distributing a HIV/STI Compendium of Programs, which catalogues local health department programs that have targeted adolescents for HIV, STI, and unintended pregnancy prevention through partnerships with local schools. As these resources become available, more information will be posted on http://www.naccho.org/topics/infectious/hiv.cfm. |
 Local Health Department in Action:
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department
Family Health Program
The Austin/Travis County Department of Health and Human Services (A/TC HHSD) works to improve adolescent reproductive health by: creating referral mechanisms and linkages among community-based organizations to increase use of existing services, increasing knowledge, healthy attitudes and behaviors through sustainable, evidence-based health education, outreach, and media campaigns, and addressing individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal factors that affect sexual risk behavior among youth. A/TC HHSD is also implementing the Wise Guys Male Responsibility Curriculum®, an evidence-based male involvement program, which targets African American and Hispanic males in Travis County age 11-17 years to reduce STI, HIV, and teenage pregnancy risk by promoting healthy behaviors and coordinating service provision. A/TC HHSD is working with schools, churches, neighborhood centers, and others to develop a three-year strategic plan addressing adolescent HIV, STI, and teen pregnancy prevention within high-risk, adolescent male populations. A/TC HHSD has conducted professional, quality task force meetings in order to develop a strategic plan for adolescent HIV, STI, and unintended pregnancy prevention with broad community input.
To learn more about this program, visit
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National HIV Prevention Conference: Promoting Synergy Between Science and Program
Atlanta, GA
This unique conference covers the entire spectrum of HIV prevention, from science to programs. It convenes HIV prevention experts and advocates from various backgrounds and communities nationwide. The purpse of this conference is to bring together numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations to do the following:
- Share effective prevention approaches and research findings among governmental, community, and academic partners in HIV prevention.
- Strengthen collaborations between program practitioners and researchers in areas including behavioral interventions, biomedical interventions, monitoring the epidemic, implementing rapid and reliable tests for early HIV diagnosis, and improving access to early treatment and prevention services for persons with HIV.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.2007nhpc.org/backgroundinfo.asp
Registrations received before November 8, 2007 $400.00
After November 8, 2007, registration onsite only $450.00
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| Emerging Issues in MCH Series:
Adolescent Involvement in HIV Prevention Programs
Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:00 PM- 4:30 PM (ET)
 NACCHO and CityMatCH present the fifth year of the Emerging Issues in Maternal and Child Health Series. These presentations highlight research, information, and collaborative efforts on a variety of MCH topics. Guest speakers from national, state, and local health departments discuss their experiences and share information on programs related to the featured topic.
The November Webcast will feature efforts to involve adolescents in the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs. These speakers will share their successes and challenges and identify strategies and resources for improving adolescent involvement in prevention programs, including how to work with schools and other institutions.
Registration Information Coming Soon
E-MCH CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
NACCHO and CityMatCH have been approved by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to provide continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CECH, and CEU's) for the Emerging Issues in Maternal and Child Health Series beginning September 20, 2007 through September 19, 2009. The accreditation statements is located here: www.naccho.org/topics/hpdp/mch/emch.cfm |
Excerpts from NACCHO Public Health Dispatch
MCH- Related Tools and Resources
 This monthly newsletter sent to all active NACCHO members contains brief updates, events, resources, job postings, funding opportunities, member highlights, and other information of relevance to LHDs. Regular sections include family health, reproductive health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, mental health, and immunizations among others.
For a free download of past issues, visit http://www.naccho.org/pubs/category.cfm?Category_ID=8 | |
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NACCHO is the national organization representing local health departments. NACCHO works to support efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs, seeking health equity and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.
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