NACCHO HIV/STI Weekly Update for 3/22/12

This week's featured tool from NACCHO's Toolbox is Understanding the HPV Vaccine. From the Association of Reproductive Health Officials, this pamphlet provides an overview of HPV infection and information about what to expect during the three-dose immunization schedule. This resource is suitable for the general public and would be a good tool for LHD/STI clinic practitioners.

Application Period for NACCHO Advisory Groups Nears End

NACCHO is accepting applications for 2012-2013 committees and workgroups. See which groups are recruiting members and express your interest in serving on a committee or workgroup. The application period ends next Friday, March 30. Learn more here.

NACCHO Announces Profile-IQ

2010 Profile Study Do you need a few key statistics on LHDs? Are you looking for just the right piece of information to help with a proposal, report, or needs assessment? Profile-IQ is an easy to use online data query system. View up-to-date statistics on LHD finance, workforce, and activities based on information collected by NACCHO's 2010 National Profile of Local Health Departments (Profile) study. Profile-IQ is useful to practitioners and policymakers at the local, state, and federal level; researchers; students; the media; educators; and the public. For more information about Profile-IQ, view an instructional video or access this tool online.

Introducing the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy

The office formerly known as the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy will now be known as the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP). OHAIDP, located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, will continue to support the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and other HIV/AIDS activities; the name change reflects expanded responsibilities, including supporting and monitoring the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. Learn more here.

Adolescent Risk Screening Tool Available as Web Application

Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS) is a developmentally-appropriate, comprehensive risk assessment that school-based health centers (SBHCs) can use to identify high risk behaviors. This tool is now available through an online system that allows SBHCs to collect data to use for analysis of disparities, quality improvement, and to apply for funding through grant opportunities. Read an article on RAAPS in the Journal of Adolescent Health. For more information, visit the RAAPS website, or contact Dr. Jennifer Salerno.

IOM Report on Monitoring HIV Care Indicators in the U.S.
Nat'l HIV/AIDS Strategy logo The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to identify core indicators related to HIV clinical care and access to supportive services. The IOM recently released a report, Monitoring HIV Care in the United States: Indicators and Data Systems. This report outlines obstacles that prevent individuals infected with HIV from achieving optimal health, identifies core indicators to gauge the effects of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the Affordable Care Act on improvements in HIV care, and highlights data collection systems that can be used in this monitoring process. Read the report here.

CDC: Testing Rates for Chlamydia among Young Women are Low

According the the CDC, only 38 percent of sexually active young women were screened for chlamydia during a study period spanning 2006-2008; the CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active women 25 years of age and younger. Because of low testing rates, this analysis led the CDC to recommend expanding screening and retesting for chlamydia among this target population. Learn more about the study and its implications here.

Stay Connected with News from Washington

News from Washington is a NACCHO e-newsletter that provides up to date information about activities in Congress and the Administration that affect local health departments. The weekly e-newsletter is currently being sent to the primary NACCHO contact for each local health department and members of the Congressional Action Network. Contact Eli Briggs, NACCHO Director of Government Affairs, with any questions. View the latest edition and sign up to receive the newsletter here.

Have a Resource You'd Like to Share or Looking for Something Specific?

The NACCHO HIV/STI List welcomes all tools, research, and resources that you would like to share with local health departments. To submit a resource, send an e-mail to hivsti@naccho.org with the subject line: "For HIV List." Additionally, if you have a request for a tool or need assistance that you think another LHD could provide, send an e-mail and we'll include your request in a future e-newsletter.

NACCHO's Community Health Webcasts and Teleconferences
Take a look at the list of NACCHO's archived community health webcasts.

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. For additional information about NACCHO, visit: www.naccho.org.