NACCHO HIV/STI Weekly Update for 9/13/12

This week's featured tool from NACCHO's Toolbox is A Woman's Guide to Understanding HPV and Cervical Cancer (Spanish), developed by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. This brochure for patients provides information on cervical cancer, HPV infection, screening tests, talking to your partner about HPV infection, and ways to stay healthy and reduce your risk for getting HPV.

Webinar: Innovations in HIV Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men
AIDS ribbon, 2 hands

In observance of National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the CDC National Prevention Information Network is hosting a webinar on innovations in HIV prevention for gay and bisexual men. The webinar will be moderated by Lamont Scales, Coordinator for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who have Sex with Men Activities, Office of Health Equity, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 25 from 2:30-3:30 PM EDT. Registration is required. To register and to see a full list of speakers and topics, click here.

Save the Date: 2012 National Summit on HIV and Viral Hepatitis
The 2012 National Summit on HIV and Viral Hepatitis Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to Care will take place November 26-28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The mission of the 2012 Summit is to support improvements in HIV and viral hepatitis testing, prevention, and linkage to care in the United States. The Summit will convene the nation's public health scientific and advocacy leadership to discuss state-of-the-art mechanisms to support the "National HIV/AIDS Strategy" and the HHS "Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis." Registration opens on September 28. To register and learn more about the 2012 Summit, click here.

Common Application for HIV Patient Assistance Programs Now Available
On September 12, the Common Patient Assistance Program Application (CPAPA) went into effect. This single common application allows uninsured individuals living with HIV to use one application to apply for multiple assistance programs that together provide an entire course of antiretroviral therapy. The application is the result of a public-private partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration and seven leading pharmaceutical companies. The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) assisted in the development and implementation of the application. Click here to access the common application form and for more information, visit NASTAD's resources page on patient assistance programs.

A Framework for the Elimination of Perinatal Transmission of HIV in the United States
A recent article published online in Pediatrics provides a framework by which elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission efforts can be coordinated, as well as goals for elimination. The framework begins with comprehensive reproductive health care, including HIV testing, and real-time case-finding of pregnancies in HIV-infected women. It is emphasized that the elimination of perinatal HIV transmission will not be a one-time accomplishment, but rather it will require sustained efforts as long as there are new HIV infections in women of child-bearing age. Click here to access the article.

Submit Model Practices Applications Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Since 2003, NACCHO's Model Practices Program has honored and recognized outstanding local public health practices and shared these practices through the Model Practices Database. Share what works by submitting a practice and contribute to the overall improvement of public health through evidence-based practice methods. The submission period is from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. To learn more about the program and why you should apply, click 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.

The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local public health departments. For additional information about NACCHO, visit www.naccho.org.