Upcoming Events

National Health Policy Conference   

 Feb 9-10, 2015 

Connect with Us

Partnership Pulse

In November, Partnership for Prevention released the 2014 ActionToQuit Impact Report, which presents the findings from an evaluation of the  

ActionToQuit program. The report provides information about who comprises the ActionToQuit network, how valuable the provided services are to participants, and how the disseminated information and resources are put into practice. The evaluation consisted of a questionnaire and telephone interviews with network members.   

The United Health Foundation, along with the American Public Health  Association and Partnership for Prevention, has released the 25th edition of America's Health Rankings. Every year, a comprehensive set of behaviors, public and health policies, community and environmental conditions, and clinical care data is analyzed to provide a holistic view of the health of the nation. It is the longest running annual assessment of the nation's health on a state-by-state basis. Check out the interactive website to see how your state ranks. Resources are also available to help states improve their measures.  

Alyson Kristensen, Co-Director of the National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH), presented at the 2nd Summit on Medical School Education in Sexual Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Kristensen's presentation highlighted the NCSH's work to normalize conversations about sexual health, including the NCSH's message framework that provides talking points about sexual health, as well as its guide and accompanying website that educates men and women about the preventive sexual health services they need and helps them talk to their providers about different sexual health topics. The NCSH is also developing a guide for health care providers that recommends sexual health questions all providers should ask their patients and offers scripts to help them respond to common patient questions.  

 Prevention News

A new federal report shows a mix of both increasing and decreasing rates of reportable sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydia was a success story with its rate decreasing for the first time since national reporting began. The rate of gonorrhea saw very slight decline from 2012-2013, but saw an overall increase of 8.2% from 2009-2013.  The rates of primary and secondary syphilis increased by nearly 11% from 2012-2013 after having been stable in 2011. These data indicate that more needs to be done to address sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Men who have sex with men and young women under age 24 are key groups that should be screened regularly.  

In November and December, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued final research plans for  screening for celiac disease and primary care interventions to promote breastfeeding. The final recommendation statement for screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults was also released. The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend that clinicians screen adults for vitamin D deficiency who do not have signs or symptoms of such a deficiency (I grade).    

The USPSTF also made two draft research plans available for public comment: periodic screening for gynecologic conditions with a pelvic exam (open until January 7, 2015) and screening adults for high blood pressure (open until January 26, 2015).  

 Resources and Reports

 Announcements