Event Series:
STI Track
STIs Track, Session 3: Syphilis
May 31 @ 10:45 am–12:15 pm EDT
- Navigating Syphilis Awareness and Prevention: Empowering Women through Health Literacy
The resurgence of syphilis in the United States, particularly among women of childbearing age, calls for urgent public health interventions. As the nation grapples with this public health challenge, exploring innovative avenues for raising awareness and facilitating prevention is imperative to empower women, enabling them to take charge of their sexual health. We invite health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates to engage with our findings and participate in a dialogue to catalyze change. By combining our efforts and leveraging informed action, we can move towards a future where maternal health is prioritized in the context of HIV and other STIs. - Automating Syphilis Screening: A Vital Approach to Preventing Congenital Syphilis and HIV
Homestead Hospital embraced technology and enhanced their HIV/HCV screening infrastructure to include Syphilis TP Screening (EIA). The fully integrated Syphilis Screening Algorithm includes a smart rule, which facilitates auto-generated high volume Treponemal testing in the Emergency Department. Through a public-private partnership, the Department of Health Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) provides funding to support screening and a dedicated Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS), who helps facilitate post-discharge Comprehensive Prevention Services (e.g., treatment, biomedical intervention, and partner services). - Assessing the Impact of a Syphilis Outbreak Response in Houston, Texas
In order to combat the surge in syphilis cases in Houston/Harris County, the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Program at the Houston Health Department (HHD) launched the Syphilis Outbreak Response (SOR) in July 2023. This coordinated response plan emphasizes six components: Enhanced Surveillance, Disease Investigation and Public Health Follow Up (PHFU), Outreach Screening and Education, Community Involvement and Mobilization, Improved Diagnostic and Treatment, and Public Information and Awareness. Implementation of the SOR has led to efficient identification of community hotspots, increased public health follow up, and increased testing and treatment for syphilis diagnoses. - How a DIS in a Rural Conservative Setting can combat Congenital Syphilis Through Partnerships
This abstract will concentrate on the increase of syphilis from the perspective of a local health department in rural ID but will include data from the entire state. Many women’s healthcare providers in our area aren’t aware that women are at risk for syphilis, but we had the opportunity to change their minds with a real time scenario. Almost half of the 2023 diagnosed syphilis cases in our area were women. Half of these were incarcerated. Building relationships has helped us move forward in many ways to help continue preventing both syphilis and congenital syphilis cases. This presentation will focus on building relationships inside and outside of your organization.
