The Arizona Department of Health Services is developing a Sexually Transmitted Infections Action Plan as part of something state government calls a “Goal Council Action”. I’m not 100% sure what a Goal Council exactly is, but an initial “STD Action Plan” was presented to and approved by the “Goal Council” last week.
The Plan includes numerous actionable interventions (below) – although there’s no recommendation to decriminalize syringe service programs- which is a key evidence-based best practice to reducing the spread of some sexually transmitted infections. Below are the action items in the elements in the Plan.
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Promote policies that allow providers to prescribe treatment for partners.
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Improve access to screening and treatment in rural Arizona by implementing standing orders for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
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Identify ways to encourage expectant mothers to access prenatal care and receive syphilis screening and promote healthy pregnancies.
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Utilize perinatal caseworkers to better understand the barriers to accessing care and link women to prenatal care and other social services to prevent reinfection and promote healthy pregnancies.
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Expand partnerships with correctional facilities, home visiting programs, and groups that work with current and recovering drug users to address root causes of STD transmission.
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On-board additional laboratories to electronic laboratory reporting via HL7 messaging or spreadsheet reporting. Initiate the enhancement of ADHS IT infrastructure to accept electronic case reports (eCR) from providers.
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Expand multi-site resistance screening in Maricopa County.
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Develop a plan to respond to emerging STDs like LGV and Chancroid.
The agency will be scheduling follow-up meetings with stakeholder subcommittees to discuss the action plan in more detail and establish next steps for implementation.
