Events & News
Conference Emphasizes Need for More Screening
Studies presented at the 2008 National STD (Sexually Transmitted
Disease) Prevention Conference in early March indicate a need for more
screening for STDs, particularly in youth, young adults, and in men who
have sex with men (MSM).
Continued (PDF 87KB)
Hep C Connection to Sponsor Viral Hepatitis Conference
March
11, 2008—Denver—On Tuesday, May 6, and Wednesday, May 7,
Hep C Connection, the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment’s Viral Hepatitis Program and the Colorado
AIDS Education Training Center will host the 2008 Colorado
Viral Hepatitis Conference at the Holiday Inn Select, 455 S.
Colorado Blvd., in Denver.
Continued.
CDC Revises HIV/AIDS Testing Recommendations
Of the estimated 1 to 1.2 million persons living with HIV in the United
States, it is estimated that one quarter of them are unaware of their
infection. Estimated transmission is 3.5 times higher among persons who
are unaware of their infection than among persons who are aware of their
infection, which contributes disproportionately to the number of new HIV
infections each year in the United States. Studies have shown that the
majority of persons who are aware of their HIV infections substantially
reduce sexual behaviors that might transmit HIV after they become aware
they are infected.
In addition, around 40% of persons who test positive for HIV are
diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months. These late testers are more likely
to be younger (18-29), heterosexual, and African American or Latino. The
earlier infected persons enter treatment, the more likely they are to
live longer, healthier lives.
Targeted testing on the basis of risk behaviors fails to identify a
substantial number of persons who are HIV infected. Many people do not
perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV or do not disclose their
risks. Routine HIV testing reduces the stigma associated with testing
that requires assessment of risk behaviors. Patients are also much more
likely to be tested if they perceive that their health care provider
strongly recommends HIV testing.
Based on these findings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) published “Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults,
Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Healthcare Settings” in September,
2006. The CDC now recommends that HIV testing be a part of routine
clinical care in all healthcare settings for patients aged 13-64 years,
regardless of risk.
In order to facilitate this process, the CDC recommends utilizing an
opt-out design that would include the HIV test consent with the general
consent for care. The CDC also recommends de-linking traditional
prevention counseling from the testing process in order to further
reduce barriers to testing. Repeat screening is recommended annually for
all persons at high risk of HIV infection.
Because obtaining specific written consent and performing pre-test
counseling are perceived as barriers to testing, CDC has recommended
that they be optional. In the state of Colorado, informed consent for an
HIV test is still required by law, but prevention counseling is not.
Routine screening for HIV has been found to be as cost-effective as
other established screening programs for chronic diseases, even in
populations with prevalence as low as 0.1%.
For more information about how to implement routine HIV screening in
your practice, call the HIV/STI Outreach Coordinator at 303-413-7522.
Public Health and BCAP to Offer Free HIV Testing. National Latino AIDS awareness day is Oct. 14
October 2007, Boulder — “Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV, and we
are striving to bridge that gap,” said Kyla Holcomb, HIV/STI
Outreach Coordinator for BCPH. BCPH and BCAP are
collaborating to emphasize the importance of HIV testing as
an important step in the prevention and early treatment of
HIV/AIDS by providing free and anonymous HIV antibody
testing by English- and Spanish-speaking testers. The HIV
test will use rapid testing technology, providing results in
less than 20 minutes and requiring only an oral swab from
the inside of the mouth or a finger-prick blood sample.
More.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer Prevention
August 2007, Boulder, CO — HPV infection is the most common sexually
transmitted infection, with over half of sexually active women and men infected
with HPV at some point in their lives. In the U.S. 20 million people are
currently infected and over 6 million are newly infected each year.
More (PDF 180 KB)
Archive of News & Events
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HIV/STI Services
HIV Testing & Counseling
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) staff provides confidential or anonymous
testing, counseling, and education to individuals in an outreach and
clinic-based setting.
Sexually Transmitted Infection
(STI) Testing Resources
List of Boulder County testing locations for sexually transmitted
infections (STI), sometimes referred to as STD's.
Syringe Exchange: "The Works"
BCPH operates a free and anonymous syringe exchange
program in Boulder County.
Other BCPH Resources
Communicable Disease Fact
Sheets
LGBTIQ
Health
Resources for the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex,
and questioning) community including health care provider
information and STI resources.
Youth Risk Behavior
Survey
This report presents the collective results of both St Vrain and Boulder
Valley School districts and provides definitive statistical data
portraying the youth risk behaviors of Boulder County high school students |
