Cross-posted from the HHS.gov Hepatitis blog

Development of the first-ever STI Federal Action Plan is being led and coordinated by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health’s Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP).

From March to June 2019, OIDP provided several opportunities for the public to take an active role in helping to inform the development of an inaugural federal action plan for the prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These included four listening sessions at in-person national conferences and meetings, two nationwide virtual listening sessions, and a Request for Information (RFI) published in the Federal Register.

The virtual listening sessions held in April and May drew robust participation with more than 1,000 participant lines engaged from 45 states, as well as three U.S. Territories. In response to all of the opportunities for public comment, more than 300 oral and written comments were shared; a third of which were received in response to the RFI.

Most comments came from healthcare providers, local and state health departments, community-based and faith-based organizations, national organizations, and tribes and tribal organizations. Input was received regarding a broad variety of STI-related topics, including:

  • Innovation and technology regarding STI diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, research and surveillance;
  • Provider training including sensitivity training in STIs and sexual health basics;
  • Use of primary care settings, schools, and non-traditional healthcare settings for STI prevention and testing services;
  • Culturally appropriate and inclusive comprehensive sexual health education;
  • STI-related stigma and discrimination; and
  • Structural and social determinants of health.

We appreciate the thoughtful input received from the stakeholders and public, who hailed from Alaska to Florida, and many communities in between. The information from the public comments has been shared with the federal steering committee to help inform development of the STI Federal Action Plan.

The STI Federal Action Plan is scheduled to be released in 2020. Visit www.hhs.gov/sti for updates.