Director's Update
March - April 2013
Dr. Rima Khabbaz
Acting Director, NCHHSTP
Greetings NCHHSTP partners and colleagues! I am pleased to share with you a few program and product highlights and news from our Center. For the first time, CDC has released a supplemental surveillance report that focuses on HIV and older Americans. This report, Diagnoses of HIV Infection among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2007–2010, highlights the toll of this disease even in populations aged 50 years and older. Older adults are at risk and many are diagnosed late in the infection, compromising the effectiveness of available treatment. These data are an important reminder to program planners that while the greatest burden of HIV infection is still in younger populations, education and prevention programs and activities are needed to reach older adults. This population needs to know they are also at risk and what steps to take to protect their health and that of their partners. The bottom line is that HIV prevention is needed for all sexually active persons, regardless of age. I hope you will take time to review this recent surveillance report on HIV and older populations and also the just released 2011 National HIV Surveillance Report.
World TB Day
Each year, World TB Day is recognized on March 24, often with a variety of activities leading up to the official day. For the second year, CDC joins the global Stop TB Partnership in adopting the slogan “Stop TB in my Lifetime” that goes with the theme of calling for a world free of tuberculosis (TB). In an effort to educate and raise awareness, CDC developed a variety of online resources to assist you in developing your own World TB Day messages and materials. You can also add your event to the World TB Day map. In addition, this year CDC is launching a TB Success Story Project to show prevention and control in action, with the first story to be released in March in both video and print formats. I hope you will join in these World TB Day activities and move us toward stopping TB in our lifetime.
April is STD Awareness Month
Each year, April is recognized as STD Awareness Month. A new CDC analysis estimates that there are 20 million new STD infections in the United States each year, costing the American health care system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs. These infections not only place a significant economic burden on communities throughout the country, but also an equally significant burden on the health of people in every state. During STD Awareness Month, please help to spread the word about STD awareness, prevention, and treatment. Numerous resources, including STD fact sheets, “The Facts” brochures, videos and podcasts, and widgets, are available to assist with your planning. And don’t forget to follow DSTDP @CDCSTD to find out interesting statistics, breaking news, and events.
New from CDC
Diagnoses of HIV Infection among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older
Release of New STI Incidence and Cost Estimates
MMWR: Methodology of the YRBSS
Upcoming Events
March 10, 2013
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 20, 2013
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 24, 2013
World TB Day
April
STD Awareness Month