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Corrections and HIV/AIDS
NASTAD assists states in using prevention resources
to maximize their efforts to prevent as many new infections
as possible by addressing emerging issues, identifying
and removing key programmatic barriers, and identifying
and leveraging existing assets. While the need to address
infectious diseases in correctional settings is nothing
new, it is becoming ever more critical for public health
departments to work more closely with counterparts in
corrections to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic in those facilities.
Also a component of the CDC cooperative agreement, NASTAD
tracks the responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic within correctional
settings among jurisdictions across the country.
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IDU/Substance Use
NASTAD assists jurisdictions by sharing information from technical experts and other jurisdictions regarding effective prevention programs for injection drug users (IDU) and substance users, including needle exchange and syringe access. As a component of NASTAD’s CDC cooperative agreement, IDU and substance use issues are monitored and where appropriate, materials are produced and various forms of technical assistance are provided. Technical assistance for members may include a series of fact sheets regarding IDU-associated HIV and viral hepatitis transmission. Content will include model programs, effective interventions and co-morbidities.
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Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)
Recognizing the heavy impact of HIV/AIDS on gay men and non-gay identifying men who have sex with men (MSM), NASTAD places strong emphasis on monitoring and responding to the epidemic among these populations. Of particular concern are the escalating infection rates among Black MSM. This concern led NASTAD to increase its emphasis on working with health departments to reduce infection rates among Black MSM. NASTAD conducted a health department survey in 2006 to determine a variety of baseline information, with follow-up interviews conducted across a subset of states (California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, District of Columbia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco) in late 2006 and early 2007. These interviews were conducted with over 80 stakeholders, including AIDS directors, health department staff and community based organizations. A final report on these interviews will be published in Fall 2007 and NASTAD’s technical assistance activities regarding gay men and MSM, including Black MSM, will continue to reflect the priority based on the impact of the epidemic on these populations.
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Mental Health and HIV/AIDS
As a component of the cooperative agreement
with CDC, NASTAD assists states in using prevention resources
to maximize their efforts to prevent as many new infections
as possible by addressing emerging issues, identifying
and removing key programmatic barriers, and identifying
and leveraging existing assets. Health departments are
increasingly recognizing and addressing the critical links
between mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.
NASTAD tracks how mental health and substance abuse issues
can impact HIV/AIDS programs and ultimately consumers.
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Program Integration and Collaboration
NASTAD is committed to promoting program integration and
collaboration and supporting health departments in their
efforts to enhance the same ideals. Currently, NASTAD’s
Domestic Program—including HIV Prevention, Communities
of Color, Viral Hepatitis and HIV Care and Treatment—strives
to identify and realize opportunities to share information,
expertise and vision across program areas. Collectively,
the teams within the Domestic Program provide integrated
support for NASTAD’s diverse membership. Additionally,
the Domestic Program works with the NASTAD Global Program
to identify collaborative projects that align with each
program’s specific activities. As appropriate, the programs
share techniques and practices to advance the substantive
work within each portfolio. Finally, the NASTAD Government
Relations team works in tandem with both the Domestic
and Global Programs to promote sensible and responsive
HIV/AIDS policy that supports programmatic success. NASTAD
believes strongly in the synergy that is created by cross-program
interaction and will continue to enhance and expand its
efforts to support program integration and collaboration
within health departments whenever possible.
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Targeted Prevention for African American Women
Launching a year-long initiative to provide follow-up
technical assistance and capacity building to health departments
participating in the Midwest regional forum entitled African
American Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis and
Planning for Action. Compiling lessons learned and best
practices to help guide health department efforts to implement
effective prevention programs targeting African American
women. Developing an issue brief that examines the disproportionate
impact of HIV/AIDS on African American women.
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