Sexually transmitted infections higher among women with disabilities
In a study entitled “Sexually Transmitted Infections in Women of Reproductive Age by Disability Type,” researchers analyzed data from the 2015 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and found that the incidents of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was more than twice as high for women of reproductive age who have cognitive disabilities, […]
Intervention Groups May Help Lower HIV Risk Among Gay, Bisexual Youth
From the Pharmacy Times… Research published in AIDS and Behavior show that parents in an intervention group with gay or bisexual sons can employ effective communication tactics, specifically about condoms and HIV, and other parenting behaviors to help keep their children healthy. The study is the first to show evidence of positive effects in a randomized controlled […]
Pennsylvania governor signs law punishing HIV transmission with up to 10 years in prison
From LGBTQ Nation… Pennsylvania’s Gov. Tom Wolf (D) just signed a new law that makes it a felony to pass on a communicable disease when they “should have known” that they had it, the HIV Justice Network reported. Opponents of the law worry it will be used to punish people with HIV or other STDs who […]
Tribute to Dr. Anthony Silvestre
From Pitt’s Univresity Times: His international advocacy and public health work began at Penn State (1971-76), continued with several Philadelphia organizations (1976-83) and brought him to Pitt in early 1984 until his retirement in 2018. In 1976, he was the founding chairman of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Council on Sexual Minorities, likely the first such state […]
Health Alert: If you’re sexually active, get a full screening for sexually transmitted infections
The CDC is reporting the number of new sexually transmitted infections continues to go up, with the highest number of STIs in the U.S. ever. The newly released CDC 2020 STD Surveillance Report found that at the end of 2020: Reported cases of gonorrhea and primary & secondary (P&S) syphilis were up 10% and 7%, respectively, compared to 2019. Syphilis among newborns (i.e., […]
Next HPG Meeting Agenda for November 2 & 3, 2022.
Download the Meeting Agenda and Schedule here!
HIV Criminalization Reform
The PA HIV Justice Alliance presented at the HPG in September of 2022. The PA HIV Justice Alliance is a coalition of Pennsylvanians living with HIV and their strategic allies, inspired by the Denver Principles of meaningful Involvement of People with AIDS, speaking with a collective voice to enhance the quality of life and secure […]
Dr. Anthony Silvestre led the way on Pitt Men’s Study and AIDS Task Force
From the University Times… Anthony “Tony” Silvestre, whose work with the LGBT community was far ahead of its time and made the pioneering Pitt Men’s Study possible, died Sept. 1, 2022 at 75. […] His international advocacy and public health work began at Penn State (1971-76), continued with several Philadelphia organizations (1976-83) and brought him […]
Doctors Haven’t Seen So Many Cases of This STD in 72 Years
From hivplugmag.com… Syphilis bottomed out in the U.S. in the late 1990s, with the CDC hoping to fully eradicate the disease. Only years later, syphilis rates would start rising; by 2021, more than 52,000 cases were reported. Many factors could be at play, but officials believe the COVID pandemic is mostly at fault. Testing and […]
Language Matters
A presentation to the CPG regarding the importance of language in all levels of HIV care, planning, implimentation, and evaluation. Supporting documents include HIV Language Table and Facts Matter Words Matter v3.