Semana de Concientización sobre las ITS 2026
STI Awareness Week (SAW) is April 12-18, 2026. SAW helps raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections. It also helps show how STDs impact our lives and helps to decrease stigma, fear, and discrimination. We often use the occasion to help distribute tools and knowledge about STD prevention, testing, and treatment.
DDP will have a blog posting on our website and social media posts on our Facebook account if you wish to share our messaging.
Actualizaciones sobre VIH y sífilis para proveedores de Virginia
VDH recently released a clinician letter with HIV and syphilis updates for Virginia providers.
While the total number of new HIV diagnoses in 2024 was lower than 2023, there are increasing trends among youth and Hispanic/Latino populations. These trends should be known by providers, community partners, and health districts to better advise testing, prevention, and care efforts.
VDH updated the Virginia syphilis screening recommendations for reproductive-aged sexually active people (15-44 years). The guidelines use the 2024 rate of syphilis of all stages among women aged 15-44 to identify counties with “high syphilis rates”
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- In counties where this rate is high – above 4.6 cases/100,000 population – screening for syphilis is recommended for all sexually active people ages 15-44
- In counties where this rate is below 4.6 cases/100,000 population, providers should continue to assess individual risk factors to determine testing needs as outlined in the CDC Screening Guidelines
Why we made this change:
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- The Virginia syphilis screening guidelines aim to reduce syphilis and congenital syphilis rates. Congenital syphilis cases are at historic highs in Virginia and nationwide. Cases of syphilis among women continue to increase.
- Congenital syphilis cases can result from maternal infection at any stage of syphilis during pregnancy, not just primary or secondary stages.
- Prior to this change, the rate was limited to primary and secondary syphilis cases. A majority (79%) of Virginia women are diagnosed in later stages; only 21% were diagnosed in the primary and secondary stages in 2024.
- Expanding the guidelines to include the rate of all stages of syphilis ensures a more accurate representation of counties with high syphilis rates among
Living Beyond Our Status Gathering
The Living Beyond our Status (LBoS) Gathering 2026 will be held April 17-18. The event will be at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Richmond. LBoS is for Virginians 50 years or older and living with HIV, or for Virginians that have been living with HIV for 15+ years. The event will include sessions on health and wellness and skills building events.
Any eligible consumers can register now using the registration button below or clicking on the flyer to the side.
Contact Marquietta Alston at marquietta.alston@vdh.virginia.gov if you have any questions about LBoS.
Mind, Body, and Soul Conference
The Mind, Body, and Soul Conference will be April 10-11 at the Embassy Suites in Richmond, VA – the conference is designed to support the total well‑being of participants by addressing physical, mental, and emotional health.
Any eligible consumers can register by using the registration button below or clicking on the flyer to the side.
Contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov if you have any questions about the conference.
11Cumbre Anual de Gestión de Casos Virginia Ryan White
El centro local socio del Centro de Educación y Formación sobre el SIDA del MidAtlantic (MAAETC), la Universidad Commonwealth de Virginia (VCU), colaborará con VDH, gestores de casos de VIH y el Programa Ryan White para organizar la 11Cumbre Anual de Gestión de Casos Virginia Ryan White.
The summit will be held, virtually, on Tuesday April 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Note: the date from the e-bulletin email that went out in February has been corrected. The web version was corrected as soon as the error was identified.
La cumbre está abierta a todos los gestores de casos médicos y no médicos, gestores de casos de HOPWA, navegantes de servicios, trabajadores comunitarios de salud y otros que prestan servicios de gestión de casos a virginianos con VIH.
El tema de la cumbre de este año es Empoderando nuevos caminos: El trabajo continúa. Los temas de las sesiones incluirán:
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- VIH/SIDA en 2026
- Colaborando a través de prácticas y educación interprofesional para apoyar a la próxima generación de la fuerza laboral con VIH
- El uso de la tecnología en la gestión de casos de VIH
- Ira, desescalada y resiliencia en la gestión de casos
- Apoyar el envejecimiento saludable a través de la nutrición
- Sesiones regionales de grupos
- ¡Y más!
Para preguntas, contacta con Rob Rodney, director del Programa de Educación sobre el VIH en VCU, en robert.rodney@vcuhealth.org.
HIV/STD Prevention Advertising
DDP is finalizing plans for digital advertisements that will begin in April/May and run for six weeks. These ads will focus on HIV and STD testing, syphilis/congenital syphilis, PrEP, and DoxyPEP. They will be delivered to audiences and geographic areas with higher HIV and STD incidence.
Local health departments and community partners may see an increase in traffic to their programs as a result of this messaging.
For any questions regarding DDP marketing initiatives, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.
Virginia Integrated Services Plan
DDP staff is working on edits to the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan. We are currently in the planning stages of 2027-2031 version of the plan. The current plan objectives and information can be found on the DDP plan webpage.
A Virginia Integrated Services Plan Town Hall was held on March 4, 2026. During this meeting staff discussed the current plan, talked about the 2027-2031 plan, and asked consumers and other stakeholders what needs there were around HIV prevention and care in the Commonwealth. The recording from the town hall can be found online.
VDH staff will hold additional meetings to discuss regional needs as they continue to shape the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan 2027-2031.
Anuncios de personal
Bienvenido
HIV Care Services welcomes their new Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B Fiscal Compliance Auditor, Scott MacCrimmon! Scott has a bachelor's degree in finance from Longwood University. He also has a Master of Business and Science from Mississippi State University. Before joining DDP, he worked as a Fiscal Auditor for the Office of Family Health Services. Scott loves traveling, scuba diving, horseback riding, archery, bowling, and working out at the gym. He has 2 great-nieces and loves being the cool uncle! He also has a golden retriever named Molly, who is his "baby girl." Scott is certified in CPR and is a part-time Wellness Coach at the YMCA. Scott can be reached at scott.maccrimmon@vdh.virginia.gov.
Adiós
HIV and Hepatitis Prevention bid a fond farewell to Aieshia Brooks as she prepares to depart for another state agency position. She has served as the contract administrator for Status Neutral Service Navigation (SNSN) with DDP for six years, joining the division after working at DIS at a local health department.
During her time with DDP, Aieshia has led and coordinated several key programs and projects, including leading the RFP process for SNSN, adapting and enhancing the SNSN program to support braided funding, and partnering with community organizations to host Mind, Body, and Soul events. She has also consistently supported colleagues by assisting with editing and developing program manuals.
Aieshia’s last day with VDH was March 24, 2026. We extend our heartfelt thanks for her dedication and contributions, and we wish her great success in her new role.
While her position is being recruited, please contact Adyam Redae at adyam.redae@vdh.virginia.gov with any questions. Any SNSN questions or needs, please contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov.
Estamos contratando
The Division of Disease Prevention is hiring for the position of HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance Director. This position oversees the work of the HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance unit which includes:
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- HIV Surveillance core duties,
- viral hepatitis B and C surveillance and special projects,
- Medical Monitoring Project,
- National HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance program,
- Network Detection and Response, and
- the HIV Analyst team.
This position works across all DDP work units and collaborates with other Office of Epidemiology teams for program implementation and strategic planning.
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¡Se lanzó el nuevo sitio de Resource Connections! Con el relanzamiento también la hemos renombrado para llamarla "The RC" en resumen. Llámalo como prefieras, ¡sabremos a qué te refieres!
Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) anunciaron otra prórroga de 12meses para la subvención para el Fortalecimiento de la Prevención y Control de ETS en los Departamentos de Salud (ETD PCHD). La prórroga cubrirá el periodo de marzo 1 2026a febrero de 28 2027.
¿Qué está pasando en Virginia?
Los casos de mpox siguen ocurriendo principalmente en hombres. La MPOX también afecta de forma desproporcionada a las comunidades de color. Los casos de mpox ocurrieron en las cinco regiones sanitarias estatales, siendo el mayor número de casos reportados en las regiones de planeación sanitaria del norte y centro de Virginia (82%).
El 30de septiembre de 2025, DDP recibió un sorprendente aviso de adjudicación (NoA) para el Proyecto de Monitoreo Médico del VIH (MMP). La financiación anterior para MMP terminó el 31de mayo de 2025y nos dijeron que la subvención no se renovaría. Por lo tanto, DDP terminó el programa y el personal de MMP fue desafortunadamente despedido. Debido a la naturaleza inesperada de esta nueva adjudicación, la fecha de antedatación del periodo del proyecto a 6/1/25, y el cierre actual del gobierno federal, el resto del primer año, o el año de subvención 1, se empleará para reclutar personal y restablecer el programa. DDP está esperando más orientación de los CDC, que ocurrirá luego de la resolución del cierre del gobierno federal.
El Día de Reconocimiento DIS (Especialista en Intervención de Enfermedades) fue el viernes 3de octubre. Este día especial se observa a nivel nacional cada año para promover el trabajo especial que nuestros DIS hacen dentro de nuestras comunidades. La Coalición Nacional de Directores de ETS, VDH y DDP publicaron en blogs para la ocasión y promovieron o compartieron publicaciones y gráficos en las redes sociales.
El sitio web de Resource Connections se está relanzando con una nueva apariencia y un nuevo nombre, The RC: Resource Connections , ¡en la plataforma Connect 211 ! Junto con el diseño actualizado, el sitio contará con un nuevo logotipo y URL.
Los DIS son profesionales de la salud pública capacitados con diversos antecedentes y habilidades. Son un grupo de especialistas en salud pública que identifican, localizan y previenen la transmisión de infecciones. A menudo tienen experiencia en salud comunitaria, trabajo social, educación para la salud, divulgación, salud pública y experiencias vividas.