{"id":15318,"date":"2026-09-21T14:01:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/?p=15318"},"modified":"2026-09-21T14:01:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:01:51","slug":"ddp-e-bulletin-september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/disease-prevention\/2026\/09\/21\/ddp-e-bulletin-september-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DDP E-Bulletin: September 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"DIS Recognition Day<\/h2>\n

The fifteenth annual Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Recognition Day is coming up on October 2, 2026! Each year we celebrate DIS on this day and recognize the hard work their work throughout the year. This includes tackling sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, outbreak response, partner notification, and more.<\/p>\n

The theme for this year set by the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is, \u201cthe Rhythm of Public Health.\u201d It honors the harmony that connects collaboration, partnerships, and communities involved in disease intervention.<\/p>\n

Between July 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026, DIS interviewed 3,096 patients and reached out to 1,274 exposed partners. This work is essential because it helps link people to vital STI testing and appropriate treatment. This in turn helps curb the transmission of syphilis, HIV and other STIs in Virginia communities.<\/p>\n

NCSD has events planned for DIS Recognition Day, as well as toolkits available on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

VDH will have a social media post<\/a> available for local health departments to share.<\/p>\n

Thank you to all the DIS staff in Virginia for the caring and dedicated work they give each day on the job! Their work is crucial to protecting the health of Virginians, destigmatizing sexual health, and getting individuals needed medical treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2027 Open Enrollment for VA MAP Clients <\/h3>\n
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The 2027 open enrollment period is coming. Medicare open enrollment begins on October 15. ACA\/Marketplace open enrollment begins November 1.<\/p>\n

The Virginia Medication Assistance Program (VA MAP) wants clients to be ready. Initial fact sheets about open enrollment for VA MAP clients are available with important information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tVisit the VA MAP webpage \t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Virginia Continuum of Care Data, 2025, Now Available <\/h3>\n
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Virginia HIV Continuum of Care data for 2025 are now available on the DDP Data and Reports webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Statewide in 2025, 80% of people newly diagnosed with HIV were linked to care within 30 days, 71% of people living with HIV in Virginia had evidence of at least one care marker in the previous year, and 61% of people living with HIV were virally suppressed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tView the Continuum of Care (Direct Link)\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Virginia Medicaid Changes <\/h3>\n
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There are changes coming to Virginia Medicaid because of new federal law. Virginia is committed to helping eligible Virginians stay covered so they can get the health care that they need.<\/p>\n

Find more information on these changes and find town hall times and dates from the Department of Medical Assistance Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Medscape: STI Rates Fall by Two Thirds After Implementation of DoxyPEP Prescribing at Southern US Clinic <\/h3>\n
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As DoxyPEP continues to increase in popularity as an STI prevention method, more evidence points towards its benefits in reducing STIs. Incidence of STIs at a southern US clinic fell by over 50% after initiation of DoxyPEP prescribing. This was without any changes to STI testing patterns, according to research presented in August.<\/p>\n

Key findings included:<\/p>\n