Net Meets Street to Defeat STDs: County Home STD Testing Program Employs Cutting-Edge Technology

On Monday, September 19, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas will launch a high-tech outreach effort to tackle sexually transmitted diseases in the Second Supervisorial District, where STD levels are the highest in the County.

The statistics paint a stark picture: STD levels in the Second Supervisorial District are the highest in the County, with hot spots centered in South Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County has the highest number of chlamydia cases and the second-highest number of gonorrhea cases of any county in the nation. More than 30,000 women and girls acquire infections every year, with younger women most heavily affected. In 2010, there were 20,337 chlamydia cases and 2,136 gonorrhea cases reported in females ages 15-24.  With the goal of overcoming barriers to diagnosis and treatment, the County launched its award-winning “I Know” home test kit program in 2009, Monday, at the new Martin Luther King Jr. Public Health Center, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and the Department of Public Health will roll out cutting-edge enhancements to the program: New digital tablets and touch-screen kiosks now will make home testing kits more widely and immediately available to women. Women who use the kiosks or digital tablets to order a kit will be able to receive their kit on the spot, without waiting for it to arrive by mail. All “I Know” materials and the website are available in both English and Spanish, and there is no cost to use the home testing program.  Kiosks will be placed at selected venues in the Second District; digital tablets will be put in the hands of trained outreach workers at a wide variety of locations. Both kiosks and tablets will enable secure access to the program’s website to record kit orders, so that women can later obtain their results from the program website, or by calling a toll-free number. Women throughout the County will continue to be able to order kits from the www.DontThinkKnow.org website, or by calling the County STD Program’s toll-free hotline number, 1-800-758-0880, to have test kits sent to them by mail.

“Unfortunately, these infectious diseases are at unacceptable levels and are increasing, particularly among young African-American women,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. “These are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters who are suffering from the health consequences of these STDs, and we cannot let them go untreated. Families depend upon them, communities depend upon them, but you can’t treat what you don’t know exists.

“The “I Know” program has a track record of success,” the Supervisor continued, “so we come together today to encourage women who may be afraid — who likely have no symptoms, but who have made some choices that put them at risk — to take that first step toward getting help and taking a test right in the privacy of their own homes.”  LA County Health Officer Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding concurred: “Easy diagnostic testing and effective single-dose treatments mean that there is no reason for anyone now to suffer infertility, tubal pregnancy, complications for newborns, or other serious long-term consequences of these unnecessarily common STDs.” With most cases being asymptomatic, regular screening by sexually active individuals is the only effective way to stop the spread of the these infections, said Dr. Fielding. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable, but treatment does not prevent subsequent infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active women age 25 and younger be screened for chlamydia once per year.  The “I Know” home testing program has been a true success. In its first year the website received 30,878 total visits and 2,927 kits were ordered. A total of 1,543 testable swabs were returned, of which 131 (8.5%) were positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

“This program has been incredibly successful in promoting testing and finding STD cases,” said the Dr. Peter Kerndt, STD Program Director at the department, noting that few clinics can show a comparable rate of case detection, and that none can perform testing for such a broad cross-section of at-risk women. In addition, according to Dr. Kerndt, not all women can or will access a clinic, due to lack of transportation, privacy fears, or the lack of symptoms typical of these STDs. The launch of the new program coincides with the imminent opening of the new Martin Luther King, Jr Center for Public Health, at the corner of Wilmington and 120th Street, a County public health facility that went from ground-breaking to completion in less than one year.  According to Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, the expanded “I Know” program epitomizes the potential of public health, and dovetails with the mission of the new health center, in the 21st century.

“You can see that we have a community engagement room in this new health center, which opens large bay doors directly to the outside for large-scale events,” he said. “Like those bay doors, this health center will open the potential for public health far beyond its own walls: the “I Know” program will now be everywhere that we can put a kiosk, everywhere any partnering community agency can send an outreach worker with a tablet, and anywhere a woman has access to a computer or any phone. But for those who need treatment or follow-up exams, this new health center has its doors wide open.”

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas noted that the expansion of “I Know” is also linked to a comprehensive strategy, further extending linkages from clinics to the surrounding community. Other elements of the comprehensive strategy include an increase in community-based public health workers to follow-up on cases and ensure treatment of women and their partners, school education programs, clinic referral guides for high school and middle school students, a County authorized use of a mobile van for outreach and distribution of condoms and partnerships with community-based agencies, as well as faith-based organizations. These partnerships will put tablets in the hands of trained community outreach workers to deliver home test kits in the communities most impacted by these infections. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas emphasized that public health is a critical investment that local government must make, because there is no other entity to do so.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas also hosted a breakfast on September 1, 2011 for some of the leaders from the ecumenical community to enlist their support for his initiative. The poignant discussions has resulted in the First Ladies of the Faith-based community taking a stand on this issue and offering a well-thought out plan to work with the Second District and the Department of Public Health to empower young women to take charge of their overall health and well-being.  Previous evaluation of “I Know” conducted by the County’s STD Program showed that women ages 18-25 (all eligible for the home testing program) who had seen “I Know” marketing materials were more than 1.5 times more likely to have been tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea in the past six months. The program also received an achievement award in 2010 from the National Association of Counties.

In 2010, there were 44,648 total reported cases of chlamydia and 9,501 total cases of gonorrhea among L.A. County residents. Among diseases with mandated reporting requirements, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the two most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States.

Date: Monday, September 19th
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Where: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Public Health
11833 S. Wilmington Ave.
Los Angeles 90059 (at 118th St., near Compton Ave.)

Press Release (PDF)
Gonorrhea Cases (PDF)
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (PDF)
I Know Posters (PDF)


Ministers discuss the impact and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas hosted a ministers breakfast to engage in dialogue about how to best impact the health and wellbeing of at-risk youth particularly related to sexually transmitted diseases and other preventable diseases burdening communities in the second district.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

Answer
: The term “sexually transmitted diseases” or “STDs” represents a group of more than 25 different diseases that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. An STD is a disease/infection you can get or give to someone else by having oral, vaginal or anal sex or other intimate contact with him/her.

How common are STDs?

Answer:
STDs are very common in the United States. There are 19 million new cases each year in the United States. By the age of 25, 1 in 2 sexually active people will contract an STD. 1 in 4 teenagers has an STD. In the United States, there are approximately 2.3 million new chlamydia infections a year. Over 40 million (1 in 5) people have genital herpes and 20 million have genital warts (HPV). These numbers surpass the 1 million cases of HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

What are the typical symptoms of STDs?

Answer:
Many STDs have no noticeable symptoms. In fact, a very common symptom of an STD is no symptoms at all. Having symptoms is a good thing because they let you know that something is wrong. When they do occur, typical STD symptoms for women may include unusual vaginal discharge (flow), sores, bumps, burning when urinating, and redness or itching around the vaginal area. Typical symptoms for men may include discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, and sores, bumps, or redness on or around the penis.

How are STDs transmitted?

Answer:
STDs can be transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. They can be transmitted from partner to partner with or without visible signs or symptoms. Many people can pass an STD to a sex partner without knowing it. Some STDs can be passed without having intercourse; they can be passed through skin-to-skin contact. Skin-to-skin contact is the rubbing or friction that takes place during intercourse or foreplay. This contact leads to tiny little cuts (micro tears) in the genital area which allow the STD agent (virus or bacteria) to enter the body. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is a protective barrier; however, when broken, foreign agents can enter the body.

Can herpes be passed when there are no symptoms?

Answer:
Yes, it is possible to infect someone with herpes, even when you don’t have any symptoms. Once thought to be transmitted only when sores were present, recent research has shown that herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be passed even when no visible signs are present.

Can I get STDs from a towel or a toilet seat?

Answer:
Most STDs, such as chlamydiagonorrheasyphilisherpes, and genital warts, are spread only through direct sexual contact with an infected person. Crabs (pubic lice) or scabies, which are often sexually transmitted, can be passed through contact with infected items like clothes, sheets, or towels. It is highly unlikely for a person to contract an STD from a toilet seat.

What should I do if I think I have an STD?

Answer:
If you think you have an STD, see a health care provider immediately. Seeking treatment early will help to minimize the long-term effects of most STDs. For gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, avoid sexual contact until you are cured. Make sure your partner(s) get tested and treated too. Otherwise, you can get re-infected. Some clinics can give you medication to take home to your partner(s). Viral STDs such as herpes and genital wartsare not curable but medications are available for their treatment and management. For STD clinic locations in Los Angeles County, call the Los Angeles STD Hotline at (800) 758-0880 oir visit our clinics section. For all other areas, contact your local or state health department for a clinic near you. Most STD clinics provide services for free or at low cost.

Can I get an STD more than once?

Answer:
You are not “immune” to an STD if you have had it before. STDs caused by bacteria (chlamydiagonorrhea, and syphilis) can be treated and cured, but you can get them again if exposed. Viral STDs (such as herpes and genital warts) cannot be cured and may remain in your body forever. People who have had Hepatitis B in the past and “cleared” it, develop immunity to that infection.

Can all STDs be cured?

Answer:
Bacterial STDs like chlamydiagonorrhea and syphilis, can be easily treated and cured. Viral STDs like herpesgenital warts, and HIV are incurable, but there are treatments available to lessen the severity of the disease. Vaccines are available to prevent the onset of certain STDs such asHepatitis B and HPV. For vaccines to be effective, a person has to be vaccinated before they are exposed to the infection. For this reason, it is recommended that most people get vaccinated against these infections at an early age.

Is it true that if I get tested for HIV, I get tested for all STDs?

Answer:
No. Each STD, including HIV, has its own test. Talk to your doctor or other health provider to make sure you’re getting the test you need.

Can I test myself for STDs?

Answer:
Currently, there are no home tests for STDs available in Los Angeles. The only way to know if you have an STD is to see a healthcare provider and get tested. See our clinics section for free and low cost testing.

Do I have to go to a clinic to get my STD treated?

Answer: Yes. It is very important to go to a clinic or other healthcare facility to get tested and treated for your STD. Avoid online treatments of STDs. Some websites offer STD treatment for a fee. Please note that these are not approved by the FDA and do not cure or treat the infection. For proper treatment and care, please see your doctor or other healthcare provider. For a list of STD clinics in Los Angeles County, please call the STD Hotline at 1-800-758-0880 or visit our clinics section. For all other areas, contact your local or state health department for a clinic near you. Most STD clinics provide services for free or at low-cost.

How serious are the complications of STDs?

Answer:
If left untreated, STDs can lead to major health problems. HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Other STDs can cause infertility, tubal pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and serious complications in newborns. HPV can lead to cervical cancer in some women if not diagnosed in time. For this reason, it is very important for women to get regular pap smears.  The onset of STD complications varies from person to person. Generally speaking, complications from STDs can occur within months to years after infection.

Are women at greater risk for STDs?

Answer:
Yes, women are at greater risk for many STDs, including HIV. Women are biologically more susceptible than men to becoming infected if exposed to an STD. STDs are also less likely to produce symptoms in women, and therefore are more difficult to diagnose until serious problems develop, such as PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease).

What is the best protection against STDs?

Answer:
All STDs are preventable. Abstinence (not having sex) is the only sure way to prevent an STD. If you are having sex, correctly using male (latex or polyurethane) or female (polyurethane) condoms can significantly reduce the risk of getting an STD.  Limiting your number of sex partners and number of risky sexual encounters can also reduce your risk of getting an STD.  See Prevention

What is the link between HIV and other STDs?

Answer:
Many STDs increase the risk of HIV transmission. syphilis and herpes cause ulcerations or sores which can provide HIV with easy access into the bloodstream. CShlamydiagonorrhea and trichomoniasis infections lead to inflammation. Inflammation causes an increase in CD4+cells, cells targeted by HIV. This is believed to increase a person’s chances of becoming infected with HIV if exposed. People with an STD such as syphilisgenital herpeschlamydiagonorrhea, or trichomoniasis are 3 to 5 times more likely to contract HIV, if exposed, than people who are not infected with an STD.

I’ve just been diagnosed with an STD. Does this mean my partner has lied or cheated on me?

Answer:
No, not necessarily. Not everyone will have symptoms of an STD even though they are infected. A partner can pass a disease to another without ever knowing s/he has had something. You, the unfortunate current partner, may be the one that actually ends up with symptoms. You may also have received your STD from a previous partner years ago and are just now seeing the signs of the disease.

How can I tell if my partner has an STD?

Answer:
In most cases, you cannot tell by looking if someone has an STD. STDs often do not have visible symptoms.

If I get a pap smear regularly, wouldn’t the doctor tell me if I had an STD?

Answer:
No, not necessarily. A pap smear is looking for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. STD exams are unique tests that look for specific STDs. They may take the form of a blood, culture, or urine test. Be sure and ask your doctor for the name of the test you want done (for instance, chlamydiasyphilis, or HIV).


For information on free and low cost STD testing and treatment services in Los Angeles County, call the STD Hotline at 1-800-758-0880 or visit our
STD Testing & Services section of the County website. 

 

Surviving the HEAT – Tips from L.A. County’s Emergency Survival Program

The Second District is hot this summer.  That’s why staying cool is important to your health.  A list of L. A. County Cooling Centers is available here.

If you are planning to visit one of these Cooling Centers, it is advisable that you call in advance to make sure there is still seating available.  If a Cooling Center is not operational, check the list for another Cooling Center nearest you or call “2-1-1”.  Check with your local library when looking for a place to cool down.  They have great resources and plenty to read while you escape the heat. For further information on Heat Waves, click here.

If you plan to be outdoors, please take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat.

  • Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.
  • Reduce physical activity.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat and light colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors
  • Avoid hot, heavy meals that include proteins.
  • Set your air conditioner between 75° to 80°.  If you don’t have air-conditioning take a cool shower twice a day and visit a public air conditioned facility.
  • Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not thirsty.  Avoid alcohol.
  • Use sun screen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.

Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.

Click here for a list of the locations and hours of operation for the Cooling Centers in Los Angeles County or dial 2-1-1.

For a listing of Los Angeles City Cooling Centers go to www.lacity.org or dial “3-1-1.”

Second District School-based health centers awarded federal dollars

Great news for eight school-based health centers in the Second District. The centers will share $1.5 million in grants from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), funding dedicated to address capital needs in school-based health centers.

The four successful Second District grantees are:

  • University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Community Clinic, for its efforts to open a school-based health clinic at Freemont High School ($106,950);
  • To Help Everyone (T.H.E.) Clinic, for its school-based health center that serves all students in the Lennox School District ($415,393);
  • Watts Healthcare Corp, for the Jordan High School and Locke High School School-based health clinics ($499,999); and
  • St. John’s Well Child and Family Center for multiple Second District school-based health centers at Dominguez High School, Hyde Park Elementary School, Manual Arts High School and Washington Prep High School.

Nineteen school-based health centers affiliated with federally qualified health centers (FQHC) are being developed or already exist throughout the Second District, all of which are expected to be fully functional in late 2012.  These grants are part of national healthcare reform legislation, which dedicated monies to construct and purchase equipment for school-based health centers.

Congratulations to the successful Second District grantees as well as the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Alcohol & Drug program


1 The 2nd District is committed to ensuring that  quality Alcohol & Drug (A&D) Program  treatment provider agencies are serving our  constituents for A&D related services in our  district. Along with the usual social and  cultural issues, the ongoing economic  recession is contributing to the rising rates of  alcohol and drug related challenges and disorders, in particular among the economically disadvantaged communities in our district. In addition, the upcoming Health Reform mandates that addiction treatment is fully blended with primary care and other medical services.

As treatment for A&D evolves, we recognize the need for resources and current information that is vital to providing the most effective treatment to those in need. Agencies in the 2nd District must be prepared to increase access to services, promote utilization of services, strengthen the quality of addiction treatment services and provide ongoing support services to individuals to help maintain a stable recovery. With the inevitable Health Reform, our agencies can capitalize on new opportunities, promote early case findings, provide more capacity for chronic care, increase treatment capacity and reduce the stigma of addiction. With preparation, the agencies in the 2nd District can provide addiction treatment that is the facet of health care in Los Angeles County.

Please find the list of the A&D Program treatment provider agencies currently serving in the 2nd District


REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) INFORMATION

LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) – Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Funding Opportunities

Request for Proposals (RFP) for California work opportunities and responsibility to kids
(CalWORKs) substance abuse treatment program

County of Los Angeles – Department of Public Health
Release date: 09/07/2010
Proposal due date: 11/08/2010, 3:00 pm

The California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Substance Abuse Treatment program is designed to provide CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WtW) program participants with an array of day care habilitative treatment, outpatient counseling, residential medical detoxification, and residential treatment services, as well as, all pertinent aftercare recovery support services, required to promote long-term sobriety as needed by such CalWORKs WtW program participants in overcoming barriers to employment and financial self-sufficiency.

DPH is issuing this competitive selection document (i.e., Request for Proposals [RFP]) in order to solicit proposals from Community Based Organization (CBO) providers. From the received proposals, DPH will select approximately twenty-five (25) of the most qualified, feasible, and cost effective proposers to provide day care habilitative, outpatient counseling, residential medical detoxification, and residential treatment services to eligible CalWORKs WtW program participants.

Link to RFP


 

INFORMATION FROM THE 2ND DISTRICT AUGUST 23, 2010 ROUND-TABLE MEETING

The Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas hosted a round-table meeting for the 2nd District’s Alcohol & Drug Program treatment providers in August of 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the state of the Alcohol and Drugs Program within the 2nd District as well as opportunities for improvement and collaboration.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Providers in the Second District

12nd District constituents are served by eighty-three Alcohol & Drug Program treatment provider agencies in various capacities. Agency names, address, phone/fax numbers and modality description is enclosed.

 

CA Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)

1Health Resources and Services Administration has developed a list of California’s FQHC’s. Los Angeles County FQHC’s are listed HEREon pages 49-82. Those FQHC’s that contract with Los Angeles County to provide free and low cost services are called Public Private Partnership (PPP) clinics. They are listed HERE.


LA County Department of Public Health (LAC-DPH) – Alcohol & Drug Program PowerPoint Presentation
(from 8/23 meeting)

1
Presentation by John Viernes, Director, LAC-DPH Alcohol & Drug Program: an overview of the program.

Richard Rawson Ph.D. – Associate Director of UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs and Professor-in-Residence at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry - Presentation (from 8/23 meeting)

1An overview of the Healthcare Reform related to the Alcohol & Drug Program treatment provider agencies.

 

 


RESOURCES

 

 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)


1 SAMSHA was established in 1992 as a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting fromsubstance abuse and mental illnesses. The Administrator of SAMHSA reports directly to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

SAMHSA – A Guide to evidence Based Practices

SAMSHA – National Registry of Evidence Based Programs & Practices

 

Addictions Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC)

1 As a nationwide, multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field, the ATTC Network was established in 1993 by SAMSHA to raise awareness of evidence-based and promising treatment and recovery practices, build skills to prepare the workforce to deliver state-of-the-art addictions treatment and recovery services, and change practice by incorporating these new skills into everyday use for the purpose of improving addictions treatment and recovery outcomes.

 

http://www.attcnetwork.org/index.asp

http://www.attcnetwork.org/regcenters/index_pacificsouthwest.asp

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG PREVENTION SERVICES

Board Awards $165 Million to Begin Construction on the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital

Almost two years ago, HMC Architects delivered renderings for a new Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital that inspired widespread hope and enthusiasm for a top-of-the-line healthcare facility in Willowbrook. Today, those plans are no longer just pictures on a drawing board. With the Board of Supervisors’ vote awarding $165 million to the Inpatient Tower Project at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center, contractor Hensel Phelps now begins construction of the new 120-bed hospital.

New MLK

“After today, the shovel goes in the ground and the building commences for a cutting edge healthcare facility,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

 

Roughly 194,000 square feet of the existing six-story tower will be renovated to build the new hospital.  A new 25,000-square-foot ancillary building will be constructed adjacent to the hospital and will house a cafeteria and administrative offices.  In addition, the project includes new equipment, renovation and seismic upgrades to the existing central plant that will serve both the Inpatient Tower and the Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center on the MLK Campus.

 

In an effort to optimize energy efficiency, the Department of Public Works will work with Hensel Phelps to include sustainable design features.  The new buildings will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards.

 

“We are making a commitment not only to provide the community with the best possible health care, but also making an investment in our community’s environmental well-being and future,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.