Word on the Street: What You Should Know from Community | March 2018
"Word on the Street" is disseminated monthly to inform CAPS/UCSF PRC of new developments, issues, programs, policy agendas, etc. that are happening in, affecting, and are of interest to the community.
In This Issue
Oakland TGA Planning Council (OTGA-PC)
Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases (WORLD)
California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS (CDPH, OA)
Oakland TGA Planning Council (OTGA-PC): Alameda County (AC) and Contra Costa County (CCC)
The Prevention Committee of the Oakland TGA Planning Council (OTGA-PC) met on March 12.
Meeting Highlights/Takeaways
Approximately 3,000 tests are provided per year among 10 agencies that conduct targeted population-based HIV testing in Alameda County. Of all the sites, Steamworks in Berkeley, California has the most positives.
In Alameda County the jails provide 8,000-10,000 routine opt-out HIV tests per year; linkage to care however is an ongoing issue.
Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases (WORLD)
March 8, 2018 WORLD and five collaborators convened 100+ womenat Everett and Jones in Oakland to “Talk About Sex”. Women and girls, ranging in age from 12 years to seniors discussed sexual health and strategies to protect oneself from HIV and STIs.
Highlights/Takeaways
Primary HIV prevention methods discussed included negotiating saying no to condomless sex and using a condom. There was little to no discussion on biomedical prevention (e.g., PrEP, U=U, viral suppression).
To open up communication between parents and children, parents should consider communicating with them on their terms, using texting and social media. Some adults welcomed this approach; others felt that it did not allow for meaningful conversations.
Women shared and discussed experiences of sexual trauma. They highlighted the importance of self-love/self-esteem, and warned against mixing drugs and sex.
California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS (CDPH–OA)
The CDPH-QA reported the following at the March 2018 San Francisco EMA HIV Community Planning Council and Oakland Transitional Geographic Area Planning Council meetings.
Highlights/Takeaways
May 30, 2018 the State OA will convene a GTZ meeting in Berkeley to share progress on California’s GTZ plan and to obtain input on strategies to address challenges. For more information and/or to participate contact Kevin Sitter at kevin.sitter@cdph.ca.gov or 916.449.5814.
Local health jurisdictions continue to apply for syringe exchange program (SEP) certification. Public comment on the Plumas County Public Health Agency (Northern Sierra Harm Reduction Program) will close on April 12, 2018 – visit www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_prev_secpapp.aspx
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Barbara:
The mission of Center for AIDS Prevention Studies is to end the HIV epidemic and associated health and social disparities by conducting high impact HIV prevention science and building capacity among researchers and communities to effectively address HIV. Grant #: 2P30MH062246
The mission of the UCSF Prevention Research Center is to maintain an interdependent network of community, academic, and public health partners to design and implement prevention research aimed at answering significant and innovative HIV research questions and promoting the wide use of practices proven to promote health for those infected and affected by HIV. Grant #: 5U48DP004998