Toolkit offers tips on syphilis elimination
CDC offers information, publicity materials
Working to eliminate syphilis in your patient population? Use the practical materials available in the Syphilis Elimination Effort (SEE) toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC launched its national plan in 1999 to eliminate syphilis from the United States to capitalize on a decade of declining rates of syphilis. The plan was designed to end the sustained transmission of the disease in the United States by focusing efforts on the populations most affected by syphilis: heterosexual minority populations, particularly African Americans. While progress has been made in reducing the burden of syphilis in these populations, overall syphilis rates have been on the rise since 2001, largely due to increasing rates of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM).
An updated syphilis plan
To overcome these emerging challenges, while continuing progress among African Americans and women, CDC has issued an updated syphilis elimination plan and expanded its SEE Toolkit.
The SEE Toolkit is designed for public health practitioners to help plan, manage, and develop community coalitions to increase awareness of and garner support for syphilis elimination/prevention efforts. Elements in the toolkit, available free of charge at the CDC web site, www.cdc.gov/stopsyphilis, include:
- instruction guide for community mobilization;
- camera-ready print ads;
- brochures, posters, banners, educational materials specifically developed for health care providers, leaders of the community-based and faith-based organizations, and for elected officials;
- sexual history taking guide;
- physicians' pocket guide on syphilis;
- form letters for use to partners, policy-makers, etc.;
- radio public service announcements;
- tip sheets for, for example, working with the press, giving key messages' talking points, and communicating in a crisis.
The CDC has added information targeted for reaching MSM populations on the SEE web site. Providers may download Screening and Testing Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) for Syphilis — A Guide for Health Care Professionals, available free, to help with outreach efforts. The site also offers guidance on mobilizing community-based organizations in syphilis elimination efforts in MSM populations. (Click on "SEE Toolkit," then "Special Focus: MSM," to access these resources.)
Working to eliminate syphilis in your patient population? Use the practical materials available in the Syphilis Elimination Effort (SEE) toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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