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Save the Date: Texas HIV Medication Program Town Hall Meeting

DSHS is hosting a Town Hall meeting for public health planning on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 12-3:30pm CDT regarding changes that are needed to the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP). This virtual meeting is an opportunity to provide feedback, ask questions, and develop plans in partnership with DSHS to help THMP clients affected by the projected THMP funding deficit. DSHS encourages all interested clients, providers, clinicians and community stakeholders to save the date, make plans to attend, and share this information with other parties who may be interested. More information regarding meeting times, agenda, registration, and login instructions will be coming soon.

Proposed New Policy – Texas Insurance Assistance Program

The DSHS HIV/STD Program is proposing a new Texas Insurance Assistance Program policy. The policy establishes eligibility requirements and allowable expenditures for the Texas Insurance Assistance Program (TIAP). Learn more

Congenital Syphilis Cases on the Rise

Congenital syphilis cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services increased by more than 40% last year amid an ongoing increase in syphilis among women of childbearing age and an enhanced public health effort to detect and track cases. There were 528 cases of congenital syphilis in Texas in 2019, up from 367 in 2018. Learn more

Shortage of STI Test Kits and Laboratory Supplies

There is a current shortage of STI test kits and laboratory supplies, most notably for chlamydia and gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification tests (CT/GC NAAT). The shortages affect multiple diagnostic companies, public health and commercial laboratories. and impact several components of the specimen collection and testing process. Learn more about the shortage and the prioritization of testing while a solution to the shortage is found (PDF : 57 kB).

Home Testing and Home Self-Collection Guidance Roll-Out

DSHS provided interim guidance on the creation of policies for the use of FDA approved home testing kits for HIV, and Laboratory Developed Tests for self collection kits for HIV, STDs, hepatitis C, and tests required for PrEP prescriptions. This interim guidance is intended for use by programs funded or otherwise supported by the DSHS TB/HIV/STD Section. Learn more (PDF : 1,740 kB) | Home Testing and Self Collection Guidance (Word : 52 kB)

CDC Releases Update on Status of HIV Testing, Viral Suppression, and PrEP

CDC released Vital Signs: Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Viral Suppression, and HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis — United States, 2013–2018 [CDC] on December 3, 2019.

Treatment as Prevention

The CDC recently released a letter encouraging providers to continue spreading the word about the power of viral suppression to improve the health of people with HIV and to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. For Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), the science is strong and clear; the data show that the effectiveness for ART with viral suppression is estimated to be 100% for preventing sexual transmission of HIV. Read the letter (PDF : 210 kB).

This site contains HIV or STD messages that may not be deemed appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV and other STDs are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this web site. Photos on this website are all posed by a model.