Multilevel Drivers of Congenital Syphilis, Oregon, 2013 to 2021.

Background: Despite the availability of curative penicillin treatment for syphilis during pregnancy, congenital syphilis (CS) cases have surged in the United States, including in Oregon.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of individual- and county-level predictors of CS among pregnant people with syphilis in Oregon from 2013 to 2021. Data were collated from surveillance reports, County Health Rankings, and other sources with upstream county-level data.

TakeMeHome: A Novel Method for Reaching Previously Untested People Through Online Ordering and Self-Collect HIV and STI Testing.

Background: Despite national testing guidelines, rates of testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C remain lower than recommended for men who have sex with men in the United States. To help address this, the TakeMeHome (TMH) program was started in March 2020 by Building Healthy Online Communities, a consortium of public health organizations and dating apps, to work with health departments to increase access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men on dating apps.

Methods: Users of participating dating apps were sent messages about opportunities for testing with self-collected specimens through TMH.

Impact of COVID-19 on People Living With HIV: Data From Five Medical Monitoring Project Sites, 2020-2022.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economic and healthcare systems. People living with HIV (PLWH) represent a marginalized and stigmatized population who may have been particularly impacted. The purpose of this analysis was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PLWH in the United States.

Human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness among people who inject drugs in Portland, Oregon.

Background: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) has demonstrated efficacy yet awareness of PrEP among PWID is low.

Methods: 2018 National Behavioral Health Survey data from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan statistical area was analyzed with chi-squared tests and generalized linear models to determine correlates of PrEP awareness among PWID.

Results: 80% of the sample had at least one indication for PrEP and 15% of the sample was aware of PrEP.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among People Living with HIV.

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 and are a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination. As of June 15, 2021, 61.6% of PLWH in Oregon received ≥ 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose.