[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 19086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09113]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Information (RFI): Developing an STD Federal Action 
Plan

AGENCY: Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of 
Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: To help inform the development of the Sexually Transmitted 
Diseases (STD) Federal Action Plan, HHS seeks input from stakeholders 
on what strategies can be implemented by federal agencies to improve 
the efficiency, effectiveness, coordination, accountability, and impact 
of our national response to increasing rates of STDs.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at the 
address provided below, no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on June 3, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Electronic responses are strongly preferred and may be 
addressed to [email protected]. Written responses should be addressed to: 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street SW, Room 
L001, Washington, DC 20024; Attention STD RFI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Habel, MPH in the HHS Office 
of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, (202) 795-7697.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rates of sexually transmitted diseases 
(STDs) in 2017 reached an all-time high among males and females and all 
racial and ethnic groups. Since 2013, reported chlamydia rates have 
increased 22%, gonorrhea rates 67%, syphilis rates 76%, and congenital 
syphilis rates 154%; the combined number of cases was 2.3 million up 
from 1.8 million in 2013.\1\ These infections can lead to long-term 
health consequences such as infertility and can facilitate HIV 
transmission. While gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis infections have 
grown considerably over the past four years, human papillomavirus (HPV) 
remains the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., 
affecting close to half of adults of reproductive age. HPV infections 
result in approximately 33,700 cases of certain types of cancer each 
year in the U.S.\2\ Most of these cancers are preventable through the 
use of the HPV vaccination series. These numbers represent real people 
and expose hidden fragile populations who are not getting the 
preventive services and health care they need. While STDs affect all 
groups of the U.S. population, they disproportionately affect certain 
vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, youth ages 15-24 years, men 
who have sex with men, and racial and ethnic minorities. Beyond the 
impact on an individual's health, in 2013 it was estimated that STDs 
cost the U.S. health care system more than $16 billion annually, and 
STDs have increased dramatically since then.\3\
    To respond and address the STD public health epidemic, OHAIDP in 
collaboration with other federal partners is leading and coordinating 
development of a STD Federal Action Plan. The development process for 
the action plan will seek input from subject matter experts, nonfederal 
partners and stakeholders including health care providers and systems, 
state, tribal, and local health departments, community-based and faith-
based organizations, national professional organizations, researchers, 
advocates, and persons whose lives have been affected by these 
infections. The action plan is expected to address prevention, 
diagnosis, care and treatment, as well as coordination of efforts, 
policies, and programs throughout the federal government. It will also 
address stigma, discrimination, co-infections (e.g., HIV and viral 
hepatitis), and social determinants of health.
    This request for information seeks public input on how the federal 
government should address the rising rates of STDs and what strategies 
can be implemented to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, 
coordination, accountability, and impact of the federal response to STD 
prevention, care and treatment policies, services and programs. The 
information received will inform the STD Federal Action Plan.
    Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:
    1. How should the federal government address the rising rates of 
STDs?
    2. What strategies can be implemented by federal agencies to 
improve the efficiency, effectiveness, coordination, accountability, 
and impact of our national response to increasing rates of STDs for all 
priority populations?
    3. What are the barriers to people getting the quality STD health 
services they deserve? What strategies can be implemented by federal 
agencies to overcome these barriers?
    4. How can federal agencies influence, design and implement STD-
related policies, services and programs in innovative and culturally-
responsive ways for priority populations?
    5. How can the federal government help to reduce STD-associated 
stigma and discrimination?

    Dated: April 11, 2019.
Tammy R. Beckham,
Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy.

Footnotes

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted 
Disease Surveillance 2017. Atlanta: U.S: Department of Health and 
Human Services, 2018: Available at https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats.
2. Eng TR, Butler WT, editors; Institute of Medicine (US). Summary: 
The hidden epidemic: Confronting sexually transmitted diseases. 
Washington (DC): National Academy Press; 1997. p. 43.
3. Owusu-Edusei K Jr, Chesson HW, Gift TL, et al. The estimated 
direct medical cost of selected sexually transmitted infections in 
the United States, 2008. Sex Transm Dis 2013; 40(3):197-201. 
DOI:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318285c6d2.

[FR Doc. 2019-09113 Filed 5-2-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P