Formalizing partnerships: How regional coalitions in sexual health can address the STI epidemic

Riba, A.; Landa, A.; Anderson, T.; Potyondy, L.; Starzyk, E.; Wendel, K.

Background Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates have increased in the United States and in Colorado for over five years. To address the rising STI rates in the Denver Metro Area (DMA), leaders at the Denver Prevention Training Center (DPTC), Denver Public Health, and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) supported the establishment of the Denver Metro STI Coalition (DMSC), a collective impact group. Collective impact groups have a history of success in aiding public health crises, most notably the HIV epidemic, but have not been extensively used to address the ongoing U.S. STI epidemic. We discuss the development of an STI collective impact group to increase local communication and collaboration to support high quality, accessible STI care and reduce STI health disparities in our jurisdiction. Approach DMSC members were recruited from health care and community-based organizations engaged in STI services in DMA. This report summarizes DMSC progress from its initial meeting on 11/2019 to 3/2021. Outcomes/Impact DMSC participation has included 106 individuals from 20 health care and community-based organizations. DMSC has conducted four quarterly general assembly meetings. DMSC has facilitated member education through its quarterly meetings, group emails, and DMSC Groupsite shared documents. Shared education and resources have included information on STI epidemiology, STI testing shortages, CDC STI updates, and local STI health alerts. DMSC workgroups have developed products including a one-page congenital syphilis infographic highlighting jurisdictional epidemiology and treatment algorithms, including state specific recommendations for universal third trimester syphilis screening during pregnancy and a provider counseling guide for safe sex during COVID-19. Innovation The DMSC has provided a structure for leveraging local partnerships, sharing information, expanding healthcare provider STI knowledge and improving STI infrastructure in the metropolitan area. STI focused collective impact groups could be used in other jurisdictions to coordinate efforts to control rising STI rates..