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Page last reviewed: November 13, 2024

HIV/STI, Viral Hepatitis Prevention

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We work in partnership with the community to assess, plan, and implement effective public health strategies to reduce the spread of HIV, viral Hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases in the City of Houston.

Get tested for hepatitis C.

CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis CLearn more about hepatitis C. 

    Vision

    The elimination of HIV, viral Hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases through the adoption of health promoting behaviors among the residents of Houston.

    Essential Functions

    • Maximize opportunities to screen for multiple communicable diseases whenever possible.
    • Monitor HIV, Hepatitis and STD morbidity data to identify population and geographic needs and interventions.
    • Investigate newly reported cases of HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Inform, educate, and empower communities about HIV, viral Hepatitis and STD health issues,
      Mobilize partnerships with key community stakeholders to identify and prevent the spread of HIV, viral Hepatitis and sexually transmitted disease.
    • Develop HIV, viral Hepatitis and STD prevention policies and plans that support individual and citywide health efforts.
    • Enforce city, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding HIV and STDs that protect health and ensure safety.
    • Link individuals to needed HIV, viral Hepatitis and STD prevention, intervention, and treatment services.
    • Assure competent public and personal care workforce.
    • Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
    • Research new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
    • Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
    • Research new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

    Event Participation Information

    If your agency or organization is planning an upcoming, community-based event, HDHHS may be able assist with your event. Let us know about your event by completing and submitting the Event Participation Form.

    To prevent delays in this process, please provide detailed information about your event. Any community event that requests HDHHS support and its resources must adhere to the following:

    Written request must be submitted thirty days prior to the event helps to better ensure HDHHS support. Request form should be filled out with as much information as possible. Submit request by fax to 832-393-5236 or email to: hivstdvhtraining@houstontx.gov

    This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages on this site may address these topics. HIV prevention materials funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must be approved by local materials review panels.

    Task Forces and Community Groups

    Podcast Series: Congenital Syphilis — Exploring an Epidemic

    Congenital Syphilis — Exploring an Epidemic is a podcast series designed to increase awareness and build a shared knowledge in the management and prevention of syphilis and congenital syphilis for providers who care for people of reproductive age and their babies. The series focuses on key strategies for providers, clinical administrators, clinic support staff, disease intervention specialists, and the community to decrease the rising rate of syphilis and congenital syphilis in Texas. This effort aims to enhance syphilis screening, timely syphilis treatment and work collaboratively to prevent new cases of congenital syphilis.   

    The podcast is a collaborative effort with the Texas Department of State Health Services Congenital Syphilis team, Public Health Follow-Up staff, and Denver Prevention Training Center. Listeners can find the podcast on the Texas DSHS HIV/STD Congenital Syphilis web page and podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and Google podcast by searching, Exploring an Epidemic: Congenital Syphilis in Texas