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  • March 19, 2024 8:37 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    News from the U.S. Department of Health and Human

    Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Region 5

    What is congenital syphilis (CS)?

    Congenital syphilis (CS) is a disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy. Learn more about syphilis.

    Almost 9 in 10 cases of newborn syphilis in 2022 might have been prevented with timely testing and treatment during pregnancy.

    More than half were among people who tested positive for syphilis during pregnancy but did not receive adequate or timely treatment.

    Nearly 40 percent were among mothers who were not in prenatal care.

    One of the biggest risk factors for syphilis for some people is where they live. According to previous CDC datain 2021, more than 70 percent of the U.S. population lived in counties considered to have high rates of syphilis among reproductive-age women (above the Healthy People 2030 target).

    How can CS affect a baby?

    CS can have major health impacts on your baby. How CS affects your baby’s health depends on how long you had syphilis and if — or when — you got treatment for the infection.

    CS can cause:

    • Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
    • Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
    • Prematurity (a baby born early)
    • Low birth weight
    • Death shortly after birth

    Babies born to women with untreated syphilis may be stillborn, or die from the infection as a newborn.

    For babies born with CS, CS can cause:

    • Deformed bones
    • Severe anemia (low blood count)
    • Enlarged liver and spleen
    • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
    • Brain and nerve problems, like blindness or deafness
    • Meningitis
    • Skin rashes

    These outcomes can be prevented through appropriate screening and treatment.

    In 2022, lack of timely testing and adequate treatment contributed to almost 90% of congenital syphilis cases in the United States, including substantial proportions of congenital syphilis cases in all U.S. Census Bureau regions and among all racial and ethnic groups.

    U.S. syphilis cases reach highest levels since the 1950s, creating a critical public health need

    More than 3,700 cases of congenital syphilis were documented among newborns in 2022–more than 10 times the number diagnosed in 2012.

    If untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the heart and brain and can cause blindness, deafness, and paralysis. When transmitted during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, lifelong medical issues, and infant death.

    In response to the surging number of syphilis and congenital syphilis cases nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking action to slow the spread with a focus on those most significantly impacted. Through the establishment of the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic (NSCSS) Federal Task Force, the Department is utilizing its agencies, its expertise, and its stakeholder network to respond to the U.S. syphilis and congenital syphilis epidemic. The actions of the Task Force leverage federal resources to reduce rates, promote health equity, engage impacted communities and direct resources to support those most impacted.

    HHS Announces Department Actions to Slow Surging Syphilis Epidemic

    CDC’s 2022 STI Surveillance Report underscores that STIs must be a public health priority

    Congenital syphilis rates are rapidly increasing in the United States and are at the highest level in at least 30 years (4). Barriers to congenital syphilis prevention are multifactorial, including those at the patient level, such as substance use and insurance status, and those at the system level, such as structural inequities, limited access to health care, and medication shortages (5,8,16,17,20). Addressing patient and system-level barriers to accessing testing, treatment, and care could help prevent congenital syphilis. Improvements in timely testing and appropriate treatment of syphilis through tailored strategies at local and national levels will help control the congenital syphilis epidemic in the United States. Vital Signs: Missed Opportunities for Preventing Congenital Syphilis — United States, 2022 | MMWR (cdc.gov)

    Disclaimer

    Links to non-federal sites are included for your convenience. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-federal links. Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by HHS or any of its employees of the sponsors, information, or products presented on the site.  Also, the linked content may not comply with all U.S. government guidance for Web sites.

    About Our Office

    Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Regional Offices perform essential functions on behalf of the HHS Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), the Surgeon General (SG), and in collaboration with other HHS Operating Divisions. In Region 5, we work to protect and promote the health of all communities within the six Great Lakes states of IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI. Learn more about OASH Region 5 here: https://www.hhs.gov/ash/about-ash/regional-offices/region-5/index.html

  • March 13, 2024 3:52 PM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    The field of cervical cancer prevention is continually evolving. APAOG is part of the Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines effort, a consensus process including 20 clinical, patient representative, and federal partner organizations to provide regular updates to the 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines for Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors. The Enduring Guidelines process begins with review of new evidence from population-based and other studies and leads to updated guidelines that continually improve clinical management. In March 2024, two papers were published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Diseases. The first describes the background, methods, and approach of the effort. The second presents guidelines for the incorporation of p16/Ki67 Dual Stain (Dual Stain) guidelines for evaluating patients with a positive HPV screening test.

    The Dual Stain test, commercially available as CINtec® PLUS Cytology, identifies cells in a liquid cytology sample that are often precancerous. Dual Stain is an option for clinicians who choose to use this test; other alternatives remain available. Dual Stain can be used instead of or in addition to liquid cytology (Pap testing) on HPV positive patients to better identify those who require a colposcopy. Resource utilization analyses suggest that compared to cytology, Dual Stain detects precancer earlier and fewer patients need biopsies. For most patients testing HPV positive, colposcopy is recommended for those who also test Dual Stain positive. Follow-up in one (1) year is recommended for most patients testing HPV positive and Dual Stain negative.

    Read the full Dual Stain guidelines here:

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38446575/

    Read the introductory paper here:

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38446573/

  • February 23, 2024 1:21 PM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    "This week, the Alabama Supreme Court handed down a decision on LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, Inc. The court held that a fertilized frozen egg (an embryo) is the legal equivalent to a fetus or living child.

    Modern medicine and technology within the field of reproductive endocrinology assists patients who experience infertility. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 married women, with no prior birth history, experience infertility and are unable to get pregnant after 1 year of trying. As such, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is an accepted standard of care to assist and enable patients to conceive a child.

    IVF is an integral part of healthcare, to which all Americans should have access. 

    This ruling significantly impacts patients and providers in Alabama, and its chilling effect can already be seen as clinics begin to temporarily suspend IVF-related services. Healthcare providers are being put in a hard position, with many unwilling to provide care due to the potential legal ramifications.

    We recognize the tremendous impact this ruling has for our Alabama members and providers, and of course, patients throughout the state. APAOG is here to support all of you - providers, patients and their families - during this challenging time."

    Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Additional resources on this topic:

    https://www.acog.org/news/news-articles/2024/02/acog-statement-on-alabama-supreme-court-ivf-decision

    https://www.asrm.org/news-and-events/asrm-news/press-releasesbulletins/asrm-condemns-dangerous-court-decision-alabama/

    https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4481856-how-alabamas-frozen-embryo-decision-is-shaking-the-nation-what-you-need-to-know/


  • February 15, 2024 10:13 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    APAOG is seeking nominees to serve as the next AAPA liaison to ACOG. This is a two-year term, starting July 1, 2024. AAPA's guidelines for liaisons can be found HERE. To apply directly to AAPA, please use the general call for volunteers option on the AAPA website. 

    To apply as an APAOG nominee, please indicate your interest by emailing your cover letter and CV to apaog@badgerbay.co by March 14, 2024. You will be contacted directly if APAOG chooses to nominate you for consideration.

    Please contact the APAOG office with any questions.

  • January 25, 2024 9:02 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    The Artemis, APAOG's quarterly professional journal seeks qualified PAs and other health professionals willing to review and critically evaluate manuscripts for their suitability for publication, relevance to readers, and consistency with evidence-based practice. We are seeking reviewers in primary care, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and research. Please complete the following application to be considered as a peer reviewer. Please direct any questions to the APAOG office at apaog@badgerbay.co (not com). Thank you!

  • January 25, 2024 8:29 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    Are you a PA student with a passion for women's health? APAOG invites you to apply to serve as student liaison for a one-year term. The application deadline has been extended to February 15, 2024. Please apply by completing this form.

  • January 23, 2024 2:36 PM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    AAPA is seeking AAPA members to represent the Academy and the profession to ACOG for a two-year term beginning July 2024 and concluding June 2024. Interested candidates should visit the AAPA website for more information and to apply.

  • September 29, 2023 1:28 PM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    Please click HERE to read the full statement on the RSV Vaccination in Pregnancy by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM).

  • September 27, 2023 11:54 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    Check out this graphic for more information and learn how to join our Maternal Immunization Task Force to help continue this important work!

  • September 14, 2023 9:38 AM | APAOG Admin (Administrator)

    ACOG is excited to share that the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act has been introduced in the US Congress by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

    This bill requires more health insurers to provide coverage for infertility treatment, as well as fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary procedures that may cause infertility, such as chemotherapy. Further, the bill requires most health insurance plans, as well as plans offered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, TRICARE, ERISA, and the VA, to provide coverage for treatment of infertility without raising insurance or copayment costs.

    Congress has a unique opportunity to support families struggling with infertility, and needs to hear from you now about the positive impact this legislation would have for your patients. Tell your Senators and Representative to cosponsor the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act today! Click here for a template email that you can easily edit to share your own story on this issue and why it is important to you and your patients.

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