FORHP funded the National Academy for State Health Policy to learn from states who expressed early interest in the REH provider type and national experts and develop a guide. This guide allows states to follow their own regulatory processes in drafting and enacting legislation and covers various decision points to consider should they decide to move forward to allow the REH designation. The REH provider type is designed to address concerns that some rural hospitals would not be able to sustain operations and could be at risk of complete closure.  So far, approximately 20 states have REH licensure or regulations in place so this guide can help the remaining states that are considering adding REH licensure or regulations.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a final recommendation statement on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the acquisition of HIV. Healthcare professionals should prescribe PrEP to people at increased risk for HIV. The Task Force has also developed a clinical discussion guide as part of its Let’s Talk About It series to support conversations between clinicians and their patients about whether PrEP may be right for them. To view the recommendation, the evidence on which it is based, a summary for clinicians, and the clinical discussion guide, please go here.

As Mpox cases continue to rise across the commonwealth, the PA Department of Health (DOH) is asking for help in spreading awareness about the Mpox vaccine and the protection it can provide against severe symptoms and infection. Less than 30% of those most at-risk for transmission of Mpox are vaccinated against the virus. Increased vaccination coverage can provide protection against severe symptoms and infection as well as mitigate the potential for a resurgence in Mpox cases. DOH is encouraging any provider office that has not yet done so to please feel free to share the Mpox Vaccine Locator to help individuals find the prevention services that best suit their needs. If you offer the mpox vaccine or provide HIV/STD prevention services, but are not listed on the locators, please submit your information to https://npin.cdc.gov/organization/submit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Abrysvo, a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, the first vaccine approved for use in pregnant individuals to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) and severe LRTD caused by RSV in infants from birth through 6 months of age. Abrysvo is approved for use at 32 through 36 weeks gestational age of pregnancy. Abrysvo is administered as a single-dose injection into the muscle. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S. The Prescribing Information for Abrysvo includes a warning to inform that a numerical imbalance in preterm births in Abrysvo recipients (5.7%) occurred compared to those who received a placebo (4.7%). The warning informs healthcare providers that to avoid the potential risk of preterm birth with the use of Abrysvo before 32 weeks of gestation, administer Abrysvo as indicated in pregnant individuals at 32 through 36 weeks of gestational age.

The Homeless and Housing Resource Council (HHRC) is offering the course Trauma-Informed Outreach and Engagement to provide foundational information about trauma-informed outreach and engagement strategies, approaches, and service delivery models. There will be a focus on ways to support individuals who have serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. This course has been accredited for 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs) by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). NOTE: If you are not yet registered on the HHRC website, free registration is necessary to access the course.

View a presentation to understand the recent changes in training requirements for providers prescribing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and behavioral health professionals can visit the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) behavioral health technical assistance website to watch the 11-minute presentation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Together TakeMeHome initiative is a national direct-to-consumer program that offers free HIV self-tests by mail. People can order up to two free HIV self-tests every 90 days. Tests are available to anyone 17 or older, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. CDC supports this program in partnership with other organizations. They also offer resources health centers can use to promote self-testing as part of their “Let’s Stop HIV Together” initiative.