At a glance
It's STI Awareness Week!
You still have time to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STI) for STI Awareness Week now through April 18th. This is an important opportunity to promote STI prevention and improve sexual health. With the support of our partners, CDC is addressing STIs as a public health concern. Help raise awareness and remember to use #STIWeek on social media.
What's New at NCHHSTP
Introducing News & Updates
In early 2026, NCHHSTP introduced the streamlined News and Updates webpage. This one-stop location is your go-to for new releases, newsletters, and partner information on HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, and TB. You can also have this information emailed directly to your inbox. Subscribe to receive HIV, viral hepatitis, STI, and TB News and Updates and follow the two-step email verification process. You may opt-out at any time by using the same link.
Leadership Update for STD Prevention
In March, Puja Seth, PhD, MA became the Acting Director of the Division of STD Prevention. In this role, she provides leadership and guidance in STD prevention and control across the Division's scientific and programmatic activities. To learn more about recent staffing changes within the Division, please see this update from the National Coalition of STD Directors.
CDC's Find TB Resources
The Find TB Resources website and newsletter officially sunset on March 6. CDC continues to retain the CDC TB General Public Communication and Education resource webpage.
Former NCHHSTP Director, Jonathan Mermin joins Mailman School of Public Health
Following a storied career with CDC and the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), former NCHHSTP Director, Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, (RADM, USPHS, RET) became the ninth Dean of the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health; and Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine. Welcomed warmly into his new role on March 2, Dr. Mermin (affectionately known as "Jono") continues to shape the future of public health. He is greatly missed by his colleagues and friends at CDC.
New Products and Resources
The 2025 Provisional Tuberculosis (TB) Data Report
On March 23rd, CDC released the 2025 Provisional Tuberculosis (TB) Data Report, which shows that TB cases in the United States remained elevated over pre-pandemic levels, with a slight decrease (1%) in cases compared to 2024. There were 10,260 cases provisionally reported in 2025, compared to 10,395 cases in 2024. The rate of TB was 3.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2025 compared to 3.1 cases per 100,000 in 2024, a 2% decrease. It is important to note that these data are preliminary and may change when final numbers are published later this year.
Update on the Bicillin® L-A Shortage
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is allowing the temporary importation of Lentocilin© due to the ongoing limited availability and extended recovery of Bicillin® L-A (Penicillin G Benzathine Injectable Suspension, produced by King Pharmaceuticals LLC, a subsidiary of Pfizer). The National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers developed the Lentocilin© Information for Clinicians with additional information and resources.
Help spread the word: Updated training resources available from Hepatitis B Online
Hepatitis B Online is a free, up-to-date educational resource for health care professionals and trainees to learn how to diagnose, treat, and prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The recently released 3rd Edition offers 12 free CME/CNE/CE, 9 free pharmacology CE for advanced practice nurses, and Certificates of Completion.
- 11 lessons address HBV epidemiology, screening and diagnosis, immunization, managing treatment and reactivation, prevention, and hepatocellular carcinoma screening
- Hepatitis B Management: Guidance for the Primary Care Provider – a simplified, up-to-date guidance developed by a multidisciplinary panel of national experts
- 12 tools and calculators provide clinical decision support
- HBV medications and vaccinations section includes prescribing information and slide decks
- Clinically relevant Mini-Lectures
- Interactive Clinical Challenges
- The learning group tool enables owners to invite members, assign content, and track progress
Hepatitis B Online is funded by a cooperative agreement through DVH (CDC-RFA-PS21-2105). The project is led by the University of Washington Infectious Diseases Education & Assessment (IDEA) Program.
NACCHO Releases Report on Health Department-Pharmacy Partnerships
National Association of County Health Officials (NACCHO), with support from CDC, funded five local health departments to design and implement a collaborative partnership with local pharmacies to expand STI services and care. The project suggested that health departments can and should consider leveraging partnerships with pharmacies to expand STI care and treatment. Other key findings show that:
- Pharmacies are highly accessible and trusted healthcare providers, well-positioned to address barriers to STI care.
- Integrating STI services into pharmacy workflows is feasible and programmatically sustainable, though financial sustainability remains a challenge.
- Effective partnerships require strong communication, trust, and respect for pharmacy expertise.
Learn more with this report, which also offers practical models and tools for health departments seeking to collaborate with pharmacies.
Registration Open for Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Certification
The Disease Intervention Certification Exam application registration is open, courtesy of the Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) National Program. Exam periods are:
- Spring: April 1-May 15, 2026
- Summer: July 1-September 15, 2026
Limited free exams are available for those who register early. Free test prep is also available. Read more about disease intervention and send questions to workforce@aspph.org.
Listen to ASTHO's STI Surveillance Report Discussion
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Public Health Review Morning Edition podcast featured a discussion about new CDC STI surveillance data. The data show encouraging declines in several STIs—but a troubling increase in syphilis among newborns. In this episode, former Division of STD Prevention Director, Dr. Bradley Stoner, breaks down key takeaways including declines in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis, alongside the continued rise in congenital syphilis. Listen to the full episode here.
Events
Hepatitis Awareness Month 2026
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and National Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19. Both observances serve as a time to raise awareness about hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C while encouraging testing, vaccination, and timely treatment. Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and worse, thousands don't know they are infected. Work with us to remind everyone that hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented, and hepatitis C can be cured.
Help spread hepatitis awareness this May by using and promoting CDC's social media toolkit.
World TB Day
March 24th was World TB Day, commemorating the 1882 discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). This year, CDC released preliminary 2025 TB data, which showed that the United States continues to maintain one of the lowest TB incidence rates globally, reflecting the strength of our national, state, and local TB programs. CDC continues to work with partners to raise awareness about TB.