Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Ending HIV/HCV/Syphilis Epidemics at TCRHCC - Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) is dedicated to enhancing sexual health and STI management across its extensive service area, particularly focusing on HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis. Established in 1975 and with its Public Health Department founded in 2020, TCRHCC has developed a robust infrastructure to address these critical health concerns. The STI Team, formed in February 2022, plays a pivotal role in this effort, managing cases of syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea through comprehensive case management, education, and follow-up care. The core activities of the Public Health Department include coordinating patient care, ensuring timely treatments, and managing contact investigations to prevent further transmission of STIs. Public Health Technicians (PHTs) are instrumental in this process, handling appointment scheduling, reminders, and case transfers. They also conduct contact investigations, notify partners, and provide essential sexual health education. To support these efforts, TCRHCC employs a comprehensive STI Master Spreadsheet for case tracking and outcome evaluation, ensuring data-driven decision-making. TCRHCC’s commitment to collaboration is evident through its multidisciplinary STI case reviews and partnerships with external health organizations, including the Arizona Department of Health. This collaborative approach enhances service delivery and public health outcomes. Additionally, TCRHCC’s status as the sole regional testing center within a 75-mile radius underscores its critical role in STI testing and treatment in its remote service area. The organization’s extensive healthcare offerings include primary and specialized care, emergency services, and a groundbreaking cancer clinic. This clinic integrates native healing practices with Western medicine, providing culturally sensitive cancer care. TCRHCC’s Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Mobile Health Program extends essential services to remote areas, ensuring comprehensive care reaches underserved communities. Looking ahead, TCRHCC aims to strengthen its STI prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies through targeted interventions and expanded outreach. Plans include increasing STI testing rates by 5-10%, improving PrEP coverage, and enhancing partner services. The organization will also implement routine HIV testing for all patients aged 13-64 years and prioritize rapid initiation of HIV treatment. To evaluate its progress, TCRHCC will utilize a detailed evaluation plan that includes tracking key metrics, regular reporting, and community feedback. By establishing a baseline in 2024 and systematically analyzing data, TCRHCC will assess the effectiveness of its initiatives and make informed adjustments. Engaging the community through surveys and focus groups will also provide valuable insights into program impact and areas for improvement. Securing new funding is crucial for sustaining and expanding TCRHCC’s STI activities, especially as current grant-funded positions are set to expire in 2025. This support will enable TCRHCC to continue its comprehensive approach to STI management and make significant strides toward improving health outcomes and ending STI-related disparities in AI/AN communities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).