Background: Surveillance reports have shown that reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing. The provision of partner services is an effective tool for preventing and reducing the spread of STDs. We examined partner services provided by health departments and assessed for associations with jurisdiction size, STD morbidity, and region. Methods:We used stratified random sampling to select 668 local health departments (LHDs) and selected all (n = 50) state health departments (SHDs). Rao-Scott χ 2 analyses were performed to examine partner services by health department type (SHD vs. LHD), region, jurisdiction size (LHD only), and STD morbidity (LHD only).Results: Approximately 49.0% of LHDs and 88.0% of SHDs responded to the survey. Most LHDs (81.6%) and SHDs (79.5%) provided partner services for some STDs (P = 0.63). Compared with SHDs, a higher proportion of LHDs provided expedited partner therapy for chlamydia (66.8% vs. 34.2%, P < 0.01) and gonorrhea (39.3% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.09). Partner service staff performed other activities such as conducting enhanced surveillance activities (23.0% of LHDs, 34.3% of SHDs; P = 0.20) and participating in outbreak response and emergency preparedness (84.8% of LHDs, 80.0% of SHDs; P = 0.51). Associations were found when partner services were stratified by health department type, jurisdiction size, STD morbidity, and region. All LHDs in high-morbidity areas provided partner services and 45.4% performed serologic testing of syphilis contacts in the field.Conclusions: A majority of STD programs in LHDs and SHDs provide a variety of partner services and partner service-related activities. It is imperative to continue monitoring the provision of partner services to understand how critical public health needs are being met.

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Contact UsThe National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) convened three meetings in 2017-2018 to explore the role of local health departments (LHDs) in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents through school-based programs. Each meeting focused on one of the three Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-developed approaches for school-based HIV/ STI prevention: health services, health education, and safe and supportive environments. The goal of the meetings was to increase participants' capacity to implement the school-based HIV/STI prevention approaches and to identify and explore current and potential roles for LHDs in school-based adolescent sexual health efforts. Other key components of each meeting included an in-depth look at the relationship between LHDs and local education agencies (LEAs), as well as strategies for increasing LHD-LEA partnerships (see Appendix A for detailed meeting objectives).The meetings brought together 63 LHD staff, 14 LEA participants, and representatives from national public health and education organizations from 47 jurisdictions across 32 states (see Figure 1). Meeting participants were strategically invited to represent a diverse range of communities and a wide variety of approaches to school-based adolescent sexual health (see Appendix B). Through learning and dialogue, participants identified LHDs leading and innovating in the field of adolescent sexual health, shared best practices for LHD-LEA partnerships, and established opportunities for peer mentoring and engagement. This report highlights key findings and themes from each meeting, which provide insight on the roles of LHDs in school-based HIV/STI prevention. LHDs are often the backbone of district-level health initiatives and through these meetings, LHD staff illustrated the numerous and innovative ways they support adolescent sexual health. Specifically, LHD participants shared how they can support LEAs by leveraging their experience in community outreach and engagement, the provision and assurance of high-quality health services, and the design and implementation of health education programs. This series of meetings also shed light on the resources LHDs need to effectively engage LEAs and other stakeholders to better promote the health and well-being of adolescents in their communities, and the importance of receiving funding and capacity-building assistance to maximize their impact.