History of the Infertility Prevention Projects
In 1993 Congress appropriated funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin a national STD-related Infertility Prevention Project. The program was designed to improve screening, surveillance, and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis in the United States. By 1996 the CDC had contracted with all states for demonstration level health funding to provide tests and treatment for chlamydia in select family planning and STD clinics.
The Region V Infertility Prevention Project
The Region V Infertility Prevention Project (RVIPP) is funded through an interagency agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of Population Affairs (OPA). The RVIPP aims to reduce the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection in Public Health Service Region V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The project is designed to create and sustain an infrastructure that fosters a working relationship between STD and family planning programs and public health laboratories.
Since 1994 the states have worked collaboratively through the RVIPP Advisory Committee. During the past 15 years, the members of the RVIPP Advisory Committee have collaborated to develop screening criteria, collect data, establish volume purchasing, exchange information and research, and set regional objectives. Each state has an infertility prevention state alliance that relays recommendations to the RVIPP Advisory Committee, and in turn, receives guidance from the region.
Since the origin of this project, regional activities have been coordinated by Health Care Education and Training, Inc. (HCET), a non-profit organization that provides training, technical assistance, and infrastructure development on issues of reproductive and women’s health within the region. HCET serves professionals, health care systems, and communities to enhance health.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common bacterial, sexually transmitted infection in the United States with an estimated 2.8 million new infections occurring annually. Approximately 75% of infected women and 50% of infected men have no symptoms, and therefore, may not seek health care until severe health problems occur. Infection with chlamydia can result in substantial costs both in terms of morbidity and dollars. When diagnosed chlamydia can be easily treated and cured, but untreated chlamydia can cause severe and costly reproductive health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is linked to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Any sexually active individual can be at risk for chlamydia. Adolescents and young women are at particular risk for infection because the cells within the cervix are not fully matured. Screening at least annually for chlamydia is recommended for women aged 25 years and younger to prevent the consequences that could result from infection.
Transmission of chlamydia can be prevented or reduced by abstaining from sexual contact, being in a mutually monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested and are found to be uninfected, or by using latex condoms consistently and correctly.
For more information:
CDC’s Chlamydia Fact Sheet
Gonorrhea
Neisseria gonorrrhoeae (GC) is the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted disease. CDC estimates that 700,000 people contract gonorrhea per year with only about half being reported. Like chlamydia, gonorrhea often goes undiagnosed because it does not always display symptoms, but when diagnosed, it can be treated and cured preventing other reproductive health problems such as PID. However, antibiotic resistant strains of gonorrhea are on the rise making successful treatment more difficult.
Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. Sexually active adolescents, young adults, and African Americans are among those with the highest rates of infection.
Transmission can be prevented or reduced by practicing abstinence, being in a mutually monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested and are found to be uninfected, or by using latex condoms consistently and correctly.
For more information:
CDC’s Gonorrhea Fact Sheet