Administrator Celebrates First Year

George Sigounas, MS, Ph.D. addressing HRSA staff on the eve of his one year anniversary as HRSA Admnistrator

On the eve of his first anniversary as HRSA Administrator, George Sigounas, MS, Ph.D. told agency staff, "We have great programs, great people — committed and determined to support our mission ... When we're working together, I believe we're doing better." He also discussed the agency's efforts in the coming year, which will be supported by a budget increase of more than $1 billion — allowing program expansion and additional resources to fight against opioid misuse. HRSA's funding level for FY 2018 is $11.5 billion, the largest in its history.

HRSA-Supported Team Improves Birth Outcomes in U.S. South

April 19: New research published in the American Journal of Public Health found that HRSA-funded efforts to combat infant mortality in the South are improving multiple key indicators.

The study, led by researchers from HRSA, shows early elective delivery decreased by 22 percent in the South versus 14 percent in other regions.

Read the news release.

2018 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment – Abstract Deadline Extended

You still have time to submit an abstract for the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau’s 2018 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment. The deadline has been extended to May 14.

The conference will take place December 11-14, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD. This year’s theme is Catalyzing Success: Advancing Innovation. Leveraging Data. Ending the HIV Epidemic.

Visit the website to submit an abstract for a workshop or poster presentation, learn more about the six conference tracks, and register for the conference. To stay on top of all 2018 National Ryan White Conference news and important updates, follow us on Twitter.

Now Accepting Comments: HRSA Burden Reduction RFI (Request for Information)

May 1: As part of ongoing work to reduce public and stakeholder burden, HRSA released an RFI seeking feedback on specific areas of select HRSA programs.

Comments are open to the public and encouraged for entities significantly affected by HRSA regulations and policy, including State, local, and Tribal governments, health care providers, small businesses, consumers, non-governmental organizations, and trade associations. All comments must be submitted by July 2 in order to be considered.

See the HRSA website for submission instructions.

Opioids Driving Infectious Disease Rates

Thumbnail of a chart showing that hepatitis C and opioid injection rose dramatically in younger Americans between 2004 and 2014

HHS and the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation — a non-profit research arm of the health insurance industry — have initiated an ongoing discussion of national experts who say evidence now links narcotic drug misuse to local outbreaks of infectious diseases.

In recent months, the National Governors Association has reported that at least 15 states have seen increases of 500 percent or more in hepatitis C infections over a decade — and six states have infection increases of 1,000 percent or higher. Further, the CDC has warned 220 counties in 26 states that they are vulnerable to outbreaks of HIV and hepatitis from narcotic needle sharing.

Learn more about opioids and infectious disease rates.

Tribe Confronts Opioids

Photo of the team from HHS, IHS, HUD, and HRSA coming together to help fight the opioid epidemic

Numbering around 12,000 at the time of first contact with European traders and seaman in the 1500-1600s, the Wampanoag peoples lived in dozens of villages in and around the Cape Cod region and mainland southeastern Massachusetts. A succession of epidemics in ensuing decades threatened their very existence. By 1675, according to tribal history, only about 1,000 survived.

Today, the tribe of around 3,000 members faces a new epidemic -- a widening opioid scourge.

Global Health in the Americas

HRSA Administrator Dr. George Sigounas, Principal Deputy Brian LeClair, with Dr. Carissa Etienne, and Dr. James Fitzpatrick of PAHO

HRSA Administrator George Sigounas, MS, Ph.D. and Principal Deputy Administrator Brian LeClair, JD, MBA, convened HRSA senior staff and the agency's Office of Global Health last month to confer with a delegation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

PAHO represents 52 member countries and territories in the Americas on behalf of the World Health Organization.

Health Care in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: A Six-Month Check-Up After the Storms

Map of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered significant damage to their infrastructure and health care systems from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.

Drawing on interviews with residents and key stakeholders as well as public reports, this brief provides an overview of the status of the recovery efforts six months after the storms, with a focus on the health care systems.

Read the report.

Webinar: Consultation Services for Treating Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Wednesday, May 16, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET

HRSA’s Telehealth Webinar Learning Series is hosting a free webinar featuring experts reviewing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s “Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants.” A sample case study will be discussed using the fact sheets in the guidance. Resources will be provided such as the Clinician Consultation Center’s Substance Use Warmline, which provides free and confidential clinician-to-clinician telephone consultation on substance use evaluation and management.

The goal of HRSA's Telehealth Learning Webinar Series is to highlight successful projects/best practices as well as resources to promote and further the use of telehealth technologies for health care delivery, education, and health information services.

Webinar: Telemedicine 101 for Tribal Organizations

Tuesday, May 22, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET

The practice and delivery of health care is changing, with an emphasis on improving quality, safety, efficiency, and access to care. Telemedicine can help you achieve these goals.

HRSA and the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center invite you to a webinar on the implementation and practice of telemedicine.

This is an opportunity for tribal organizations to learn: