Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · 5h

About two weeks away from this webinar focused on highlighting presenters who could not attend the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress due to financial and political barriers. Register at www.stiwatch.org/event/beyond...

AVAC @avac.org · 16d

Join us, @iusti-europe.bsky.social, #ISTDR, @stihiv2025.org October 29 for a webinar on the latest in #STI R&D from voices you have not yet heard!

🔗 www.stiwatch.org/events-webin...

Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · 10d

There is a chlamydia vaccine for Koala's!!!! I think we can all retire knowing the future is bright because at least the Koala's have a chlamydia vaccine. doi.org/10.1002%2Fve...

Protecting koalas from chlamydial disease

You have to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings in order to use the eReader.

doi.org

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · 23d

Check out the newest STIWatch Newsletter!

AVAC @avac.org · 23d

The latest #STIWatch newsletter is live!

✔️ Highlights from the STI & #HIV World Congress
✔️ What US research defunding means for #STIs
✔️ New WHO STI guidelines
✔️ Q&A with AVAC’s Alison Footman
✔️ New blog from global partners on advocacy priorities

📰 Read more: tinyurl.com/STIwatch

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Sep 8

A reminder that you have till Friday to sign up as a speaker for this webinar! All are welcome and I am excited to hear about your work! #STIHIV25

Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Sep 3

@stihiv2025.org @avac.org #IUSTI & #ISSTDR are hosting a webinar focused on highlighting speakers and research that were not presented during the #STIHIV25 congress because of financial or political barriers. If you are interested in presenting please complete this form tinyurl.com/STIHIV25

Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Sep 5

OMG!!!!!!!!!!

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

Myles Helfand @myhelfy.bsky.social · Sep 2

This piece by @alisonfootman.bsky.social really nicely (and depressingly) encapsulates the real-world effect of the ongoing chaos in sexual health funding. HIV intersects heavily with STIs, so even as we worry about HIV funding cliffs in the U.S., we've got other fronts we need to fight on as well.

AVAC @avac.org · Sep 2

Read AVAC’s @alisonfootman.bsky.social on the devastating impact of funding cuts on #STI research. Leading researchers warn of shuttered studies, lost talent & setbacks for urgently needed innovation.

Read ➡️ www.thebodypro.com/sexually-tra...

@myhelfy.bsky.social #HIV

The Real-World Impact of Defunding STI Research

Seven researchers from leading institutions have written letters to document the impact the U.S. funding cuts have had on their research, their institutions, and the people who would benefit from this...

www.thebodypro.com

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Sep 3

@stihiv2025.org @avac.org #IUSTI & #ISSTDR are hosting a webinar focused on highlighting speakers and research that were not presented during the #STIHIV25 congress because of financial or political barriers. If you are interested in presenting please complete this form tinyurl.com/STIHIV25

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Jul 23

The #STIHIV2025 congress kicks off in Montréal this weekend. AVAC is tracking key sessions, strategies, and advocacy needed to confront rising infections and shrinking budgets. Follow along with our latest #STIWatch preview. #IUSTI2025 #STIadvocacy #GlobalHealth

🔗 www.stiwatch.org/whats-next-f...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

Tatum Mortimer @tatumdmortimer.bsky.social · Jun 26

If you are an early career research attending @stihiv2025.org and interested in learning more about data visualization in R, @odileharrison.bsky.social , Sim Dabee, and I are organizing a workshop during the conference (11:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday). Register here: forms.gle/e4UL1NG62PUD...

ECR Data Visualisation Workshop

Please complete this application to attend the Data Viz workshop. This event will be held at the 2025 STI & HIV World Congress in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, July 30th from 11:30-13:30. Effective...

forms.gle

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

STIRIG @stirig-lshtm.bsky.social · Jun 24

Congratulations to the New Zealand Herpes Foundation on winning a prize for their excellent campaign to destigmatize herpes. 👏

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

New Zealand ad campaign to make country ‘best place in the world to have herpes’ wins top prize at Cannes Lions

Retro-style tourism video fronted by a former All Blacks coach won the Cannes Lions grand prix for good award

www.theguardian.com

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Jun 24

You can still register for this exciting webinar that is just TWO weeks away and co-hosted by @ashasexualhealth.bsky.social and @avac.org. Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · May 21

Good news in the fight against #STIs: England is rolling out the world’s first #gonorrhea vaccine—the #4CMenB meningococcal vax, found to offer protection against gonorrhea too.

Learn more: www.stiwatch.org/gonorrhea
#STIWatch

bbc.com/news/article...

Gonorrhoea vaccine to be rolled out in England from August

The treatment will be offered to those most at risk from August after a record number of cases.

bbc.com

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · May 14

#WHO is developing global guidance on DoxyPEP for #STI prevention and they want to hear from you!

🗣️ Submit your input by May 31: extranet.who.int/dataformv6/i....

Learn more about #DoxyPEP for STI prevention, www.stiwatch.org/prevention.

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · May 12

✨ @avac.org's brief on the global impact of US funding cuts to the STI field was just released! STI research and prevention efforts are being severely compromised during this new administration. www.stiwatch.org/worldwide-pr...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

STIRIG @stirig-lshtm.bsky.social · Apr 29

Get submitting!

#STISky #STI

ehardingesch.bsky.social @ehardingesch.bsky.social · Apr 29

Submit your papers on #STI point-of-care testing now! Deadline 31st August. sti.bmj.com/pages/topic-...
Instructions for authors: sti.bmj.com/pages/authors
@bmj.com
@bashhuk.bsky.social
@stirig-lshtm.bsky.social

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Apr 17

Wisconsin has seen a 1,450% increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2019, the state's Dept of Health Services reports.
This at a time when the country's premier #STD lab has been shuttered in the devastating cuts at #CDC.
What could possibly go wrong? www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Apr 14

As we close the first quarter of 2025, AVAC is tracking a handful of issues likely to shape the #STI landscape this year. Here are highlights, trends to watch, and valuable resources to support advocacy.

Read the latest issue of our STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter! www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Apr 13

It’s #STI Awareness Week! 🧬 From new self-tests to promising vaccine research, there's momentum—but also real threats from funding cuts and agency rollbacks. Stay informed.

🔗 STIwatch.org
#STIAwarenessWeek #STIWatch #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth

STI Watch

And better, faster, less expensive testing tools to reduce the toll of STIs.

STIwatch.org

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Apr 10

The elimination of the CDC National STD Reference Laboratory has been horrific. We have lost the ability to monitor antimicrobial resistance for gonorrhea, which has become hesitant to nearly all treatment options. We need this lab to keep America healthy.
www.change.org/p/protect-th...

Sign the Petition

Protect the CDC's National STD Reference Laboratory

www.change.org

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Apr 3

This week @hivpxresearch.bsky.social released the first STIWatch newsletter of the year. Times right now are frightful and the STI field is seeing a lot of great movement, with the FDA marketing approval for the first STI self-test for women and much more!

AVAC @avac.org · Mar 31

Latest #STIWatch issue is out! We cover the first self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea & trich, introduce a new #selfcare guide and spotlight the top issues we’re monitoring as the dismantling of global health continues. #STI

🔗 www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Mar 28

BIG news for #STI detection and prevention, www.fda.gov/news-events/.... #FDA gave marketing approval for the FIRST self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, & trichomoniasis paving the way for other diagnostics. Visit www.stiwatch.org to learn more about diagnostics other prevention strategies.

FDA Grants Marketing Authorization of First Home Test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis

The FDA granted marketing authorization of the first at home diagnostic test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.

www.fda.gov

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Alison Footman PhD, MPH @alisonfootman.bsky.social · Mar 17

ASTDA and IUSTI Canada are hosting an early career development symposium during the @stihiv2025.org
World Congress. Apply by April 15th at tinyurl.com/ASTDACanada as 40 spaces are available. This session primarily for those living in North America.

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Mar 4

New #DoxyPEP research using gonorrhea surveillance data shows increased #AMR resistance in gonorrhea and other bacteria. This crucial data—and the research it enables—is at risk under the new administration’s cuts to #CDC & #STI funding. More here: www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobia....

DoxyPEP study shows an increase of resistance in targeted and 'bystander' bacteria

www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Jan 27

As we close #CervicalCancer Awareness Month, check out a series of conversations we hosted last year alongside partners and experts in the field discussing treatment and prevention and hear directly from advocates and survivors. Watch the full recordings here! 📽️ stiwatch.org/cervical-cancer-series

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Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH

AVAC @avac.org · Jan 8

January is #CervicalCancer Awareness Month. During this time last year, AVAC alongside partners and experts in the field hosted a wide range of conversations surfacing topics such as treatment and prevention, hearing directly from advocates and exploring which communities are most impacted.

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