COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

April 4, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April, 22, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health and Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the State Department of Health Services for Chlamydia Screening

Recommendation

1.

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with the State Department of Health Services for Chlamydia Screening

2.

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing the appropriation of $30,000 in unanticipated revenue for FY 2002-03.

Background

Chlamydia is the number one sexually transmitted disease affecting older adolescents and young adults in the United States today. In 2001, 1,219 cases of chlamydia were reported to the San Mateo County Health Services Agency. This represented 80% of all reportable STDs. 319 of these cases (or about 25%) were in the 15-19 year old age group. In California, the Chlamydia "Get Tested" project has identified youth in juvenile justice facilities as being the most at risk. The State of California STD Control Branch has embarked on a state/local collaboration to decrease the prevalence of chlamydia infection through screening high-risk youth in California. As a result, universal screening shortly after intake in juvenile justice facilities is being proposed as an effective strategy to decrease morbidity and transmission of chlamydia. The value of STD screening in correctional facilities across the United States is widely recognized.

Discussion

San Mateo County has received a one-year grant from the State Department of Health Services STD Control Branch for a chlamydia screening project. The purpose of the project is to provide chlamydia screening for high-risk adolescents in juvenile justice facilities through partnerships between juvenile justice and local health department STD control programs.

Urine-based screening will be conducted at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall, in conjunction with Correctional Health Services. The State will provide funding to support administrative activities and laboratory testing related to this program, as well as provide antibiotics to treat infected cases. Funds have been provided to the State by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Up to 600 females and 300 males will be tested over the twelve-month period.

This program is part of an overall strategy by the CDC to reduce the number of chlamydia cases in the United States, and will assist the CDC in determining the feasibility of national performance measures. The CDC's goal is to reduce the number of chlamydia cases nationwide in juvenile justice facilities by 20%.

Vision Alignment

The agreement with the State Department of Health Services keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 8: Help vulnerable people - the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life. The agreement with the State Department of Health Services contributes to this commitment and goal by providing for chlamydia screening for at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement with the State Department of Health Services is October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003. The total amount of this agreement is $40,000; $30,000 is included in the attached ATR for revenue and expenditures in FY 2002-03 and $10,000 will be included in the recommended FY 2003-04 budget. The attached ATR for $30,000 includes an intrafund account for $10,500 with Correctional Health. Funding will support laboratory costs, medication, nursing staff time and communicable disease investigators. There is no new net county cost.