Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Forward
How is This Still a Thing? Act Now to End the Crisis of Syphilis & Congenital Syphilis
Course Description:
How can we work together to stop the growing crisis of syphilis and congenital syphilis in the US?
This course will help students to work to end syphilis in communities. Syphilis is a curable bacterial infection. Doctors have been able to cure syphilis since the 1940s. The treatment is penicillin, a well-known antibiotic. Today, syphilis in adults and in babies is a growing problem. Many infected people are not receiving treatment. People living in underserved communities are suffering more than other groups. This course will offer information and raise awareness to stop the growing crisis.
When someone has syphilis, they are also at risk for other diseases. Having two or more related illnesses at the same time can make things even worse, which is sometimes called a syndemic. The information provided here will teach students to understand syphilis and related diseases. It will also explain how to act to stop the crisis.
The authors wrote the course at about a 6th-grade reading level. The course assumes no clinical knowledge. The course will cover what syphilis is and its symptoms. It will describe how the disease changes over time if it is not treated. It will explain diseases and conditions related to syphilis. The course will explain how and why related illnesses can make the disease worse. The course will review risk factors, testing and treatment, and prevention. Upon completion, students will be able to raise awareness. They will be able to provide resources to those who need information and make an impact to stop syphilis.
Target Audience
This course is for anyone who works in a public health or social services setting. The intended audience includes social service providers, health department staff, and others. Community Health Workers (CHWs) may find this course especially useful.
Learning Objectives
- Understand Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis
- Describe the Syphilis Syndemic
- Write a plan to address Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis
Instructors:
Amber Rose, MS
Amber graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Oklahoma Christian University and received her Master of Science in Applied Mathematics - Statistics from the University of Central Oklahoma. She began her public health career working at the Oklahoma State Department of Health within the Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Service in 2011. Amber has served many roles in the service area, including eHARS Reactor Desk, STI Surveillance Manager, and program manager for the HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Analysis program. During her time at OSDH, she has co-created and co-lead the Oklahoma Congenital Syphilis Review Board and the Oklahoma Congenital Syphilis Task Force and served as a member of the Oklahoma Council of Infectious Diseases. She currently serves as the Director for the Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Service, an integrated department that includes Ryan White Care, Disease Intervention, Prevention and Harm Reduction, and Surveillance and Analysis.
Amy Carter, BS
Amy Carter received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has worked in Public Health Education with a focus on reproductive health and safety and sexually transmitted disease prevention for over 10 years. She is currently the Texas DSHS Congenital Syphilis Coordinator and oversees the congenital syphilis prevention and reporting activities across the state. Previously she worked for Dallas County Health and Human Services, where she started as a Disease Intervention Specialist who investigated congenital syphilis reports and was promoted to First Line Supervisor. While in that role, she was the co-lead in developing the Dallas-Fort Worth Fetal Infant Morbidity Review Board (FIMR), coordinated and facilitated FIMR meetings, trained staff, and assisted with provider education. Prior to relocating to Texas, she was the Health Educator and a Program Manager at Jones County Health Department, where she oversaw all health education activities for the county, worked with clinical staff, and developed community partnerships in and around Jones County, North Carolina.
CE Credit Instructions:
Community Health Workers (CHWs) may be able to earn CEs upon successful completion. More information pending.
Available Credit
- 2.00 Participation/CETulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 2.00 hour(s) of credit for completing How is This Still a Thing? Act Now to End the Crisis of Syphilis & Congenital Syphilis
Price
Required Hardware/software
System Settings
This course is designed to work most effectively if your computer and internet connection meet certain minimal requirements. This course can be accessed using a Windows 10 PC or a Mac with High Sierra1, Mojave, or Catalina. Pop-up blockers should be disabled when viewing the course. Internet Explorer 11 (for Windows 10), or the current version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari (for Windows 10 and or Mac) is required. Many of our courses require Java and JavaScript enabled.
Links to External Websites
Links to websites outside this course will open in a new window or tab. Some browsers may minimize the course window. If this occurs, maximize the course window to return to the course.
Adobe Acrobat Reader (for desktops and laptops)
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to access some documents in this course. If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click here.
Internet Connection Speed
A minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for an optimal experience, which is commonly the speed associated with a basic DSL or a cellular/satellite connection. A faster connection, such as cable or fiber service, with further enhance your online experience. A Wi-Fi connection is generally acceptable, but it is dependent upon one of the two services mentioned above. You can check your internet connection speed at http://www.speedtest.net/.