Division
of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention
The Massachusetts State Legislature established the Division
of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention, formerly
the Venereal Disease Division, in 1937. It became part of the
Bureau of Communicable Disease Control in 1953. It's major purpose
was to establish strategically located clinics throughout the
Commonwealth for the express purpose of venereal disease prevention
and control. These specialized clinics, dedicated to only one
type of medical need, were established because it was recognized
that the complex social and behavioral factors linked to such
diseases were not likely to be acknowledged or well-understood
in general medical practice settings, and such factors had to
be addressed for effective disease prevention and control. In
1986, the Venereal Disease Division became the Division of STD
Prevention, to encompass more of the public health issues surrounding
this subject.
The Division of STD Prevention has as its primary goals the reduction
and prevention of the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases,
including HIV infections. Critical to achieving this goal is the
integration of the work of the Disease Intervention Specialists
(DIS), who are instrumental in preventing further transmission
of STD's and HIV infection through their client education and
partner notification activities, with a statewide network of Sexually
Transmitted Disease clinics and private providers. A variety of
population- and community-based educational activities further
enhance the efforts of the Division and the community to promote
healthful behaviors which reduce the burden of illness and prevent
the spread of these infections.
The Division of STD Prevention has five major service areas.
Clinical Services
The Division supports STD clinical services through 8 contracts..
The clinics (3 in hospitals; 3 in community health centers; one
in planned parenthood clinic; and one in the women's prison in
Framingham) are located throughout the state. The clinics offer
comprehensive STD exams and testing.
Epidemiology
The Division supports Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) services
to each and every medical provider in the State. The DIS will with
the cooperation of each patient and provider, interview each person
with syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV to see if the source of the current
infection can be identified, as well as those who may subsequently
have been exposed. These highly trained educators and counselors/epidemiologists
will then try to locate each named partner and inform them (discreetly
and anonymously) of their exposure, impress upon them the need for
an evaluation and early intervention services for a possible infection,
provide information about where such services are available, and
provide focused, risk-reduction counseling to prevent future exposures.
Surveillance
Certain STDs are reportable (by law) by the diagnosing physicians.
In addition, laboratories are responsible for reporting significant
lab findings to the Division for further evaluation.
Education
The Division develops and/or provides educational materials (films,
slides, brochures, fact sheets, etc.) for professional and public
groups. It also serves as a speakers bureau, so that any group
wishing to learn more about STDs (including HIV) can have a speaker
for that purpose.
Laboratory Services
The diagnostic and therapeutic services of the clinics are supported
by laboratory services at the State Laboratory Institute. The
State Lab also offers screening and confirmatory STD testing to
medical providers throughout the State.
The Division of STD Prevention has a trained, caring and experienced
staff and up-to-date resources for the task of preventing and controlling
STDs. The problems posed by this objective are daunting. They involve
an understanding of diverse populations and viewpoints; social behavioral
and cultural influences and patterns; and a willingness to cooperate,
collaborate, and communicate. We welcome the opportunity to become
partners with interested and concerned groups and individuals to
continue our progress toward making STDs an inconsequential problem
that affects as few people as possible.
Guidelines
Marriage Information
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News Alert
Information to all physicians
regarding the January 28, 2005 effective date of the repeal of medical certificate
requirements for marriage licenses. Please note the procedures and timelines described below.
- Medical certificates are still required for all Massachusetts
marriage licenses issued before
January 28, 2005, whether or not the marriage itself occurs
on or after that date.
- A couple who will marry on or after January 28, 2005,
but files a Notice of Intention to Marry
prior to that date, is not required to file a medical certificate,
provided that the marriage license itself
is not issued until January 28, 2005 or later.
- All couples that file a Notice of Intention to Marry
on or after January 28, 2005, no longer
must obtain a medical certificate.
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Clinical Advisories
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