Petrelis Files

No DPH Forum on Falling Gay STDs,
Appeal to Politicians for a Hearing

Supervisor Tom Ammiano
Supervisor Bevan Dufty
Assemblymember Mark Leno

Dear Supervisors Ammiano and Dufty, and Assemblymember Leno,

As you may know, the SF Department of Public Health recently reported that sexually transmitted diseases in the gay male community are dramatically declining, as are meth-related ER visits. Those declines come at a time when the city's gay HIV infection rate is certainly endemic and possibly going down. I think we can all agree the falling figures are welcome developments for overall gay health.

But despite the good gay health news, DPH has informed me they have no plans to hold public forums about the STD rates falling by double-digits. I believe such forums should take place to examine why the rates are dropping, congratulate gay men for bringing the declines about, and propose ways to keep the numbers going down.

In the course of 25-plus years of the AIDS crisis here, DPH has seized upon every increase in HIV or any STD, or signs meth abuse is rising, or indications safe sex practices are not effective at preventing infections, to issue alarming press releases and generate front-page news.

Of course, when the numbers are climbing, DPH pulls out all the stops to discuss the problem. Town hall meetings are held, full-page ads appear in the gay press, and the community is encouraged to speak with DPH and address the surging numbers.

But when there are several positive developments in the control of STDs and HIV, and an important meth-abuse indicator is plummeting, the gay community receives the silent treatment from DPH.

I am asking each of you to organize a joint local/state government hearing about the declines, with DPH HIV and STD prevention experts invited to testify, for several purposes.

First, to educate the gay community about the lowered infection rate. Second, to hear reasons why the rates are dropping. Are the declines due to effective social marketing, expanding testing, safer sex practices?

Third, we need a forum to offer much-needed positive reinforcement of the factors in the gay community responsible for the declines.

If I may digress for a moment, I'd like to raise the rhetorical question of what would Harvey Milk do about this situation? With the filming of "Milk" taking place on our streets and at City Hall, I've wondered if Harvey Milk would be satisfied with DPH's unwillingness to engage the community on significant and welcome developments regarding gay health.

Would he accept no public forums? Work to overcome DPH's business as usual complacency? I'd like to think he would use his position and clout to shine some light on the falling numbers.

Below is the email from DPH stating it will not be holding any forums on the drops.

I hope you all will help end DPH's silence on the decreasing STDs, HIV and meth-related ER visits.

Best regards,
Michael

02/27/2008

Eileen Shields

SF DPH

Dear Ms. Shields,

The DPH preliminary STD stats for 2007 show remarkable declines, reported
in the January monthly STD report.

I have blogged about the falling STD numbers and the DPH monthly report on
my site.

My question for DPH is, will the STD branch or any part of DPH hold public
forums with the gay community about the declining infections rates, why the
fall is happening, and how to keep the numbers going down?

A reply is requested.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis

03/04/2008

There are currently no plans to hold public forums on the topic you have
identified. If and when that changes, we will disseminate this information
widely.

Eileen Shields
Public Information Officer
San Francisco Department of Public Health