[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6372512,"mediaKeyId","2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7","parentId",2147567,"title","Public health flags STI/HIV disparities and funding cliff; harm reduction program reports 40% client increase and launches new overdose response tools","audioSeconds",2741,"startMs",2032000,"endMs",4773000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7&start=2032&end=4773","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7/thumbnail_2032000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372512/Santa-Clara-County/California/Public-health-flags-STIHIV-disparities-and-funding-cliff-harm-reduction-program-reports-40-client-increase-and-launches-new-overdose-response-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372512-d844a9780139488628e2f0276c3b7352/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172821&Signature=SUTu6mxmj2Slq41pd946rzedHPuBfqTbDJXcGHv4eTKU4-46206Vny8erH~XAe~x6UP5xgiMoyYYwT3xEbSKSkpfHi7zxagfzzETzkKBnnBR3W~00tWbljJ1y~2HUzfXG~BFYRBRYfcWq1m9OWj7dPtktOPi9uiZI4JF1lmHs57Usix-K8hOXTjzEYq-bvlQqBejK2JdfPL29kNd8a1phAAaFjMQJOm53HXLQ6m~92RudQPpwCKPgP6C3ZVfB8ZIG4K6rXeRoL6nvvYe8h61JU8GaMLJiobjfQtqxhKWDZeYS5nsGazdSt5hRT5pFx-MHJxO-qEcEk02HVW0Uv-9Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Clara County CA","date","2025-01-24T16:44:46.543Z","article","Santa Clara County public health staff presented the annual epidemiology report on sexually transmitted infections and HIV and followed with an update on the county’s harm reduction program, which administrators said has expanded services and demand.

Epidemiology highlights: staff reported that chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis rates rose through 2019, fell during the COVID‑19 period primarily because testing declined, then rose again in 2021–2022. Early 2023 data show a drop in rates that mirrors statewide and national trends. New HIV diagnosis rates have remained broadly stable; however, Hispanic/Latinx residents showed persistently higher case rates and case rates among Black/African American residents were disproportionately high (some data suppressed for privacy because of small counts).

Public health used the Healthy Places Index to map resources and infection rates and said higher STI and HIV case rates correlate with census tracts that have lower access to social and economic resources. Dr. Sarah Rudman told the committee the department is prioritizing access for vulnerable and hard‑to‑reach groups and noted concern about several funding sources that are “sunsetting” or being reduced; she said the department has already scaled back some programs and is exploring reallocation of county general fund resources.

Harm reduction update: Dr. Akanksha Vaidya reported the harm reduction program served 40% more unduplicated clients in fiscal 2024 than the prior year. Staff said syringe distribution has declined since 2022 as the program expanded distribution of safer alternatives to injection; naloxone doses distributed rose 29% and fentanyl test strip distribution rose 57% from the prior year. Program staff reported 562 self‑reported overdose reversals in the last fiscal year.

The department described new initiatives funded in part by a CDC Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant and opioid settlement funds: a public website (odfreescc.org) with prevention resources and a data dashboard; post‑overdose support teams that perform outreach after nonfatal overdoses; harm‑reduction vending machines; and expanded partnerships with community clinics. Staff also described a low‑barrier medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) program that served roughly 120–150 clients per fiscal year and noted that MAT funding in the prior year was about $500,000 shared between a community medical provider and navigation services.

Budget and funding: committee members noted approximately $5,900,000 in current county general fund appropriations tied to STI programming; public health staff said much of that funding is already committed to clinic operations and to match state or federal grants, and that shifting general fund dollars risks jeopardizing other revenue. Staff said they are leveraging opioid settlement funds and exploring options but that the loss of federal and state grants poses a major risk to sustaining services.

Committee action: supervisors moved and seconded a request to bring STI program funding and potential reallocations to the county’s May budget process; the motion passed on recorded ayes from Vice Chairperson Abakoga and Chairperson Lee. The committee also voted to receive the harm reduction report. Staff will continue collaboration with behavioral health and community partners to maintain services as funding landscapes shift.

Public comment: multiple public speakers raised child abuse and screening concerns; one commenter, Ben Zee, urged immediate screenings for children he said had been abused and asked county staff to follow up. Committee members and staff identified confidentiality, mandated reporting pathways and coordination with child advocacy resources as separate processes from the STI/harm reduction items presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County of Santa Clara Health and Hospital Committee January 22, 2025 2:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Santa Clara County public health staff presented the annual epidemiology report on sexually transmitted infections and HIV and followed with an update on the county’s harm reduction program, which administrators said has expanded services and demand.","taxTitle","Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2855,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6372521,"County health officials report 23.2% conversion for colorectal screening campaign; administrators plan targeted outreach to Latino and Black residents",472,1003000,1475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7&start=1003&end=1475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7/thumbnail_1003000.jpg","/articles/6372521/Santa-Clara-County/California/County-health-officials-report-232-conversion-for-colorectal-screening-campaign-administrators-plan-targeted-outreach-to-Latino-and-Black-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372521-078ec0c311e7e4ce175c0c89039c9ef8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172821&Signature=FCq8CXYi-5Eotyvggcgcl5q8sEnw9cZZ4nKeLLz60VK1GJv3VxIuHQRPw-m35BkIDc6~Jd32Bdons6Fl~8gvVKIHWRQq~Mqh1t6vOFdpUFLzqFNTx1GlhmFORf5clgiZvAaj1vO28bMgN2DbSNkLLogXSyKibQc5xbRQAmqdVWmI2a01egCKp15wmaSttWPhWVNWOILsyDGEXvHhrF~~~6X6DCHxEExQDoK-cMWZ4w45cLDUeILXgMoZaWOzGBN5~-YCSaVtpTANVWIeWjaM42uLs8e~RL0i7nR78pXxmaMlP2M-ns9GKeNTeA7yVTV-5MQaG8YDJ5frPjRACBl4Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Santa Clara County Health & Hospital Committee received a report from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare on efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening, noting a 23.2% conversion rate from a recent EPIC campaigns module that produced more than 4,600 returned FIT (fecal immunochemical test) kits in the first three months of the effort.

Why it matters: committee members said higher screening rates reduce cancer morbidity and mortality and help address racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis and outcomes. Committee leaders asked administration to provide a six‑month update showing targeted outreach to African American and Hispanic/Latinx patients.

Dr. Dolly Goyle, chief clinical officer for population health and managed care at Valley Medical Center, summarized the system’s outreach: “Every March, to coincide with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we hold a very large educational event at the main Valley Medical Center campus … we have bilingual staff there, and we have educational materials in a variety of different languages.” She said the main campus event drew more than 300 unique visitors last year and that a new South County event at St. Louise Regional Hospital is planned for the next March to reach patients in that geography.

Nimish Shah, chief of gastroenterology in the Center for Digestive and Liver Health, and Goyle outlined how the outreach and follow up work together. Staff use EPIC to send campaign messages in patients’ preferred languages; population health coordinators call patients to verify addresses, explain test use and offer clinic drop‑off or lab drop boxes. Committee members heard there are 11 population health coordinators systemwide and that three are dedicated to colorectal cancer screening.

Committee vice chair Abakoga praised the report and asked how outreach would be concentrated in communities with higher incidence and mortality. Goyle said the system produces reports to prioritize outreach by ethnic group and partners with health plans that can offer incentives to encourage screening.

The committee approved a motion to receive the report and forward it to the full board. Vice Chairperson Abakoga and Chairperson Lee voted aye; the motion carried.

The committee asked administration to return with an update in six months focused on targeted outreach metrics for the county’s African American and Hispanic/Latinx residents.","Santa Clara County Health & Hospital Committee received a report from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare on efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening, noting a 23.2% conversion rate from a recent EPIC campaigns module that produced more than 4,600 returned FIT kits in the first three months of the effort.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6372507,"Public commenter urges county to screen children he says were abused; requester says he has reported case to child welfare",237,643000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7&start=643&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7/thumbnail_643000.jpg","/articles/6372507/Santa-Clara-County/California/Public-commenter-urges-county-to-screen-children-he-says-were-abused-requester-says-he-has-reported-case-to-child-welfare","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372507-943c863693ecef239f6cdb3132466990/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172821&Signature=VXZoyUUUzedQukTKx2AVe17Tl1U6fgGgfE0zBp5GMEzAMoi-rdvm5NfrOET8dDacKVvmFMPRWhrrz~evsyDABdOWygyKwv3NxRJ8pkVmakUTfrJXXtWWMDK~FPldvNsdu2fsm~mOlgB5HrGPVXnXWUcRM8LTeoxNoR-eU9FoV-ykVzfgc5hLMvXaPA5OIMqnMmcMyE5-4V4NkYtPjTZdyMO7mJziOM-AlPfC4KREPN52FHj3LZq-DnzDNkld8UkBAbqsSGWT5U8G2AalpiKyHpo~nzZQMaUhsEvD35TBJExQNJmMYoGNsZmmHPl91x7UoglDGQs8L-gMroqW~m7Fkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public comment period, Ben Zee addressed the Health & Hospital Committee, stating that he has been seeking county assistance to obtain medical screenings for his children after alleged abuse. Zee described behavioral and health concerns — including withdrawal, reported drug use and suicidal ideation — and said he has reported the matter to child welfare (he said DFCS) and provided contact information to county staff.

Zee urged county staff and committee members to arrange screenings and cited policies and protocols he said had been signed by county staff. He addressed his remarks to public health and child advocacy staff named during the meeting and requested follow up from specific county staff, saying, “Please, Doctor Sarah Cody, help my children get a screening … Otto Lee, he’s got all my contact information.”

Committee members and staff did not take an action on the public comment during the meeting. The transcript records that Zee said he had made a report to child welfare and asked county staff to follow up; the committee later proceeded to agenda items. The committee and staff discussed mandated reporting pathways and child advocacy resources in later items, but no committee motion regarding the public comment was recorded on the transcript.

Because these are allegations reported by a public commenter, the committee record attributes the statements to Ben Zee; the county’s procedural and legal processes for child protection and mandated reporting were referenced but not altered on the record during this meeting.","At the opening public comment period, a member of the public, Ben Zee, addressed the committee with allegations that his children were sexually abused and requested county‑arranged medical screenings; he identified specific people and asked staff he named to follow up. No committee action was taken during the meeting; staff and supervisors noted",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6372517,"Health system says Regional Medical Center integration will reuse enterprise contracts; procurement resources reprioritized",598,1459000,2057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7&start=1459&end=2057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147567-402de072ca8e45a3203e973b9ebb48d7/thumbnail_1459000.jpg","/articles/6372517/Santa-Clara-County/California/Health-system-says-Regional-Medical-Center-integration-will-reuse-enterprise-contracts-procurement-resources-reprioritized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372517-99da5c52a101e2ecbfd3207cf88668fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172821&Signature=Q0FGwkdN7FpXXRzvqc1VtiZgAqYb7KS4ydr9up1PvIuLLQXVa1Vswc~aicfbQ9PJTmKiS6IwzZGlW7o3fTQqCpYQbL4mJxYqORfyKtebULVYKI2FqOBKmT3RDMa7Ay1lqWlUwHwOgCBfaa2FwEjFh2EDrXqmMZuD3mv5rdRkoPRz1HVw~FN32~KskDghia1~x2lQ2qhr0iAky~TxaE3QSinPVtV-hjqInQoQykNQmlBespDaLg-wUw0GqnWfZnbzPxoDnRcMdjozWNTDhR3q4XwxCKfPnX-UvCRYLyZD~G~H-V5AwLn0aR9CYdJNKkaAqGXgbJqg1tSLg3JmIQQwLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Clara County Health & Hospital Committee received a quarterly update on contracts and operational steps for the county’s planned integration of Regional Medical Center into Valley Medical Center operations. Health system staff said most vendor arrangements will be implemented by amending existing enterprise contracts rather than creating new, standalone contracts, and that they see no current indication of cost overruns relative to overall appropriations.

Paul Lorenz, presenting for the health system, said the team is “making amendments to our existing contracts as we begin to operationalize Regional Medical Center.” James Williams (county executive staff) described one data display as misleading and said the MFO allocation column will be removed from future reports because enterprise contracts are managed systemwide.

Committee members asked about procurement and staffing. Staff said procurement, TSS and other central departments have shifted priorities and resources to support the acquisition; departments expect delays in other work while the integration is prioritized. Staff also noted that some maintenance contracts will remain separate until equipment reaches end of life.

Officials reported more than 900 applications from existing Regional Medical Center staff during the recent hiring window; employment services is processing offers ahead of the planned April 1 operational date.

The committee approved a motion to receive the contracts report and requested more frequent updates while integration progresses. Vice Chairperson Abakoga and Chairperson Lee voted aye; the motion carried.","Santa Clara Valley Healthcare reported that most work to operationalize Regional Medical Center uses amendments to existing system contracts rather than assuming separate new contracts; staff said no current indication of cost overruns and that procurement departments have shifted resources to support the integration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public health flags STI/HIV disparities and funding cliff; harm reduction program reports 40% client increase and launches new overdose response tools

County health officials report 23.2% conversion for colorectal screening campaign; administrators plan targeted outreach to Latino and Black residents

Public commenter urges county to screen children he says were abused; requester says he has reported case to child welfare

Health system says Regional Medical Center integration will reuse enterprise contracts; procurement resources reprioritized