CHLAMYDIA: CHCF, State Unveil Action Agenda

      The California HealthCare Foundation and state health officials yesterday introduced the Chlamydia Action Agenda, a five-year strategy to reduce the incidence of chlamydia -- the state's number one communicable disease and its leading preventable cause of infertility. "Chlamydia is a curable disease. By implementing the steps outlined in this agenda, we have the opportunity to control an epidemic that is quietly threatening the reproductive health of thousands of women and men statewide," said CHCF CEO Mark Smith. The agenda, which was developed in conjunction with the state Department of Health Services, seeks to increase screening, partner treatment and public awareness of the disease. In addition, the agenda calls for better information systems to monitor and evaluate chlamydia. In California, women account for almost 80% of all chlamydia cases, with 38% of the cases among 15- to 19-year-old girls and 32% among 20- to 24-year-old women. The Coalition for Chlamydia Control in California will work with local health departments, HMOs, health care providers and community-based organizations to implement the plan and will help develop legislation and funding sources for combating the disease statewide. For more information, call CHCF at 510-238-1040 or visit its Web site at www.chcf.org (CHCF release, 3/11).