Bureau of Communicable Disease

Several factors influence the need for improved collaborative work and integration of prevention and disease control services among HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and tuberculosis (TB) programs.  Among these are the interactions between concurrent infections, risk behaviors, and the cumulative effects of multiple communicable diseases, especially on health inequities affecting at-risk populations.  The net impact of this interaction is the excess morbidity and mortality experienced currently by affected populations and individuals.  HIV and other STDs, viral hepatitis, and TB remain among the leading causes of morbidity and death in Florida as in the United States and account for substantial healthcare spending in both the public and private sector.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Program

• Provides comprehensive programs for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis surveillance, education, prevention, early intervention, counseling, testing, and HIV/AIDS care and treatment.  Provides vaccination for hepatitis A and B.
• Provides and promotes patient care services through county health departments, local clinics, and community-based organizations.
• Implements the Ryan White CARE Act Consortia, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), AIDS Insurance Continuation Program (AICP), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.
• Oversees public health HIV counseling, testing, and partner referral services, and conducts epidemiologic research. 
• Allocates prevention, surveillance, and patient care resources statewide.
• Oversees Hepatitis Prevention Program.
• Statewide media campaigns, pamphlets, posters, brochures, and education videos.

Immunization Program

• Works to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from diseases that are preventable through immunizations.
• Provides vaccines at no cost for eligible children.
• Monitors vaccine safety and evaluates reports of adverse events.
• Monitors vaccine storage and handling to assure efficacy of vaccine.
• Assesses immunization levels in Florida's residents, and provides information and education about immunizations to the public.
• Assures documentation of all immunizations in Florida SHOTS (State Health Online Tracking System).

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program

• Monitors, investigates, and reports sexually transmitted conditions of public health importance.
• Provides prevention education, reporting requirements, clinical and operational training to professionals statewide, and enhance public awareness of STDs.
• Assure Partner Services for persons infected with or exposed to STDs, including HIV.
• Coordinate outbreak response, support targeted outreach to disproportionately affected populations, and coordinate with partners to reduce Florida's STD burden.
• Assure counseling, treatment, testing, and referrals for sexual partners of confirmed cases.

Tuberculosis (TB) Program

• Provides leadership, policy development, and technical assistance for the control and prevention of TB. 
• Supports the provision of comprehensive TB services to persons with active TB disease, contacts, and persons at high risk with latent TB infection (LTBI).
• Identify, track, and notify county health departments (CHDs) of refugees and immigrants who arrive in Florida with a Class A or B TB condition.
• Follow up on individuals who have been exposed to TB long-distance airline flights through the Epi-X notification system.