Alison Footman PhD, MPH
@alisonfootman.bsky.social
STI research and advocacy | Dog mom | Southerner
Excited to share our new article in STI “‘Self-testing’ vs ‘self-collection’: The critical role of consistent language in STI diagnostics.”
✨ Inconsistent terms create confusing across research, policy, & programs
✨Words shape how people access care
Read more at sti.bmj.com/content/earl...
✨ Inconsistent terms create confusing across research, policy, & programs
✨Words shape how people access care
Read more at sti.bmj.com/content/earl...
‘Self-testing’ versus ‘self-collection’: the critical role of consistent language in the field of STI diagnostics
Self-collection of specimens and self-testing for the detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important tools that play a vital role in the prevention, detection and treatment of these...
sti.bmj.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Excited to share our new article in STI “‘Self-testing’ vs ‘self-collection’: The critical role of consistent language in STI diagnostics.”
✨ Inconsistent terms create confusing across research, policy, & programs
✨Words shape how people access care
Read more at sti.bmj.com/content/earl...
✨ Inconsistent terms create confusing across research, policy, & programs
✨Words shape how people access care
Read more at sti.bmj.com/content/earl...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
Our #STI civil society partners in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda & Zimbabwe are helping to reshape the STI R&D and diagnostics agenda in East and Southern Africa.
🔗 Read how ➡️ www.stiwatch.org/moving-the-s...
#STIAdvocacy #STIWatch #HIVprevention #GlobalHealth
🔗 Read how ➡️ www.stiwatch.org/moving-the-s...
#STIAdvocacy #STIWatch #HIVprevention #GlobalHealth
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Our #STI civil society partners in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda & Zimbabwe are helping to reshape the STI R&D and diagnostics agenda in East and Southern Africa.
🔗 Read how ➡️ www.stiwatch.org/moving-the-s...
#STIAdvocacy #STIWatch #HIVprevention #GlobalHealth
🔗 Read how ➡️ www.stiwatch.org/moving-the-s...
#STIAdvocacy #STIWatch #HIVprevention #GlobalHealth
About two weeks away from this webinar focused on highlighting presenters who could not attend the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress due to financial and political barriers. Register at www.stiwatch.org/event/beyond...
Join us, @iusti-europe.bsky.social, #ISTDR, @stihiv2025.org October 29 for a webinar on the latest in #STI R&D from voices you have not yet heard!
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/events-webin...
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/events-webin...
October 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
About two weeks away from this webinar focused on highlighting presenters who could not attend the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress due to financial and political barriers. Register at www.stiwatch.org/event/beyond...
There is a chlamydia vaccine for Koala's!!!! I think we can all retire knowing the future is bright because at least the Koala's have a chlamydia vaccine. doi.org/10.1002%2Fve...
Protecting koalas from chlamydial disease
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doi.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
There is a chlamydia vaccine for Koala's!!!! I think we can all retire knowing the future is bright because at least the Koala's have a chlamydia vaccine. doi.org/10.1002%2Fve...
Check out the newest STIWatch Newsletter!
The latest #STIWatch newsletter is live!
✔️ Highlights from the STI & #HIV World Congress
✔️ What US research defunding means for #STIs
✔️ New WHO STI guidelines
✔️ Q&A with AVAC’s Alison Footman
✔️ New blog from global partners on advocacy priorities
📰 Read more: tinyurl.com/STIwatch
✔️ Highlights from the STI & #HIV World Congress
✔️ What US research defunding means for #STIs
✔️ New WHO STI guidelines
✔️ Q&A with AVAC’s Alison Footman
✔️ New blog from global partners on advocacy priorities
📰 Read more: tinyurl.com/STIwatch
September 23, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Check out the newest STIWatch Newsletter!
A reminder that you have till Friday to sign up as a speaker for this webinar! All are welcome and I am excited to hear about your work! #STIHIV25
@stihiv2025.org @avac.org #IUSTI & #ISSTDR are hosting a webinar focused on highlighting speakers and research that were not presented during the #STIHIV25 congress because of financial or political barriers. If you are interested in presenting please complete this form tinyurl.com/STIHIV25
September 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A reminder that you have till Friday to sign up as a speaker for this webinar! All are welcome and I am excited to hear about your work! #STIHIV25
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
This piece by @alisonfootman.bsky.social really nicely (and depressingly) encapsulates the real-world effect of the ongoing chaos in sexual health funding. HIV intersects heavily with STIs, so even as we worry about HIV funding cliffs in the U.S., we've got other fronts we need to fight on as well.
Read AVAC’s @alisonfootman.bsky.social on the devastating impact of funding cuts on #STI research. Leading researchers warn of shuttered studies, lost talent & setbacks for urgently needed innovation.
Read ➡️ www.thebodypro.com/sexually-tra...
@myhelfy.bsky.social #HIV
Read ➡️ www.thebodypro.com/sexually-tra...
@myhelfy.bsky.social #HIV
The Real-World Impact of Defunding STI Research
Seven researchers from leading institutions have written letters to document the impact the U.S. funding cuts have had on their research, their institutions, and the people who would benefit from this...
www.thebodypro.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This piece by @alisonfootman.bsky.social really nicely (and depressingly) encapsulates the real-world effect of the ongoing chaos in sexual health funding. HIV intersects heavily with STIs, so even as we worry about HIV funding cliffs in the U.S., we've got other fronts we need to fight on as well.
@stihiv2025.org @avac.org #IUSTI & #ISSTDR are hosting a webinar focused on highlighting speakers and research that were not presented during the #STIHIV25 congress because of financial or political barriers. If you are interested in presenting please complete this form tinyurl.com/STIHIV25
September 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
@stihiv2025.org @avac.org #IUSTI & #ISSTDR are hosting a webinar focused on highlighting speakers and research that were not presented during the #STIHIV25 congress because of financial or political barriers. If you are interested in presenting please complete this form tinyurl.com/STIHIV25
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
The #STIHIV2025 congress kicks off in Montréal this weekend. AVAC is tracking key sessions, strategies, and advocacy needed to confront rising infections and shrinking budgets. Follow along with our latest #STIWatch preview. #IUSTI2025 #STIadvocacy #GlobalHealth
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/whats-next-f...
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/whats-next-f...
July 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The #STIHIV2025 congress kicks off in Montréal this weekend. AVAC is tracking key sessions, strategies, and advocacy needed to confront rising infections and shrinking budgets. Follow along with our latest #STIWatch preview. #IUSTI2025 #STIadvocacy #GlobalHealth
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/whats-next-f...
🔗 www.stiwatch.org/whats-next-f...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
If you are an early career research attending @stihiv2025.org and interested in learning more about data visualization in R, @odileharrison.bsky.social , Sim Dabee, and I are organizing a workshop during the conference (11:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday). Register here: forms.gle/e4UL1NG62PUD...
ECR Data Visualisation Workshop
Please complete this application to attend the Data Viz workshop. This event will be held at the 2025 STI & HIV World Congress in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, July 30th from 11:30-13:30.
Effective...
forms.gle
June 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
If you are an early career research attending @stihiv2025.org and interested in learning more about data visualization in R, @odileharrison.bsky.social , Sim Dabee, and I are organizing a workshop during the conference (11:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday). Register here: forms.gle/e4UL1NG62PUD...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
Congratulations to the New Zealand Herpes Foundation on winning a prize for their excellent campaign to destigmatize herpes. 👏
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
New Zealand ad campaign to make country ‘best place in the world to have herpes’ wins top prize at Cannes Lions
Retro-style tourism video fronted by a former All Blacks coach won the Cannes Lions grand prix for good award
www.theguardian.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Congratulations to the New Zealand Herpes Foundation on winning a prize for their excellent campaign to destigmatize herpes. 👏
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
You can still register for this exciting webinar that is just TWO weeks away and co-hosted by @ashasexualhealth.bsky.social and @avac.org. Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
June 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
You can still register for this exciting webinar that is just TWO weeks away and co-hosted by @ashasexualhealth.bsky.social and @avac.org. Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
Good news in the fight against #STIs: England is rolling out the world’s first #gonorrhea vaccine—the #4CMenB meningococcal vax, found to offer protection against gonorrhea too.
Learn more: www.stiwatch.org/gonorrhea
#STIWatch
bbc.com/news/article...
Learn more: www.stiwatch.org/gonorrhea
#STIWatch
bbc.com/news/article...
Gonorrhoea vaccine to be rolled out in England from August
The treatment will be offered to those most at risk from August after a record number of cases.
bbc.com
May 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Good news in the fight against #STIs: England is rolling out the world’s first #gonorrhea vaccine—the #4CMenB meningococcal vax, found to offer protection against gonorrhea too.
Learn more: www.stiwatch.org/gonorrhea
#STIWatch
bbc.com/news/article...
Learn more: www.stiwatch.org/gonorrhea
#STIWatch
bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
#WHO is developing global guidance on DoxyPEP for #STI prevention and they want to hear from you!
🗣️ Submit your input by May 31: extranet.who.int/dataformv6/i....
Learn more about #DoxyPEP for STI prevention, www.stiwatch.org/prevention.
🗣️ Submit your input by May 31: extranet.who.int/dataformv6/i....
Learn more about #DoxyPEP for STI prevention, www.stiwatch.org/prevention.
May 14, 2025 at 4:23 PM
#WHO is developing global guidance on DoxyPEP for #STI prevention and they want to hear from you!
🗣️ Submit your input by May 31: extranet.who.int/dataformv6/i....
Learn more about #DoxyPEP for STI prevention, www.stiwatch.org/prevention.
🗣️ Submit your input by May 31: extranet.who.int/dataformv6/i....
Learn more about #DoxyPEP for STI prevention, www.stiwatch.org/prevention.
✨ @avac.org's brief on the global impact of US funding cuts to the STI field was just released! STI research and prevention efforts are being severely compromised during this new administration. www.stiwatch.org/worldwide-pr...
May 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
✨ @avac.org's brief on the global impact of US funding cuts to the STI field was just released! STI research and prevention efforts are being severely compromised during this new administration. www.stiwatch.org/worldwide-pr...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
Submit your papers on #STI point-of-care testing now! Deadline 31st August. sti.bmj.com/pages/topic-...
Instructions for authors: sti.bmj.com/pages/authors
@bmj.com
@bashhuk.bsky.social
@stirig-lshtm.bsky.social
Instructions for authors: sti.bmj.com/pages/authors
@bmj.com
@bashhuk.bsky.social
@stirig-lshtm.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
Wisconsin has seen a 1,450% increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2019, the state's Dept of Health Services reports.
This at a time when the country's premier #STD lab has been shuttered in the devastating cuts at #CDC.
What could possibly go wrong? www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
This at a time when the country's premier #STD lab has been shuttered in the devastating cuts at #CDC.
What could possibly go wrong? www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
April 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Wisconsin has seen a 1,450% increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2019, the state's Dept of Health Services reports.
This at a time when the country's premier #STD lab has been shuttered in the devastating cuts at #CDC.
What could possibly go wrong? www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
This at a time when the country's premier #STD lab has been shuttered in the devastating cuts at #CDC.
What could possibly go wrong? www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
As we close the first quarter of 2025, AVAC is tracking a handful of issues likely to shape the #STI landscape this year. Here are highlights, trends to watch, and valuable resources to support advocacy.
Read the latest issue of our STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter! www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...
Read the latest issue of our STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter! www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...
April 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
As we close the first quarter of 2025, AVAC is tracking a handful of issues likely to shape the #STI landscape this year. Here are highlights, trends to watch, and valuable resources to support advocacy.
Read the latest issue of our STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter! www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...
Read the latest issue of our STIWatch Quarterly Newsletter! www.stiwatch.org/stiwatch-qua...
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
It’s #STI Awareness Week! 🧬 From new self-tests to promising vaccine research, there's momentum—but also real threats from funding cuts and agency rollbacks. Stay informed.
🔗 STIwatch.org
#STIAwarenessWeek #STIWatch #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
🔗 STIwatch.org
#STIAwarenessWeek #STIWatch #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
STI Watch
And better, faster, less expensive testing tools to reduce the toll of STIs.
STIwatch.org
April 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM
It’s #STI Awareness Week! 🧬 From new self-tests to promising vaccine research, there's momentum—but also real threats from funding cuts and agency rollbacks. Stay informed.
🔗 STIwatch.org
#STIAwarenessWeek #STIWatch #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
🔗 STIwatch.org
#STIAwarenessWeek #STIWatch #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
The elimination of the CDC National STD Reference Laboratory has been horrific. We have lost the ability to monitor antimicrobial resistance for gonorrhea, which has become hesitant to nearly all treatment options. We need this lab to keep America healthy.
www.change.org/p/protect-th...
www.change.org/p/protect-th...
Sign the Petition
Protect the CDC's National STD Reference Laboratory
www.change.org
April 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The elimination of the CDC National STD Reference Laboratory has been horrific. We have lost the ability to monitor antimicrobial resistance for gonorrhea, which has become hesitant to nearly all treatment options. We need this lab to keep America healthy.
www.change.org/p/protect-th...
www.change.org/p/protect-th...
This week @hivpxresearch.bsky.social released the first STIWatch newsletter of the year. Times right now are frightful and the STI field is seeing a lot of great movement, with the FDA marketing approval for the first STI self-test for women and much more!
April 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
This week @hivpxresearch.bsky.social released the first STIWatch newsletter of the year. Times right now are frightful and the STI field is seeing a lot of great movement, with the FDA marketing approval for the first STI self-test for women and much more!
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
BIG news for #STI detection and prevention, www.fda.gov/news-events/.... #FDA gave marketing approval for the FIRST self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, & trichomoniasis paving the way for other diagnostics. Visit www.stiwatch.org to learn more about diagnostics other prevention strategies.
FDA Grants Marketing Authorization of First Home Test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis
The FDA granted marketing authorization of the first at home diagnostic test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
www.fda.gov
March 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
BIG news for #STI detection and prevention, www.fda.gov/news-events/.... #FDA gave marketing approval for the FIRST self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, & trichomoniasis paving the way for other diagnostics. Visit www.stiwatch.org to learn more about diagnostics other prevention strategies.
ASTDA and IUSTI Canada are hosting an early career development symposium during the @stihiv2025.org
World Congress. Apply by April 15th at tinyurl.com/ASTDACanada as 40 spaces are available. This session primarily for those living in North America.
World Congress. Apply by April 15th at tinyurl.com/ASTDACanada as 40 spaces are available. This session primarily for those living in North America.
March 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
ASTDA and IUSTI Canada are hosting an early career development symposium during the @stihiv2025.org
World Congress. Apply by April 15th at tinyurl.com/ASTDACanada as 40 spaces are available. This session primarily for those living in North America.
World Congress. Apply by April 15th at tinyurl.com/ASTDACanada as 40 spaces are available. This session primarily for those living in North America.
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
New #DoxyPEP research using gonorrhea surveillance data shows increased #AMR resistance in gonorrhea and other bacteria. This crucial data—and the research it enables—is at risk under the new administration’s cuts to #CDC & #STI funding. More here: www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobia....
DoxyPEP study shows an increase of resistance in targeted and 'bystander' bacteria
www.cidrap.umn.edu
March 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
New #DoxyPEP research using gonorrhea surveillance data shows increased #AMR resistance in gonorrhea and other bacteria. This crucial data—and the research it enables—is at risk under the new administration’s cuts to #CDC & #STI funding. More here: www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobia....
Reposted by Alison Footman PhD, MPH
As we close #CervicalCancer Awareness Month, check out a series of conversations we hosted last year alongside partners and experts in the field discussing treatment and prevention and hear directly from advocates and survivors. Watch the full recordings here! 📽️ stiwatch.org/cervical-cancer-series
January 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
As we close #CervicalCancer Awareness Month, check out a series of conversations we hosted last year alongside partners and experts in the field discussing treatment and prevention and hear directly from advocates and survivors. Watch the full recordings here! 📽️ stiwatch.org/cervical-cancer-series