Background: The analysis and interpretation of STD surveillance data allow state and local STD programs to understand disease transmission in the communities they serve. Such an understanding can identify vulnerable populations and high risk behaviors, giving public health officials information that enables more effective allocation of resources to maximize the impact of program activities. However, useful analysis of STD surveillance data can be impeded by a lack of experience in effectively performing data analyses. A resource that provides examples of useful and practical analysis strategies, here called an Epi Profile, could enable more sites to effectively analyze their data, empowering them to address racial disparities, and would provide standardized data that would be comparable across sites.

Purpose: To explore innovative strategies for the analysis of STD surveillance data that produces information that can be used to inform STD program activities at state and local departments of health

Methods (instructional approach): In an interactive forum, presenters will provide a background overview of the usefulness of having a resource document such as an Epi Profile. Presenters will lead with providing real examples of how data have been analyzed in the form of figures, tables, and maps to summarize and characterize disease transmission within different communities in the United States. Discussion will center around examples of analyses that are practical and that produce data that can be used to guide program activities. Presenters will describe the resources necessary for performing such analyses and will share experiences of how these analyses have been used to guide activities in programs in different parts of the United States.