NCSD Commends Congress for Increasing STD Funding in Final FY22 Appropriations

Congress also increases funding for Ending HIV and Adolescent Health

For Immediate Release: March 10, 2022
Contact: Kathleen Jeanty, [email protected], 617-610-5424

Washington, DC – The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is pleased to see that the final Labor, Health, and Human Services fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations bill includes increased funding to fight sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). With STD rates continuing to explode and reach all-time highs—a situation made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic—state, territorial, and local jurisdictions need this funding now more than ever to combat STD epidemics.

In addition to providing a $2.5 million increase for STDs at CDC, the final bill prioritizes adolescent sexual health with a $2 million increase to CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health and a $20 million increase to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative at CDC.

“This is very encouraging news,” says David C. Harvey, NCSD’s executive director. “While we had hoped for the increase included in the House and Senate bills, we understand that top-line budget pressures meant smaller increases in many programs. We thank Congress for these increases and will be working toward higher increases in FY23!”

COVID-19 dramatically affected the fight against STDs—disrupting care, treatment, and contact tracing. Addressing these disruptions will require additional increases in resources for STD prevention, care, and treatment.

For additional information, the full final FY22 appropriations bill report can be found here, and a funding chart can be found here.

About The National Coalition of STD Directors

The National Coalition of STD Directors is a national public health membership organization representing health department STD directors, their support staff, and community-based partners across 50 states, seven large cities, and eight U.S. territories. Our mission is to advance effective STD prevention programs and services across the country. NCSD does this as the voice of our membership. We provide leadership, build capacity, convene partners, and advocate.