Skip to main content
GrantsPathGrantsPath
Log InSign Up

Policy Watchtower/Program change

IHS updates syphilis testing and treatment guidance for I/T/U facilities

Health and Human ServicesProgram changeAug 19, 2026

Check: The Indian Health Service (IHS) has updated its syphilis testing, treatment, and prevention recommendations for tribal, urban Indian, and IHS-operated (I/T/U) facilities, and asks leaders to distribute them.

Read the original

What it does

Tribal governments and urban Indian organizations that run or oversee I/T/U health facilities are the audience for this letter. The recommendations 'remain in effect and have been updated to include additional considerations,' so facility clinical and public health programs should review the enclosed IHS Recommended Guidelines for Syphilis Testing, Treatment, and Prevention and the IHS STI Resources.

Why it matters for tribal funding

Consultation. A federal agency is asking tribal governments for their views before it decides ().

Who it covers: Tribal governments, Urban Indian organizations.

What to do next

  1. Share the enclosed IHS Recommended Guidelines for Syphilis Testing, Treatment, and Prevention and IHS Sexually Transmitted Infection Resources with clinical, pharmacy, and public health nursing staff.
  2. Direct questions to Rick Haverkate, Branch Chief, HIV/HCV/STI, at richard.haverkate@ihs.gov.

Sources

Every signal is built from public records. The highlighted words appear in the source exactly as shown.

  • Indian Health Service: Dear Tribal Leader Lettersdear_tribal_leader_letterAug 19, 2026

    The IHS Chief Medical Officer writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share updates and resources that you may find useful in combatting the syphilis epidemic within American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

    • Quoted from the source: “Based on feedback from clinicians, public health nurses, and administration, the following recommendations remain in effect”
    • Quoted from the source: “Recent IHS data shows that syphilis screening in IHS facilities increa”
    • Quoted from the source: “Please distribute these resources widely.”
    Read the originalU.S. government record, public domain.

Terms with a dotted underline open a plain-language definition. This is guidance, not legal advice: the official text always controls. A free public service from GrantsPath, a Native-owned business.