1. A Conference Designathon to Spark Innovation: Actionable Ideas to Enhance Sexually Transmitted Disease Control.
- Author
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Tucker JD, Chikwari CD, Tang W, Jarolimova J, Gravett R, Goense CJD, Matoga MM, Tan RKJ, Niaupari S, Morroni C, and Van Der Pol B
- Subjects
- Humans, Public Health, Congresses as Topic, Social Stigma, Male, Female, Sexually Transmitted Diseases prevention & control
- Abstract
Background: Designathons can be used to enhance public health training and spur innovation. A designathon is a 3-stage participatory activity that includes preparation, intensive collaboration, and follow-up activities. We organized a designathon focused on developing actionable sexually transmitted disease (STD) control strategies and examined the content of ideas resulting from an STD designathon., Methods: For this designathon, we created four groups: early career researchers, silver group (people with >10 years of experience), travelers (people from low- and middle-income countries and those who received a conference scholarship) and a community group. Each group developed its own plan to consult members, iteratively develop ideas, and aggregate insights. Each group developed STD control strategies that were presented. Cross-cutting themes across these ideas were identified., Results: Designathon participants included a subset of conference participants. Cross-cutting themes from final ideas included cocreating STD interventions with end-users, using sex-positive framing, enhancing open access digital STD resources, and reducing STD stigma. Early career researchers presented a call for community ideas focusing on ending STD epidemics by increasing accessibility to STD care services among all populations. The silver group proposed digital innovations, including an AI-powered tool for testing and treatment and a social game to promote sex positivity. The traveler group conceptualized an information hub to support implementation of STD programs. Community members underscored the importance of a more human-centered approach to STD control, which reduces stigma and normalizes sex and sexual pleasure., Conclusion: Sex positive campaigns and open access digital resources should be considered within STD programs. Implementation research studies are needed to evaluate these ideas., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: J.D.T. received support from NIAID K24AI143471 and R.G. received money from NIMH K23MH126794. For the remaining authors none were declared., (Copyright © 2024 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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