PARTNER FORUM Featured Partner

The CDC NPIN Featured Partner resource offers HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and TB prevention-focused organizations a platform to showcase their services, programs, and materials. Our goal is to highlight the work of CDC's prevention partners and encourage partners to connect with each other to share information and strategies. Organizations are nominated by CDC or their peers, or are self-nominated. Those selected are featured on the NPIN Web site for the month.

The California Tuberculosis Controllers Association (CTCA) is one of the largest and most active TB controllers associations in the United States. TB controllers are physicians or other health workers at city and county health departments who are responsible for the prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB). Under the direction of the local health officer, TB controllers supervise public as well as private TB care in their jurisdiction, ensure access to TB treatment, and enforce public health laws and standards related to TB.

CTCA membership also includes doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals from both the private and public sectors throughout California. The group works closely with pulmonary and infectious disease specialists as well as the American Lung Association, the California Department of Public Health, the American Thoracic Society, and similar organizations. In this time of economic crisis and diminishing resources, CTCA continually seek alliances with all individuals and groups interested in TB control.

CTCA holds an annual educational conference. This year′s will be in Long Beach, California on May 5-6, 2010. CTCA′s partner in TB control, The Curry International TB Center, will conduct a half day of TB training on May 7th.

This year′s conference will focus on TB comorbidities and the importance of working effectively with private medical care providers to manage TB in the context of other risk factors and diseases. It is increasingly important for public health and the private sector to cooperate in managing TB patients with diabetes and other comorbid conditions and CTCA′s conference will be an important step in that direction. CTCA is making a special effort to attract community physicians.

The CTCA Annual Business Meeting on May 5 is open to everyone. Participants will hear updates on TB policies, funding issues, and advocacy activities. TB controllers will have an opportunity to network with colleagues and vote on guidelines and other issues of critical importance to local TB programs. The popular radiograph case presentations will also be held later that day.

On May 6, conference attendees will hear outstanding presentations from experts in both TB and in the management of TB comorbidities, and breakout sessions will allow ample opportunity for questions and interaction with faculty. A special breakout session will include private providers and focus on public-private partnerships.

CTCA′s Web site includes a number of useful resources:

Contact the NPIN Outreach Team for more information on Featured Partner nominations – npinoutreach@cdcnpin.org