WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is receiving a $1 million grant to strengthen prevention and control measures for sexually transmitted diseases. The funding is part of a multi-year project, sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to prevent and control three major STDs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

“Strong public health is essential to ensuring that Maine people can live happy, healthy lives,” said Collins and King in a joint statement. “This crucial funding will help healthcare providers manage common sexually-transmitted diseases in order to protect Maine communities from widespread outbreaks. This project is a straightforward public health initiative that will provide the people of Maine with access to the best resources and care possible.”

Prevention measures expanded by these funds include practices such as better testing, contact tracing, and disease monitoring. The priority strategies for controlling these diseases include identification and surveillance, response to outbreaks, promotion of screening and diagnostics, community education, and data collection for increased program insights and improvements.

The funding is provided through the CDC’s Strengthening STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments (STD PCHD).