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Erica Bostick, MD is joined by guest speaker Susan Wiener, MD, MPH for this episode of “Conversations with CEI.” Dr. Susan Wiener is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the University of Rochester. She is a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. Her clinical expertise includes sexual/reproductive healthcare and caring for adolescents with eating disorders. Dr. Wiener is passionate about reducing adolescents’ barriers to receiving the care that they need, empowering young people to make decisions about their own health and promoting health equity. Her research interests include sexual health education and person-centered counseling skills. Listen as they discuss person-centered contraceptive counseling, how stereotypes and other biases may get in the way (and mitigation strategies) and how to adapt your current contraceptive counseling practice to be patient-centered.  Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 ceitraining.org American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Academy of Pediatrics Ross LJ, Solinger R. Solinger R, Bridges KM, Luna Z, Tapia R. Reproductive justice: an introduction. Oakland: University of California Press; 2017 https://www.sistersong.net/statements/2025/8/14/long-acting-reversible-contraceptionstatement-of-principles https://picck.org/ Bryson, Amandaa,b; Koyama, Atsukoc,∗; Hassan, Areeja,b,∗. Addressing long-acting reversible contraception access, bias, and coercion: supporting adolescent and young adult reproductive autonomy. Current Opinion in Pediatrics 33(4):p 345-353, August 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001008

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic versions of testosterone, and like naturally produced testosterone, they can increase male sex characteristics and help build muscle. They are prescribed for low testosterone, delayed puberty and muscle loss from severe illness, among other things. But AAS are also used regularly – particularly among gay, bisexual and queer men – without a prescription to gain muscle and improve physical appearance. The health impact of use varies from injection-site infection to sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure, and many people who use AAS have developed creative ways to mitigate risk. Today’s episode will introduce AAS as performance enhancing drugs and provide harm reduction strategies that clinicians can employ to mitigate risks associated with their use. Related content:  Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene RE, Kladney M. Exploring Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2411088. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11088. Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene R, Kladney M. Exploring Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Use Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2025 Feb 1;267:112112. Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene RE, Kladney M. Harm Reduction Techniques among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Qualitative Study. Harm Reduction Journal. 2024;21:196. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01121-8. Kutscher E, Silverman E, Bachi K. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Emerging Use Disorder, Mechanisms of Action, and Clinical Considerations for Pharmacotherapy. Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2026 Spring;24(2):168-178. doi: 10.1176/appi.focus.20250045. Clinical decision tool for providers and patients: https://aas-87py.onrender.com/#/providers/ CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, was held on July 26-31 in Rio. In this episode, Dr. Antonio E. Urbina, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, summarizes the clinical highlights from AIDS 2026, focusing on new HIV treatments and prevention strategies. Related content: CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/ https://www.iasociety.org/conferences/aids2026

Daniela DiMarco, MD, MPH is joined by guest speaker Valeria Cantos, MD for this episode of “Conversations with CEI.” Dr. Valeria Cantos is an Associate Professor at the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory. She is an investigator at the Emory Ponce Clinical research site, where she leads HIV prevention and HIV vaccine clinical trials from the HPTN and HVTN networks. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common STIs worldwide. This episode covers a brief overview of herpes simplex virus (HSV) mucocutaneous infections including current recommendations for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and preventing perinatal HSV transmission. They also discuss managing more challenging scenarios to provide practical guidance and address common clinical questions. Related Content: CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 www.ceitraining.org www.hivguidelines.org Plunkett M, Neville CT, Chang JG. Genital Herpes: Rapid Evidence Review. Am Fam Physician. 2024 Nov;110(5):487-492. PMID: 39556630. Gnann JW Jr, Whitley RJ. CLINICAL PRACTICE. Genital Herpes. N Engl J Med. 2016 Aug 18;375(7):666-74. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1603178. PMID: 27532832. Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, Johnston CM, Muzny CA, Park I, Reno H, Zenilman JM, Bolan GA. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1. Erratum in: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Jan 27;72(4):107-108. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7204a5. PMID: 34292926; PMCID: PMC8344968.

Communication and relationship building are key approaches to harm reduction that focus on meeting people where they are. Both rely on shifting away from stigma and bias to create a safe, open dialogue between patient and provider that builds trust and autonomy while prioritizing safety and dignity. Clinical guidelines on how to effectively implement these principles of harm reduction to affect incremental, positive change exist, but can be difficult to translate into practice. This episode features two New York City-based nurses who are passionate about harm reduction and strive to bring its principles to all care settings. In partnership with another colleague, they developed a harm reduction tool to help providers navigate the sometimes opaque work of harm reduction in clinical spaces. Guests will introduce the tool, discuss the complexities of practicing harm reduction medicine and provide concrete strategies to integrate harm reduction into every clinical encounter. Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/ CEI Training, Integrating Harm Reduction into Every Clinical Encounter: https://ceitraining.org/courses/1597 New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines for Substance Use Harm Reduction in Medical Care: https://www.hivguidelines.org/guideline/substance-use-harm-reduction/ New York State Office for Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Harm Reduction: https://oasas.ny.gov/harm-reduction National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/ Hawk, M., Coulter, R.W.S., Egan, J.E., et al. (2017). Harm reduction principles for healthcare settings. Harm Reduct J. 14(70). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0196-4

The 2026 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guideline recommends statin therapy for primary prevention of ASCVD for all people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 40 to 75 years, independently of their traditional ASCVD risk score. This replaces previous calculator-based thresholds. On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, outlines the latest cardiovascular health guidelines for persons living with HIV. Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/ 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia

Hosts Margie Urban, MD, and Daniela DiMarco, MD, MPH, are joined by Jason Zucker, MD. Dr. Zucker is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is also the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Medical Director of the New York City STD and HIV Prevention Training Center. This podcast gives a snapshot of Dr. Zucker’s review of the most influential STI-related publications of 2025. Dr. Zucker will be giving a presentation, titled STI Management: Top Papers of 2025 That Will Impact Your Management Today or Tomorrow, taking place on July 13, 2026. Additional information can be found at the link below. Related content: CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 www.ceitraining.org www.hivguidelines.org Webinar registration link (7/13)- STI Management

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. It is also a movement for social justice build on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs. Although harm reduction was introduced as a U.S. Federal Drug Policy Priority in 2022, it’s currently facing funding cuts that threaten life-saving resources and services. In this episode, we’ll hear from harm reductionist Giorgio Handman who has over 15 years’ experience advocating for and implementing harm reduction to support New Yorkers. He will share his personal experience with harm reduction and talk about the evolution and future of harm reduction. Related Content: Harlem United / History of the Foundation for Research on Sexually Transmitted Disease (FROST’D): https://www.harlemunited.org/frostd-joins-harlem-united-family/ VOCAL New York: https://www.vocal-ny.org/ National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/ New York State Office for Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Harm Reduction: https://oasas.ny.gov/harm-reduction Hawk, M., Coulter, R.W.S., Egan, J.E., et al. (2017). Harm reduction principles for healthcare settings. Harm Reduct J. 14(70). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0196-4 SAMHSA Dear Colleague Letter: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dear-colleague-letter-upated-hr-funding-guidance.pdf CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342  https://ceitraining.org/

Two recent studies have shown remarkable advances in HIV cure research: (1) a Norwegian man who achieved long-term HIV remission after a stem cell transplant from his brother and (2) a Phase 1 trial testing CAR-T cell therapy. On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, dives into these studies and puts them into clinical context, including how to discuss cure research with patients. Related Content: CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342  https://ceitraining.org/ Clinicaltrials.gov

Host Marguerite Urban, MD is joined by William DeWitt, MD, Clinical Director of Anal Health in Primary Care at Northwell Health, to discuss a new coalition forming in New York City about anal dysplasia. ASSETS-NY aims to bring together people in this field and harness momentum to drive further research and implementation of anal dysplasia and cancer screening, surveillance, education and treatment in New York State. Be sure to check out the coalition’s website at https://www.screenyourbutt.org/nyc/. Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342  www.ceitraining.org   www.hivguidelines.org   ASSETS-NY Website: https://www.screenyourbutt.org/nyc/  NYS DOH AIDS Institute, “Screening for Anal Dysplasia and Cancer in Adults With HIV” guidelines: https://www.hivguidelines.org/guideline/hiv-anal-cancer/#toc_wurop7uf   International Anal Neoplasia Society (IANS): https://www.iansoc.org/

New York State’s Hepatitis C Dashboard shows that in 2023, 4,783 people were newly diagnosed with HCV in the state, an 8% decrease from 2022. Incidence also decreased, with the rate of new HCV infections dropping from 4.0 to 3.6 per 100,000 population among adult New Yorkers. Despite these gains, progress towards elimination has been stalled by reliance on a multi-step diagnostic algorithm to confirm viremia. In populations with the highest risk of infection – including people who inject drugs – testing and treatment are often inaccessible due to barriers along the care cascade. On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA test that can be performed where a person receives care, like an outpatient clinic or mobile unit. The availability of a POC HCV RNA testing, which can provide a qualitative results in 60 minutes, unlocks New York’s ability to integrate a test-and-treat approach where a person can be tested for HCV, and if positive for HCV RNA, be linked to care and potentially receive treatment during the same health care visit. To achieve elimination goals, simplified care that engaged people who inject drugs is essential, and single encounter testing and treatment offers a new tool to significantly expand access, decrease time from diagnosis to treatment and increase the number of New Yorkers who are treated for HCV. Today’s episode will focus on this new diagnostic tool and its potential impact on HCV elimination across New York. Related Content:  New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines Program, Hepatitis C Virus Screening, Testing, and Diagnosis in Adults (January 2023): https://www.hivguidelines.org/guideline/hcv-testing/?mycollection=hepatitis-care New York State Department of Health Hepatitis C Dashboard: https://hcvdashboardny.org/ New York State Department of Health, Frequently Asked Questions for Hepatitis C Point of Care Diagnostic Testing (June 2025): https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hepatitis/hepatitis_c/providers/docs/poc_faq.pdf Erie County Medical Center’s Center for Hepatology Care (La Bodega): https://medicine.buffalo.edu/news_and_events/news/2020/04/martinez-bodega-hepatology-clinic-10699.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration News Release, FDA Permits Marketing of First Point-of-Care Hepatitis C RNA Test (June 2024): https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-first-point-care-hepatitis-c-rna-test MacIsaac MB, et al. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing improves hepatitis C testing rates and allows rapid treatment initiation among people who inject drugs attending a medically supervised injecting facility. Int J Drug Policy. 2024 March:125:104317. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104317. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing how to video: https://vimeo.com/1172653335?fl=ip&fe=ec

Based on data from 2023-24, roughly 23% of New Yorkers aged 21 or older reported cannabis use in the past 12 months. Although men generally have a higher prevalence of use than women, recent studies show a narrowing gap as female consumption rises. Despite this trend, research is sorely lacking on the impact of cannabis use on pregnancy, birth outcomes and overall health. Many advisory panels and organizations advise against the use of cannabis during pregnancy, but there are numerous reasons pregnant people choose to use. On today’s episode, we’ll talk through the evidence and provide best practices for caring for pregnant persons who use cannabis.  Related Content:  New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines Program Therapeutic Use of Medical Cannabis in New York State (October 2025): https://www.suguidelinesnys.org/guideline/med-cannabis/?mytab=tab_6/#pregnancy New York State Department of Health Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Considerations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding/Chest Feeding Individuals (2022): https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/07/cannabis-considerations-for-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-chestfeeding-individuals-fact-sheet_v2.pdf New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Brief (November 2024-05): https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/2024-05_brfss_cannabis_use.pdf New York State Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Education Library: https://cannabis.ny.gov/education Zolotov Y, Mendoza Temple L, Isralowitz R, et al. Developing Medical Cannabis Competencies: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2535049. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.35049 Raz M, Gupta-Kagan J, & Asnes A. THC Ingestions and Child Protective Services: Guidelines for Practitioners. J Addict Med. 2025 July-Aug;19(4):350-52. doi:10/1097/ADM.0000000000001441 Data to Action: Cannabis consumption during the perinatal period and clinicians’ screening and advising, New York State outside of New York City, 2017-2018 and 2021-2022: https://apps.health.ny.gov/public/tabvis/PHIG_Public/prams/publications/Cannabis_consumption_during_the_perinatal_period.pdf Project CBD: http://projectcbd.com/ American College of Gynecologists and Obstetrics Clinical Consensus on Cannabis Use during Pregnancy and Lactation (October 2025): https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/10/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-and-lactation CEI Training, Clinical Approaches to Medical Cannabis: https://ceitraining.org/courses/1589 CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2026 took place from February 22 to 25 in Denver, Colorado. CROI is an annual scientific meeting devoted to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS and the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS. Thousands of leading researchers and clinicians from around the world convene in each year for the Conference. On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, reflects on this year’s conference and shares his highlights about exciting developments in the world of HIV prevention and treatment.  Related Content: CROI University of Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker (website and app) CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

Host Dr. Erica Bostick from the University of Rochester Medical Center Division of Adolescent Medicine chats with Dr. Stacy Sun, a double board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology and complex family planning at the University of Rochester, about misconceptions they hear from patients about contraception. Should patients get their hormone levels checked before starting a birth control method? What is emergency contraception and how does it work? Is it safe to use contraception to suppress the menstrual cycle? What do recent studies show about the Depo-Provera shot and the risk of meningioma? Listen to this episode to hear all about these common questions and more, and to get real examples of counseling tips from Dr. Bostick and Dr. Sun! Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/ www.hivguidelines.org Curtis KM, Nguyen AT, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(No. RR-3):1–77. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7303a1 Nguyen AT, Curtis KM, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(No. RR-4):1–126. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7304a1 Xiao T, Kumar P, Lobbous M, Yogi-Morren D, Soni P, Recinos PF, Kshettry VR. Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Risk of Meningioma in the US. JAMA Neurology. 2025;82(11):1094-1102. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.3011. Roland N, Neumann A, Hoisnard L, Duranteau L, Froelich S, Zureik M, Weill A. Use of progestogens and the risk of intracranial meningioma: national case-control study. BMJ. 2024;384:e078078. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-078078

Effective February 19, 2026, New York State law permits clinicians to dispense up to 72 hours (equivalent to a 3-day supply) of controlled substances, such as methadone and buprenorphine, for the management of opioid withdrawal while arranging referral and linkage to care for persons with opioid use disorder, as authorized by federal regulations (specifically, the Code of Federal Regulations or CFR number 1306.07). The federal regulations were updated in August 2023, and New York State law is just now catching up. We informally refer to the update as “The 72-Hour Rule.” Featuring Dr. Linda Wang, this episode reviews what this update means for New York State and how clinicians and healthcare administrators can think about its implementation. Are you implementing “The 72-Hour Rule” in clinical practice in New York State? We want to hear from you! Please reach out to share your experience: [email protected]. Related Content:  New York State Senate Bill S3416D: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3416/amendment/D Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 1306.07: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1306/subject-group-ECFR1eb5bb3a23fddd0/section-1306.07 Skogrand E, et al. (2024). Dispensing methadone at hospital discharge: One hospital’s approach to implementing the “72-hour rule” change. J Addict Med. 2024; 18(1):71-74. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001246. Shahlapour M, et al. (2024). Novel uses of methadone under the “72-hour rule” to facilitate transitions of care and low-dose buprenorphine induction in an outpatient bridge clinic. J Addict Med. 2024; 18(3):345-347. doi: 10/1097/ADM.0000000000001281. Taylor JL, et al. (2022). Bridge clinic implementation of "72-hour rule" methadone for opioid withdrawal management: Impact on opioid treatment program linkage and retention in care. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022; 236:109497. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109497. CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/