Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health

Afaxys
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MEDICINE

Join Afaxys—a Public Benefit Corporation serving public health clinicians and their patients—for Candid Conversations in Public Health, a podcast series exploring today’s most pressing issues in sexual and reproductive healthcare. Each episode takes you to the front lines with timely discussions and practical insights from leading experts, clinicians, and innovators. From STI clinical care and contraceptive access to emerging challenges and policy shifts, these candid conversations highlight the realities and future of public health. Whether you’re a clinician, healthcare leader, or simply interested in how public health is evolving, this series offers relevant, accessible, and meaningful dialogue to inform and inspire your work. Learn more about Afaxys and our resources for clinicians at Afaxys.com.

Episodes

  1. DEC 10

    On the Front Lines of Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment: New ACOG Partner Treatment Recommendations

    In our fifth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we discuss the recently published “StepUp” randomized controlled trial of male partner treatment for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence in female partners with our expert guests, Dr. Craig Cohen and Dr. Ina Park. Building on our previous episode 4, part 2, we take a deep dive into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Clinical Practice Update: Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence. This guidance was based on the StepUp clinical trial and published after we spoke with Dr. Christina Muzny in our last episode. Today’s discussion covers why the vaginal microbiome is central to BV, what the recent clinical trial from Australia actually showed, a critical look at the new clinical practice update, and why applying the Australian trial findings in U.S. clinics requires appreciation of the nuances of the trial population. Our experts also explore whether BV should be viewed as a sexually transmitted infection, plus the practical challenges of treating male partners. They also highlight emerging strategies—such as microbiome-restoring therapies—and key questions that still need research before widespread adoption. Disclosures: Dr. Cohen discloses that he is on the scientific committee for Osel and Evvy. Dr. Park has no disclosures. Resources: ***Free CME!*** STI Expert Hour Webinar - Male Partner Treatment to Prevent BV Recurrence: Evidence and Implementation on December 18, 2025 Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis  Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners  Getting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Recurrence: A Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV ACOG PUBLICATIONS: CLINICAL PRACTICE UPDATE Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence Melbourne Sexual Health Centre - BV in focus Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

    41 min

  2. NOV 18

    On the Front Lines of Prevention Part 2: Updates in Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention

    In our third and fourth episodes of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Olivia van Gerwen and Dr. Christina Muzny about recent updates in prevention strategies for HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV).  In Episode 3 (Part 1), Dr. Olivia “Libby” van Gerwen walks us through oral versus injectable medications as HIV prevention strategies, including the findings from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 trials of lenacapavir. We also discuss real-world nuances of HIV PrEP care such as insurance, cost, patient preference, and the clinical logistics of these preventive medications. In Episode 4 (Part 2), Dr. Christina Muzny tackles our tough questions: Is BV a sexually transmitted infection? Does male partner treatment prevent BV recurrence? Which patients are eligible for this type of therapy? Learn how today’s guest experts are advancing STI prevention and improving patient care—insights every sexual and reproductive health clinician can use. Disclosures: Dr. van Gerwen discloses research funding from NIH and Gilead, including the Purpose 2 and Purpose 365 trials. Unrelated to this episode, she has served as a consultant for GSK, Abbott, and BioMeriuex. Dr. Muzny discloses research funding from NIH, Gilead, BioNTech, and Abbott. Resources for Part 1: Bekker LG, Das M, Karim QA, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily F/TAF for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(13):1179-1192. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407001 Kelley CF, Acevedo-Quiñones M, Agwu AL, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Men and Gender-Diverse Persons. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(13):1261-1276. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2411858 Resources for Part 2: https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236. Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373 Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

    19 min

  3. NOV 18

    On the Front Lines of Prevention Part 1: Updates in HIV Prevention

    In our third and fourth episodes of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Olivia van Gerwen and Dr. Christina Muzny about recent updates in prevention strategies for HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV).  In Episode 3 (Part 1), Dr. Olivia “Libby” van Gerwen walks us through oral versus injectable medications as HIV prevention strategies, including the findings from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 trials of lenacapavir. We also discuss real-world nuances of HIV PrEP care such as insurance, cost, patient preference, and the clinical logistics of these preventive medications. In Episode 4 (Part 2), Dr. Christina Muzny tackles our tough questions: Is BV a sexually transmitted infection? Does male partner treatment prevent BV recurrence? Which patients are eligible for this type of therapy? Learn how today’s guest experts are advancing STI prevention and improving patient care—insights every sexual and reproductive health clinician can use. Disclosures: Dr. van Gerwen discloses research funding from NIH and Gilead, including the Purpose 2 and Purpose 365 trials. Unrelated to this episode, she has served as a consultant for GSK, Abbott, and BioMeriuex. Dr. Muzny discloses research funding from NIH, Gilead, BioNTech, and Abbott. Resources for Part 1: Bekker LG, Das M, Karim QA, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily F/TAF for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(13):1179-1192. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407001 Kelley CF, Acevedo-Quiñones M, Agwu AL, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Men and Gender-Diverse Persons. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(13):1261-1276. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2411858 Resources for Part 2: https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236. Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373 Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

    21 min

  4. OCT 22

    Clinician Resources for Lifelong Learning: On the Front Lines of Sexual & Reproductive Health

    In our second episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Jen Karlin to explore how clinicians can stay up to date in sexual and reproductive healthcare while balancing evolving evidence, patient needs, and time constraints. The discussion covers practical continuing education strategies and trusted resources like Bedsider Providers+, the CDC’s Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) and Selected Practice Recommendations (SPR), and the Clinician Training Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health (CTC-SRH).  The conversation also spotlights the Reproductive Health Hotline (Repro-HH) — a free, nationwide service from UCSF that provides real-time, confidential support for clinicians managing questions about contraceptive care and reproductive health.  Whether you’re a provider looking to strengthen your knowledge or simply curious about how medical education adapts to modern challenges, this episode offers valuable insight and resources to help improve patient access and confidence in care. Resources: 1-844-REPRO-HH (1-844-737-7644) Repro Health Hotline: https://reprohh.ucsf.edu Innovating Education: https://www.innovating-education.org/ Bedsider Providers Plus: https://providers.bedsider.org/membership/ CTC-SRH: https://ctcsrh.org/ Reproductive Health Access Project: https://www.reproductiveaccess.org/ CDC-MEC: https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/hcp/usmec/index.html CDC-SPR: https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/hcp/usspr/index.html National Clinician Consultation Center: https://nccc.ucsf.edu/ Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

    32 min

  5. SEP 12

    STI Clinical Care Today: Views from the Front Lines

    In our premiere episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, host Beth Attias sits down with leading experts Dr. Tammy Bennett and Dr. Kristin Metcalf-Wilson from the Clinical Training Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health (CTC-SRH), along with Dr. Kristen Feldman of Afaxys. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of STI clinical care in 2025—highlighting rising trends like the resurgence of syphilis, the growing role of point-of-care and at-home testing, and the importance of addressing gaps in provider education and access. Listeners will gain practical insights into: How frontline clinicians are adapting to changing STI trendsThe critical role of training and toolkits in public healthExpanding access through telemedicine, PrEP/PEP services, and innovative testing modelsWhy collaboration across providers and systems is key to preventing congenital syphilis and improving sexual health outcomesTune in for a candid, timely discussion on the challenges—and solutions—shaping the future of sexual and reproductive health care. Disclosure: Drs. Bennett and Metcalf-Wilson do not have any relevant financial disclosures. ZFxopFfis8wJbtCQmECa Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

    25 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join Afaxys—a Public Benefit Corporation serving public health clinicians and their patients—for Candid Conversations in Public Health, a podcast series exploring today’s most pressing issues in sexual and reproductive healthcare. Each episode takes you to the front lines with timely discussions and practical insights from leading experts, clinicians, and innovators. From STI clinical care and contraceptive access to emerging challenges and policy shifts, these candid conversations highlight the realities and future of public health. Whether you’re a clinician, healthcare leader, or simply interested in how public health is evolving, this series offers relevant, accessible, and meaningful dialogue to inform and inspire your work. Learn more about Afaxys and our resources for clinicians at Afaxys.com.

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