A Conversation About the Community Response to MPV: Lessons From the Field

On November 16, 2022, NYHealth hosted a webinar discussion with Anthony Fortenberry, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and Matthew Crehan Higgins, Associate Vice President, Specialty Care, Evergreen Health.

The MPV virus—otherwise known as monkeypox—is a viral disease transmitted from prolonged skin-to-skin contact. In early 2022, MPV spread quickly around the world, disproportionately affecting gay and bisexual men. More than 78,000 individuals from 109 countries have been infected with the virus. In the United States, more than 28,000 cases have been reported—and 1 out of 7 of these cases are from New York City.

Since the initial outbreak of MPV, infection rates have declined significantly. This can be attributed to multipronged community efforts—driven in large part by safety-net organizations—centered around public education, vaccination campaigns, and treatment services. As a trusted source of accurate and up-to-date health information, these organizations helped mobilize local testing services and ensured that local and federal resources were funneled directly to those most affected by the outbreak. Their efforts on the front lines offer important lessons on how communities can prepare for future public health emergencies.

Speakers shared their experiences with the community response to MPV and their insights on how local health care agencies and community-based organizations can respond to future public health emergencies.

Watch the webinar recording.