Common Acronyms
This list of acronyms is not exhaustive but covers the primary acronyms used in this web site and in family planning training.
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| AAPA | American Association of Physician Assistants |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| ACNM | American College of Nurse-Midwives |
| AHRQ | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality |
| AIDS | Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
| AMA | American Medical Association |
| ANP | Adult Nurse Practitioner |
| APHA | American Public Health Association |
| APRN | Advanced Practice Registered Nurse |
| AVSC | formerly the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception, now called EngenderHealth |
| BPHC | Bureau of Primary Health Care |
| CA | Clinic Assistant |
| CARE Act | [Ryan White] Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act |
| CBO | Community-Based Organization |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CE | Continuing Education |
| CEUs | Continuing Education Units |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations |
| CHC | Community Health Center (Also see FQHC) |
| CISS | Community Integrated Service Systems |
| CMEs | Continuing Medical Education hours |
| CNM | Certified Nurse-Midwife |
| CNA | Colorado Nurses' Association |
| COPC | Community-Oriented Primary Care |
| COBRA | Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act |
| CRS | Congressional Research Service |
| CPT | Current Procedural Terminology |
| Ct | Chlamydia trachomatis |
| C&T | Counseling & Testing |
| DASPA | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Population Affairs |
| DHHS | Department of Health and Human Services |
| DOH | Department of Health |
| EC | Emergency contraceptive |
| EMA | Eligible Metropolitan Area |
| FDA | Federal Drug Administration |
| FNP | Family Nurse Practitioner |
| FP | Family Planning |
| FQHC | Federally Qualified Health Center (Also see CHC) |
| GC | Gonorrhea |
| HAV | Hepatitis A virus |
| HBV | Hepatitis B virus |
| HCFA | Health Care Financing Administration |
| HCH | Health Care for the Homeless |
| HCV | Hepatitis C virus |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act |
| HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus |
| HPSA | Health Professional Shortage Area |
| HRSA | Health Resources and Services Administration |
| HSV | Herpes simplex virus |
| ICD-9 | International Classification of Diseases, Version 9 |
| I&E | Information & Education |
| IEC (or ICE) | Information, Education & Communication |
| IHS | Indian Health Service |
| IUD (or IUC) | Intra-uterine device (contraception) |
| JSI | John Snow, Inc. or JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. |
| LPN | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| MA | Medical Assistant |
| MCH | Maternal and Child Health |
| MHC | Migrant Health Center |
| M&IE | Meals & Incidental Expenses |
| MPC | Mucopurulent Cervicitis |
| MUA | Medically Underserved Area |
| MUP | Medically Underserved Population |
| NACHC | National Association of Community Health Centers |
| NFPRHA | National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association |
| NGA | Notice of Grant Award |
| NGU | Nongonococcal urethritis |
| NHSC | National Health Service Corps |
| NICHE | Northwest Institute of Community Health Educators |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| OCP | Oral Contraceptive Pill |
| OASH | Office of Assistant Secretary for Health |
| OGM | Office of Grants Management |
| OPA | Office of Population Affairs |
| OTC | Over The Counter |
| PA | Physician Assistant |
| PCA | Primary Care Association |
| PCER | Primary Care Effectiveness Review. The on-site review of each grantee performed by PHS every 3-5 years and covering clinical services, administration/management, governance and fiscal/MIS systems. |
| PCO | Primary Care Office |
| PCOS | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| PHS | Public Health Service |
| PID | Pelvic Inflammatory Disease |
| PPFA | Planned Parenthood Federation of America |
| PPRM | Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains |
| PPAU | Planned Parenthood Association of Utah |
| QA | Quality Assurance |
| RHA | Regional Health Administrator |
| RHC | Rural Health Center |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| RO | Regional Office |
| RPC | Regional Program Consultant |
| RPHA | Regional Public Health Advisor |
| RTC | Regional Training Center |
| STD | Sexually Transmitted Disease |
| STI | Sexually Transmitted Infection |
| TA | Technical Assistance |
| TANF | Temporary Assistance to Needy Families |
| TB | Tuberculosis |
| TOT | Training of Trainers |
| TS | Technical Support |
| USPHS | United States Public Health Service |
| USAID | U.S. Agency for International Development |
| WIC | Women, Infants and Children |
