The Brockporter Health Care Sunday - April is STD Awareness Month

From the CDC web site: 

STD Awareness Month

April is STD Awareness Month - Make a difference

April is STD Awareness Month, an opportunity for individuals, doctors, and community-based organizations to address ways to prevent some of the nearly 20 million new sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) that occur in the United States each year.

20 million - new STDs that occur each year.
$16 billion -- the cost of treating STDs contracted in just one year.
½ of all new sexually transmitted infections each year are among youth.

These numbers highlight an urgent need for prevention. During the month of April, you can make a difference by promoting STD awareness. CDC has many resources to help you learn more about STDs, as well as materials you can share with patients or community members.

• Prevention - STDs can be prevented. Learn how you can prevent STDs.
• STD Fact Sheets – Many STDs have no signs or symptoms. Learn more about STDs in these disease-specific fact sheets that are available in both English and Spanish.
• The Facts – Half of all new STDs occur among young people aged 15–24. These plain language brochures provide information about STDs, STD prevention, and STD treatment.
• Videos and Podcasts – Young patients feel primary care settings are an appropriate place to discuss sexual health and would like their doctors to begin these types of discussions. These short videos and audio podcasts provide doctors with tips on how to talk to young people and take a sexual history, as well as the latest on STD prevention and treatment recommendations.
• Content Syndication – The STD Prevention Web pages are some of the most popular sections of the cdc.gov web site. By using the content syndication feature, STD information on your web site will be automatically updated each time CDC updates its web site!
• STDs Widgets – Knowing your STD status is a critical step in stopping STD transmission. These STD testing locators can be added to your web site to help your web visitors find a nearby free or low-cost STD testing facility.
• STD Data and Statistics - STD rates vary by city and state. Find out about STD cases and rates in your area.
  • Chlamydia in Your Area
  • Gonorrhea in Your Area
  • Syphilis in Your Area
• STD Treatment Guidelines and Updates  - Many STDs are treatable and most can be cured. These recommendations include guidance on treatment, screening and updates on drug resistance and drug availability.

More Information

• Promote STD Awareness on Your Website
• STD Awareness Resource Site
• National HIV and STD Testing Resources
• Reportable STDs in Young People 15–24 Years of Age, by State
• Guide to Taking a Sexual History    [PDF - 219KB]
• Training  for Clinicians, Physicians, and Public Health Practitioners
• STD Webinars