Destigmatizing STIs for youth

Students tabling an STI campaign at Locke High School.

April is STI (sexually transmitted infection) Awareness Month in the United States. This is an ideal time for healthcare providers, school administrators, and community organizers to make a special effort to educate young people about the risks of STIs and ensure they have access to the necessary resources to protect themselves. It is especially crucial for marginalized youth who may not have access to quality sex education and other health resources. 

STIs are on the rise among young people in the United States, with cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increasing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that almost half of all new STI cases impact young people ages 15-24. To combat this trend, it is critical to provide young people with the necessary resources so they can make informed decisions about their sexual health. These young people may not have trustworthy adults in their lives who can answer their questions about sex or provide them with condoms or other forms of protection. Moreover, they may not have access to transportation or financial resources to go to a clinic for testing or treatment.

The L.A. Trust advocates for sexual and reproductive health for students’ well-being, and because students with access to education, screening and treatment achieve more in school and have a better start on life. The L.A. Trust promotes chlamydia screenings and HPV vaccination at Student and Family Wellness Centers, helps students build awareness among their peers, and facilitates public and private partnerships that promote sexual and reproductive health.

The importance of educating young people on sexual health cannot be overemphasized. Young people must be equipped to protect themselves, and one way to do this is to give them accurate information about sexually transmitted infections. This includes information on how sexually transmitted infections spread and how to minimize the risk of contracting them. For example, young people should know that not engaging in sexual activity is the only foolproof way to avoid an STI; however, if they decide to be sexually active, using condoms or other forms of protection can significantly decrease their risk. The effects of untreated STIs can be severe and long-lasting. If left unchecked, untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause infertility in both men and women. If not treated early enough, syphilis can cause serious damage to organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. 

In addition to providing accurate information about STIs, it is also crucial to work towards reducing the stigma surrounding these infections. Shame or embarrassment surrounding STIs can prevent individuals from seeking testing or treatment. By creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable discussing sexual health openly without fear of ridicule or shame, we can help break down these barriers. 

Efforts towards destigmatizing STIs must go hand-in-hand with efforts towards providing accessible healthcare services for all individuals regardless of socioeconomic status or location. Community-based organizations play a critical role in connecting marginalized youth with resources like free testing clinics or mobile healthcare units that travel directly into underserved areas. 

In conclusion, April's designation as STI Awareness Month is an important reminder that we must prioritize educating our youth on sexual health throughout the year, and especially during this time when awareness efforts are amplified. By providing accurate information about sexually transmitted infections while working towards reducing stigma around these illnesses through open dialogue and accessible healthcare services, we can equip our youth with the necessary tools for healthy futures. 

Sources:
CDC 2021 Data
CDC STI
Sexual Health Disparities
STI awareness month