Young people ages 15-24 account for almost half of all sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases in the United States – over 9 million a year. A recent study also found that one in four young women ages 15-19 has an STD. And worldwide, there are over 340 million cases of STDs every single year.

Did You Know?

• Latin America, the Caribbean, and Sub Saharan Africa have the highest rates of STDs - many times those in North America and Europe.
• In the United States, the Southern states are hit hardest – with African American youth more vulnerable to STDs even with equal or better risk behaviors.
• If left untreated, STDs can cause infertility, and STDs are associated with higher AIDS risk.
• The vaccine Gardasil protects against the four types of HPV which cause 70 percent of cervical cancer.

Yet in the United States, abstinence-only programs distort information about condoms. The far right engages in fearmongering to discourage widespread HPV vaccination. And around the world, many young people don’t have access to health care. All people - including young people - have the right to information, to health care, and to the tools they we to protect ourselves from STDs.

Take Action!

Tell Congress to fully fund HIV/STI prevention programs.

Blog it!

What do you think about STDs and STD prevention? Why aren’t condoms used more? How can we combat the epidemic among young people? Have you been vaccinated for HPV? Have you experienced an STI? Write a blog about STDs here.


Health Facts: STDs

Learn about the different STDs, how they are transmitted, and how to prevent them.

Interested in this issue? Keep Reading!

Read about related issues on Amplify

Choosing Not to Have Sex
Comprehensive Sex Education
Condoms
HIV
Social Justice and Human Rights


Other Resources

Need current, reliable information on this topic? Check out the links below for the latest research.

Adolescents—At Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Adolescent Sexual Health in Developing Countries


Do you have a question about STDs?

Ask one of Advocates’ MySistahs or YouthResource Peer Educators!