April sheds light on STDs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics show that Americans under the age of 25 represent half of the 19 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases.
In an attempt to combat STDs, Planned Parenthood, the CDC, Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV teamed up in April 2009 and began the Get Yourself Tested campaign. That campaignresulted in 9,200 STD tests in Indiana alone.
Hoping for the same success, the groups launched the same campaign this year.
Throughout April, National STD Awareness Month, the campaign has played a major role in awareness throughout the country, especially at colleges and universities.
“We’ve had condom crawls [condom handouts at local clubs and hotspots], viewing parties and low-cost testing at specific sites all month,” Planned Parenthood of Indiana Director of Communications and Marketing Kate Shepherd said. “You can’t even turn on MTV without seeing a GYT commercial.”
In Indiana, viewing parties have been held at Indiana University — Bloomington, and cheap STD testing was offered in Muncie and Lafayette. Planned Parenthood centers in Marion County also offered half-price HIV tests to all patients.
Colleges throughout the country have taken part in the campaign, but Franklin College has not. However, students can get involved in other ways.
“Even just getting tested is a way to get involved,” Shepherd said. “People can also visit the website and Facebook and Twitter pages … we want people to get updates and know their [STD] status.”
The campaign will continue emphasizing the importance of getting tested mostly through April, but Shepherd wants people, especially students, to realize how important this campaign and cause is.
“According to statistics, as many as one in two sexually active young people will contract an STD by age 25,” Shepherd said. “So if you’re sitting in class between two of your best friends, chances are one of them could have an STD.”
