At a glance
STI Awareness Week, observed the second full week in April, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STI Awareness Week focuses on how STIs impact our lives, reducing STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination and ensure people have the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment.
Overview
CDC estimates that about 20 percent of the U.S. population - approximately one in five people - had an STI on any given day in 2018. STIs acquired that year cost the American health care system nearly $16 billion in health care costs alone.
In this context, innovative testing strategies are critical for prevention. Opportunities for phone, video, or online health care visits are expanding STI care beyond the clinic setting. This in turn can help us reduce infections and address the challenges of health care access.
Thank you for your continued commitment to STI prevention and for joining us in raising awareness to make a difference in our communities. We look forward to seeing your work in action across the nation. We cannot protect the public's health without you.