Every year, there are more than 19 MILLION new STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) cases in the United States. One in two people who are sexually active will get a STI by the time they turn 25, and many will not even know it. Since many STIs do not present signs or symptoms, the only way to know for certain if one has an STI is to get tested. Sexually transmitted infections include but are not limited to gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, and HIV. Many STIs are curable and all are treatable. However, if an STI is left untreated, it is can easily be transmitted to others and can lead to more serious health issues such as infertility.
Since April is recognized as National STI Awareness Month, the Get Yourself Tested campaign kicked off on April 1st this year to address the sky-high rates of sexually transmitted infections by encouraging young people to get tested. Launched in 2009, the GYT campaign is supported by various partners which include MTV, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an effort to raise awareness of STIs and to empower adolescents to get tested, Chicago Health Corps members Brynn, Caitlin, Marissa, and Whitney at Erie Family Health Center not only incorporate information on STIs into their sexual health education curriculum, but have also launched their own adolescent health campaign. Throughout the months of April and May they will be conducting lunchroom outreach, putting together bulletin boards, and posting flyers throughout their respective school-based health centers to promote open dialogue about STIs and getting tested.
For more information on local testing centers or how to get involved in the GYT campaign, check out the following link: http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/
This post was written by CHC member 
Since April is recognized as National STI Awareness Month, the Get Yourself Tested campaign kicked off on April 1st this year to address the sky-high rates of sexually transmitted infections by encouraging young people to get tested. Launched in 2009, the GYT campaign is supported by various partners which include MTV, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.