TALK, TEST, TREAT – Prevention is the Key to Health

April is Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month. RAHS staff ensure that all aspects of health, including sexuality, prevention, screening, and treatment for STDs is a normal part of teen health throughout the year. Current Michigan state law requires that confidential services, including testing and counseling for STDs and HIV, be available to minors.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report a 4.7% increase in Chlamydia and an 18.5% increase in Gonorrhea since 2015. RAHS has implemented several strategies to address these increases.

• Provide anticipatory guidance for all patients about adolescent development and prevention strategies for STDs
• Provide individual counseling, testing and treatment according to state law and providing confidential, adolescent-friendly service
• Involve parents/guardians and community members in the conversation.
  • Involvement in Sexual Education Advisory Boards
  • Providing resources and support for parents/guardians of adolescents
• Public Health Prevention and Intervention
  • Partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of HIV and STD Programs to provide school-wide education on STD prevention education and STD screenings
  • Public Health Intervention: Partnering with University Michigan researcher to identify effective innovated ways to implement Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for partners of patients effected with STDs

For more information, visit these websites:

Parent Action for Healthy Kids

CDC site for STD Awareness Month

It’s Your (Sex) Life – GYT