I chose to dedicate time to the topic of STDs in Young Adults because I believe that this is a growing and inevitable problem that is heavily stigmatized in our society. I believe the public needs to have access to this vital information in a safe platform that allows them to learn about how we can all help to halt the progression of the growing STD epidemic, and make this world a healthier place.

This topic is important to me not only because I am passionate about the public’s health, but because I am a college student surrounded by a population that is heavily in contact and affected by STD transmission everyday. This is the same population that is afraid to communicate and talk about their sexual health because of the taboo and stigma that surrounds the subject. I want to live in a world where young adults feel comfortable and able to talk about and take care of their sexual health needs. Sexually transmitted diseases  are preventable, yet continue to be spread due to lack of proper education and resources.

I was initially drawn to this issue in Human Sexuality when our professor told us that our Student Health Center estimates that 80% of CSU Chico’s campus carries chlamydia. This was shocking to me and I could not believe that I would not have heard about this issue unless I had been sitting in that class to hear it. This issue is silent and growing and needs to be helped. In public health we then discussed that Butte County has a growing epidemic of gonorrhea and chlamydia. And later that same week I learned that one of my friends contracted chlamydia. All of this information was so overwhelming for me that it pulled me in to focus on this issue. Young adults are a great group of people who just need adequate resources and knowledge that their bodies are important and should be healthy. If no one is speaking about it, then no one knows there is a problem.

I believe we can live in a world one day where young adults will be empowered to take control of their sexual health, and also have access to adequate sexual health resources. Through education, increased access to resources, and growing social acceptance we can change the world and improve the sexual health of young adults.