What is STI Awareness Week?

STI Awareness Week, observed the second full week in April, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about STIs and how they impact our lives, reduce fear of seeking medical care, and ensure people have the tools and knowledge to prevent, test for, and treat STIs.

What Is an STI and Why STI Testing?

STI Stands for Sexually Transmitted Infections, which can be contracted through any type of sexual activity. STIs are also referred to as STDs or Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The infection statistics are staggering. Preliminary 2021 statistical reports show 2.5 million cases of the most common STI’s, including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Sadly, our youth and young adults (ages 15-24) are affected by these statistics at a disproportionately high rate.

In 2019, we started offering free testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, which are two of the most common STIs. This has given us an incredible opportunity to offer medical care to our patients and share truth with them. Our STI program allows us to share the Lord’s design for sex and sexual health. Often, this opens the door for conversations about a patient’s beliefs about relationships, the sanctity of life, and God. Sometimes, this even gives us the opportunity share the Gospel.

 

How Can You Help?

1. Please join us in praying for STI Awareness week.
   1. For those that need STI Testing around the country to turn to their local pregnancy medical clinic in their time of need.
   2. That God would use the STI program to build ongoing relationships with women and men, before they are faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
   3. For truth to prevail in the upcoming generation of youth that will be making sexual health decisions.
   4. For our nurses as they have deep and meaningful conversations with our patients.
   5. For the Lord to continually provide the funds needed to run the STI program.
2. Spread the word. We are grateful for every referral we receive as each referral is an opportunity to provide hope and practical help to someone with great need.
3. Share truth in your sphere of influence regarding the Lord’s design for sex and sexual health. If you have questions or would like to have us speak about this topic, please reach out.

We thank you for your support of AMC and are grateful for your prayers!

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance: Preliminary 2021 Data. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Fact Sheet: Information for Teens and Young Adults: Staying Healthy and Preventing STDs. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2022.