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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DESIGNATING APRIL AS STI AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 13-19, 2025, AS STI AWARENESS WEEK IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, April is designated as National STI Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control designates the 2nd week in April as STI Awareness Week with the theme with the theme Talk, Test, Treat, an opportunity to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how they impact our lives; reduce STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination; and ensure people have the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment; and
WHEREAS, anyone who is sexually active can get an STI, so it is important to learn more about them and how to minimize your exposure to STIs and take care of your sexual health; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, the STI epidemic continues to be widespread, and the 2023 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance Report underscores that STIs must be a public health priority as more than 2.4 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States; and
WHEREAS, this includes over 209,000 cases of syphilis, over 600,000 cases of gonorrhea, and over 1.6 million cases of chlamydia. Importantly, the combined count includes 3,882 cases of congenital syphilis, including 279 congenital syphilis stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths; and
WHEREAS, significant disparities in reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) persisted in 2023. Adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 accounted for nearly half of all reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by STIs, especially gonorrhea and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis. Co-infection with HIV is common among MSM, with 37.2% of MSM with P&S syphilis having HIV. In 2023, 32.4% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and P&S syphilis were among non-Hispanic Black or African American individuals, despi...
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