title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DESIGNATING APRIL AS STI AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 13-19, 2026, AS STI AWARENESS WEEK IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, April is designated as National STI Awareness Month with the theme of "Forward Together: Uniting Science, Community, and Care for STI Prevention"; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control designates the 2nd week in April as STI Awareness Week 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 2024 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance Report underscores that STIs must be a public health priority as more than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States, which represents a 9% decline from 2023, down a third consecutive year, however, overall cases are 13% higher; congenital syphilis is nearly 700% higher; and
WHEREAS, this includes over 190,242 cases of syphilis, over 543,409 cases of gonorrhea, and 1.5 million cases of chlamydia. Importantly, the combined count includes 3,941 cases of congenital syphilis, including 110 per 100,000 live births of congenital syphilis stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which represents the 12th year in a row and 700% compared to a decade ago; and
WHEREAS, racial and ethnic minorities (Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native) and gay/bisexual men continue to be disproportionately affected by STIs, driven by systemic barriers including po...
Click here for full text