The following is a sample Letter to the Editor that can be adapted for your community and submitted to local newspapers to generate awareness of the scope of STDs in the U.S and the need for testing.

[Date]

To the Editor:

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a public health crisis in the U.S. Each year there are approximately 19 million new cases of STIs in this country, about half of which occur in young people under the age of 25. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicate approximately 1 in 4 girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 19 have at least one of the more common STDs. With that in mind, April is STI Awareness Month and the theme this year is Take Control. Get the Facts. Get Tested.

Contrary to what many believe, STDs don’t always involve obvious signs. For example, the most commonly reported bacterial STD, chlamydia, often doesn’t cause symptoms in women (and sometimes men) but when undetected in women the infection can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

STDs are not a sign of promiscuity, as anyone who’s sexually active can be at risk, even if they’ve had only a single partner. It’s critically important for anyone who’s sexually active to talk with his or her healthcare provider to see if STD testing is recommended. Remember that Pap tests (which are also important!) and routine medical exams do not check for STDs.

For more information about STDs, testing, and how you can reduce your risk contact the American Social Health Association (ASHA) at www.ASHAstd.org or info@ashastd.org.

Sincerely,

[Your Name, Title, Organization]
[Your Daytime Phone Number, Not for Publication]