Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Goal Statement: The goal of this social change portfolio is to combat the rise in transmission rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through increasing access to education on sexual health and quality health care, including contraceptives and STI testing. Significant Findings: San Diego has seen a rise in the spread of STIs, disproportionately affecting young men and women of color. This rise can be attributed to risk factors such as low socioeconomic status (SES), discrimination, and lack of access to quality healthcare or prevention services. Working to reduce the social stigma associated with STIs, providing quality sexual health education, and increasing access to quality healthcare can allow at-risk populations to prevent the rise in STI cases in San Diego. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Identify barriers to at-risk populations that lead to a higher susceptibility to contracting STIs, including cultural factors. Examine the interaction of risk and protective factors that can increase susceptibility to contracting STIs. Work with community leaders and policymakers to increase accessibility to quality healthcare. Collaborate with educators to improve sexual health education, straying from abstinence education. Advocate for the normalization of discussing sexual health to reduce the social stigma surrounding STIs.
