We don’t know who needs to hear this, but condoms are not just for birth control.

Resources:

CDC: STD Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/30haW1n
CDC: STD Prevention Infographic: https://bit.ly/3eAWtm7
CDC: Just Diagnosed w/ an STD Next Steps: https://bit.ly/32CC0Lx
CDC: Find an STD Testing Site Near You: https://bit.ly/2OwfKdN

When was the last time you had a conversation with a hookup, date, or partner about your sexual health situation? If you didn't talk about it, did you at least make sure to use a condom or protection? If you're like a lot of the people in these surveys, you probably didn't do either of those things. There seem to be a lot of reasons that add up to an epidemic level of STDs in America right now. Since the morning-after pill is readily available and most STDs are treatable (including long term treatment for HIV), millennials seem to be less concerned with using protection. In addition, government funding for organizations that educate and treat these diseases has been drastically reduced. So once again, we find that a lack of sex education and resources leads to a sexually unhealthy population. Watch to see if you go about STD discussion and prevention that same way as these adults.

Research:

Facts about STD Cases per Demographic in America: https://bit.ly/3eAruqc & https://bit.ly/3fHPppi

Current STD Rates in America & CDC Funding: https://bit.ly/2CaTtzT & https://bit.ly/2DR1zht

Survey Answers on Millennial STD Habits: https://bit.ly/3jd5bKD

Morning After Pill + STD Cases: https://bit.ly/2CaTJyR

HIV Treatment + STD Cases: https://bit.ly/3h0Oosq

Closing of Safety Net Health Centers (Planned Parenthood): https://bit.ly/2DR1zht

CDC Prevention Resources: https://bit.ly/2CcdPbY

Digital Love is a series that pairs research with real stories to explore dating and relationships in the digital age.