The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has named April "National STD Awareness Month" in an effort to promote awareness about STDs throughout the United States. STDs come in many forms and some do not show symptoms that alarm the carrier to seek treatment. While STDs are not an easy topic of discussion, it is important to talk to our sexual partners about protection to avoid the continual spread of these diseases.

According to recent studies conducted by the CDC, in 2009 more than one million people sought treatment for Chlamydia and over 300,000 sought treatment for Gonorrhea. What is even more disconcerting is the percentage of African-American, Hispanic and other minority communities that are the primary carriers of these two diseases. A lack of safe sex education and access to condoms and other protection has lead to this disproportionate percentage.

This year, I am co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1619, which requires schools that offer sex education in their curriculum to provide accurate information about the benefits of abstinence and the necessity of protecting oneself from unwanted pregnancies and STDs. Through sex education, our youth will learn the health risks facing them if they have unprotected sex and develop a sense of self-value.

In an effort to help educate young adults about the importance of STD testing, the CDC teamed up with MTV to create the Get Yourself Tested campaign. Through the website, you can learn more information on STDs, treatments, and testing facilities.

This month, take stock in your life by deciding to get tested for STDs and encourage your partner and friends to join you. For more information, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/std/ or MTV’s Get Yourself Tested campaign website at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com.