With 20% of Americans suffering from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), promoting safe sex has never been more important as is understanding your STD risk assessment. Several factors determine how susceptible one is to contracting these infections, namely locality, habits, identity, and sexuality. Understanding these factors is key to preventing STDs and STIs in vulnerable populations.
States like Utah and Idaho have the lowest risk for STIs, while states like Georgia and Louisiana have the highest risk. Overall, southern regions and densely populated metropolitan regions are at the highest risk. Different daily practices also increase risk, such as having multiple partners, having unprotected sex or using improper protection methods, substance abuse, or using dating apps. These activities involve a level of uncertainty and unknown that is not conducive to preventing infection. Personal attributes like ethnicity, sexuality, age, income, and background also can determine how at-risk someone is for an STI or STD.
Although there are several reasons one may be considered an at-risk individual, there are also many methods that combat infection. Abstinence, testing, and protection are leading the charge with a 98% to 100% reduction rate. However, vaccines and other medications can also help to promote healthy sex in people of all ages and backgrounds.
