BILL NUMBER: SCR 109	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  119
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 20, 2014
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  APRIL 28, 2014
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 14, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lara

                        APRIL 9, 2014

   Relative to National STD Awareness Month and National Youth HIV &
AIDS Awareness Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 109, Lara. National STD Awareness Month and National Youth HIV
& AIDS Awareness Day.
   This measure would provide that the Legislature recognizes April
2014 as National STD Awareness Month, and recognizes April 10, 2014,
as National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.



   WHEREAS, Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a significant
health challenge facing the United States. New data from the federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that there
are more than 110 million total new and existing infections among men
and women across the nation; and
   WHEREAS, According to the CDC, there are an estimated 20 million
new infections of STDs annually; and
   WHEREAS, STDs place a significant economic strain on the United
States' health care system. The CDC conservatively estimates that the
lifetime cost of treating eight of the most common STDs contracted
in just one year is $15.6 billion; and
   WHEREAS, Many infections go undetected because they often have no
symptoms, but even STDs that do not have symptoms can have serious
health consequences. Undiagnosed and untreated infections cause
24,000 women to become infertile each year; and
   WHEREAS, Young people are disproportionately at risk of infection.
In 2013, Americans 15 to 24 years of age, inclusive, made up just 27
percent of the sexually active population, but accounted for 50
percent of the 20 million new STDs in the United States that year;
and
   WHEREAS, Stigma, inconsistent or incorrect condom use, limited
access to health care, and a combination of other factors contribute
to high rates of STDs among teens and young adults. In the United
States, almost 40 percent of new HIV infections are young people 13
to 29 years of age, inclusive; and
   WHEREAS, Some school districts provide condoms free of charge to
students through condom availability programs. Condoms are a proven
method for reducing transmission of STDs, including HIV; and
   WHEREAS, Consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can
reduce, though not eliminate, the risk of STD transmission. Other
effective strategies for reducing STD risk include abstinence from
sex, mutual monogamy, reducing the number of sexual partners, and
vaccination for certain diseases; and
   WHEREAS, For all individuals who are sexually active, particularly
young people, STD screening and prompt treatment, if infected, are
critical to protect a person's health and prevent transmission to
others; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes April as National
STD Awareness Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes April 10, 2014, as
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.