The North Georgia Health District has joined partners nationwide in recognizing STI Awareness Week (April 12–18, 2026), an annual observance focused on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging prevention, testing, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
STIs continue to affect individuals across all populations and are often present without symptoms. Through this week-long campaign, the Health District is emphasizing the importance of routine screening, open communication, and timely care to protect individual and community health.
Key messages throughout this week have included:
- Normalizing STI screening, even for those without symptoms
- Promoting patient education and risk reduction strategies, including safer sex practices and prevention options
- Reducing stigma through supportive, person-centered messaging
- Encouraging timely treatment, partner notification, and follow-up care
“Public health plays a critical role in ensuring access to accurate information, testing, and treatment,” according to North Georgia Health District officials. “By reducing stigma and increasing awareness, we can help more individuals feel empowered to take charge of their sexual health.”
Residents are encouraged to follow the North Georgia Health District on social media throughout the week for daily educational messages and resources on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
For more information about STI Awareness Week, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: https://www.cdc.gov/sti-awareness/index.html.
Additional educational resources are available from the American Sexual Health Association at https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/april-is-sti-awareness-month/.
To learn more about STI testing and services available in North Georgia, visit: www.nghd.org.