With the start of a new year, and a new decade, many teens tend to look back over the last year and think about what changes they would like to make for 2010.  Whether it be making an effort to spend more time with family, deciding to eat healthier snacks after school, or maybe taking up a new sport or extra-curricular activity, now is the perfect time to make health your New Year’s resolution.

Here are a few ideas to help get your new year to a [sexually] healthy start:

1.       Know Where You Can Go For Current, Accurate STD Info. If you’ve had questions regarding sexuality and reproductive health, visiting us at THEDAILYRISK.com (your local teen source for STD info) was your first step toward educating[1] yourself and others about the daily risks and how to avoid STDs. Can’t find the topic or info? Register as a member and get access to our message boards—where you can ask questions and get answers from local experts!

2.       Know Your [STD] Risk. Take a sexual health risk assessment to know what risks you may have and what steps you should take to make this year a healthy one.

3.       Get Tested and Treated for STDs. Because chlamydia and gonorrhea is common among teens (15-19 years of age), and most people have no signs or symptoms, it is especially important to get you and your partner tested. Here are some general guidelines that may help determine your testing schedule. 

DID YOU KNOW? If you recently tested positive for an STD, you can get help telling your partner and they can get help with treatment. For Partner Notification Services and partner treatment options, contact your local health department at 509-324-1494 or read the following to learn more.  (EPT)

4.       Know Your Rights to Confidential Health Care. Washington teens 14 years and older have the right to testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV) without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. To learn more.

5.       Talk About Sex. Many teens go to their parents or a trusted adult for info about sex. It is equally important to talk with your partner or potential partner about questions, expectations, and personal plans. 

6.       Monogamy or Abstinence?¹ Whether you are making this decision before, during, or after a relationship, it’s important to know and communicate what is best for you. We recommend you talk through your decisions, plans and expectations with a trusted adult as well as your current or potential partner. Abstinence is the only sure way to avoid an STD.

7.       Protect Yourself.¹ Practicesafer sex by correctly and consistently using a condom to effectively prevent STDs. Remember to use a new condom/barrier with each sex act (genital, oral, or anal) and only use water or silicone-based lubricants. If you and/or your partner find this challenging to talk about, here are some helpful tips.

8.       Become Vaccinated.¹ There are vaccines available for Genital HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Hepatitis A and B. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the HPV Vaccine GARDASIL for males 9-26 years old for the prevention of genital warts.[2] The Hepatitis A & B vaccines are also recommended, if you have not been previously vaccinated. Click here to learn more about viral hepatitis. Consult with your primary healthcare provider or a participating clinic or provider through THEDAILYRISK.com.

9.       Educate Your Peers. The Spokane Regional Health District will be hosting Spokane Teen Videofest (TVF) 2010. If you like to make videos and think you have what it takes to win this year’s event, be sure to visit often for upcoming registration information. In the meantime, be sure to check out the videos from last year.

10.   Become Part of the Solution. We atTHEDAILYRISK.com know that young people can make a difference. Be an advocate—you and your peers have the right to accurate, comprehensive sexual health information. We’d like to highlight teens in our communities that are speaking up and taking action for positive changes in areas such as teen healthcare rights and sex education in schools. Do you or someone you know have a story you’d like to share? Send it and make sure you check out the latest stories online.