On behalf of the Community Restoring Urban Youth Sexual Health (CRUSH), MDH is sending the following release.

Today is third annual statewide Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing Day

The Community Restoring Urban Youth Sexual Health (CRUSH) coalition is hosting its third annual Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing Day today. In addition to raising public awareness of the impact that sexually transmitted infections have on youth in Minnesota, the goal of the day is to help youth take charge of their sexual health by increasing access to free and low-cost sexual health education, testing and treatment. A complete list of participating clinic locations providing free testing is available at CRUSH.

As recently reported in an MDH news release, rates of all three reportable STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) continue to rise at an alarming rate both nationally and in Minnesota. Of particular concern are significant increases in new cases of syphilis and gonorrhea in Minnesota last year.

Young people are disproportionately burdened by sexually transmitted infections, especially youth of color and American Indian youth, as well as young people from communities experiencing social, economic and health-related inequalities. These youth are among the most vulnerable populations within Minnesota, and experience significantly higher STI rates than other populations in Minnesota.

The elimination of these disparities and inequities is crucial to ensure a brighter future for Minnesota’s young people, CRUSH officials said. The CRUSH partnership works to raise awareness of this critical issue, and improve the sexual health of young people in Minnesota’s most impacted communities. CRUSH is a partnership of youth-serving organizations, Youth Council members and community members formed in mid-2013 to address the increasing rates of chlamydia infections among teens and young adults.

STI Testing Day aims to reduce the stigma of getting an STI test and to connect sexually active youth ages 13-25 to clinics and preventive services near them in Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties and in Greater Minnesota.

In a proclamation marking this year's observance, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton called for all Minnesotans to strongly support National STI Awareness Month and to get involved with initiatives such as the MN STI Testing Day to protect the sexual health of youth in rural and urban communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on STI Testing Day and to learn more about Minnesota’s rising STI rates, please visit CRUSH online.

Media inquiries:
Please contact CRUSH leadership:
J’Mag Karbeah, STI Testing Day Coordinator, 414-721-8945 or jmag.karbeah@state.mn.us 
Mark Campbell, CRUSH Co-Chair, 612-964-1770 or mcampbell@ywcampls.org
Trina Pearson, CRUSH Co-Chair, 763-400-1943 or trina@annexteenclinic.org