Website for STD education aims to increase awareness

The Colorado Department of Health recently launched a new website to provide students with information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) outside of the classroom, according to a recent article published by KRDO News.

The news source reported that MyLifeColorado.com will engage young people between the ages of 13 and 24 in education that is based on the three most common STDs among the state's youth, which are gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.

"We encourage adults and youths to review the information and then have conversations. Unfortunately, many young people learn from their peers and that's not always accurate or appropriate," health department spokesperson Ralph Wilmoth told the news organization.

Teens who can access professional sexual health information from the privacy of their homes may be more likely to use proper prevention methods or seek necessary testing.

Nearly half of high school students have engaged in intercourse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, many do not practice safe sex.

The CDC found that 14 percent of sexually active teens have had four or more partners and 34 percent did not use a condom during their last encounter.

Anyone who would like to be screened for sexual infections may consider using confidential online testing services.