Before AIDS, the role of behavioral interventions in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases was acknowledged in text books and journals but rarely promoted effectively in public health practice. Informed by a comprehensive knowledge of behavioral theory, intervention methods, and affected populations, the authors of this important book examine the central role of behavioral interventions in combating STDs. The book addresses the complexities and social contexts of human behaviors which spread STDs, the cultural barriers to STD education (ranging from conservative mores to "stay out of my bedroom" libertarianism), and the sociopolitical nuances surrounding treatment. Over forty contributors offer a practical appraisal of what is being done now and what can be improved, such as: an overview of current behavioral and biomedical interventions for STD prevention and control, a discussion of what works for individuals, groups, and communities, up to date thinking about such traditional prevention approaches as partner notification and health care seeking, STD prevention strategies with high-risk populations, including drug users, gay men, teenagers, incarcerated persons, and persons with repeat infections, the state of prevention technology: condoms, vaccines, the Internet, ethical, economic, and policy issues in STD prevention, applying intervention models to real-world situations, guidelines for program evaluation and improvement.

As STDs and AIDS remain top priorities for public health and private sector practitioners, researchers, and educators, "Behavioral Interventions for Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases" gives a long-neglected field theattention it deserves. This authoritative resource is sure to influence public health practice and policy in an ever-evolving social climate.

Despite effective approaches to prevention, STD and HIV infection rates remain fairly constant. Targeting, implementation, and monitoring of interventions have posed widespread problems, and the recent spate of cuts to prevention budgets has made these roadblocks even more challenging. It is clear that working in sexual health requires both a deeper understanding of STI/HIV epidemiology and an ongoing quest for up-to-date, realistic prevention strategies. The New Public Health and STD/HIV Prevention offers readers leading-edge access to both. Focusing on social determinants of sexual health, at-risk populations, critical factors in approaches to prevention, and reviews of new research, this authoritative volume explores areas as varied as HPV prevention, technology-based interventions, migration as a factor in disease transmission, and competencies key to effective leadership in the field. Dispatches from the frontlines of theory, research, and practice in the U.S. and abroad include: Personal risk, public impact: balancing individual rights and STD/HIV prevention. Distribution of prevention resources and its impact on sexual health. Prevention measures in diverse populations of women. Toward a better approach to preventive interventions with men who have sex with men. Adolescent sexual health and STIs. Reducing disparities in sexual health: lessons from the campaign to eliminate infectious syphilis. Public health professionals of all backgrounds interested in or working in improving sexual health will find The New Public Health and STD/HIV Prevention an indispensable guide to conceptualizing the problems and clarifying possible solutions.

Before AIDS, the role of behavioral interventions in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases was acknowledged in text books and journals but rarely promoted effectively in public health practice. Informed by a comprehensive knowledge of behavioral theory, intervention methods, and affected populations, the authors of this important book examine the central role of behavioral interventions in combating STDs. The book addresses the complexities and social contexts of human behaviors which spread STDs, the cultural barriers to STD education (ranging from conservative mores to stay out of my bedroom libertarianism), and the sociopolitical nuances surrounding treatment. Over forty contributors offer a practical appraisal of what is being done now and what can be improved, such as: an overview of current behavioral and biomedical interventions for STD prevention and control, a discussion of what works for individuals, groups, and communities, up to date thinking about such traditional prevention approaches as partner notification and health care seeking, STD prevention strategies with high-risk populations, including drug users, gay men, teenagers, incarcerated persons, and persons with repeat infections, the state of prevention technology: condoms, vaccines, the Internet, ethical, economic, and policy issues in STD prevention, applying intervention models to real-world situations, guidelines for program evaluation and improvement.

As STDs and AIDS remain top priorities for public health and private sector practitioners, researchers, and educators, Behavioral Interventions for Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases gives a long-neglected field the attention it deserves. This authoritative resource is sure to influence public health practice and policy in an ever-evolving social climate."

Despite effective approaches to prevention, STD and HIV infection rates remain fairly constant. Targeting, implementation, and monitoring of interventions have posed widespread problems, and the recent spate of cuts to prevention budgets has made these roadblocks even more challenging. It is clear that working in sexual health requires both a deeper understanding of STI/HIV epidemiology and an ongoing quest for up-to-date, realistic prevention strategies. The New Public Health and STD/HIV Prevention offers readers leading-edge access to both. Focusing on social determinants of sexual health, at-risk populations, critical factors in approaches to prevention, and reviews of new research, this authoritative volume explores areas as varied as HPV prevention, technology-based interventions, migration as a factor in disease transmission, and competencies key to effective leadership in the field. Dispatches from the frontlines of theory, research, and practice in the U.S. and abroad include: Personal risk, public impact: balancing individual rights and STD/HIV prevention. Distribution of prevention resources and its impact on sexual health. Prevention measures in diverse populations of women. Toward a better approach to preventive interventions with men who have sex with men. Adolescent sexual health and STIs. Reducing disparities in sexual health: lessons from the campaign to eliminate infectious syphilis. Public health professionals of all backgrounds interested in or working in improving sexual health will find The New Public Health and STD/HIV Prevention an indispensable guide to conceptualizing the problems and clarifying possible solutions.