Older adults and STIs
We are thrilled to share this article and resource by high school senior Seohee Lee.
Older adults and STIs
When I first learned that STI rates are rising among older adults (especially syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia), I was surprised by how rarely the issue is discussed. Many seniors never received proper sex education when they were younger, because conversations about sex were often considered inappropriate. As a result, they often lack clear and accurate information about sexual health as their bodies and relationships change over time.
This problem felt very personal to me after hearing my Korean grandmother explain that she did not learn about her reproductive body until she gave birth to my mom. Her experience helped me see that this was a larger public health issue shaped by decades of silence and stigma around sex. I wanted to help create resources that respect older adults and support them as active decision makers in their own health while breaking the stigma that older people do not engage in sexual intercourse.
To address this need, I developed a senior-focused STI awareness toolkit. I worked closely with a Sexuality Ph.D of California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). I reached out to health educators to learn which topics are often missed and why these conversations can be difficult. Using their advice on specific wordings and gender inclusiveness, I created materials that explain STI prevention, testing, symptoms, and age related body changes in simple and nonjudgemental language.
Sex education often stops in the teenage years even though people’s bodies, relationships, and health risks continue to change throughout life. Through RISE: Healthy for Life, I hope to expand access to lifelong sex education that reminds people that understanding your own health matters at every age.
The resource
Seohee welcomss anyone who is interested to use and adapt this resource. Dr. Nathalie Huitema, a sexual health expert, reviewed it for accuracy, and RISE reviewed the language and content from an instructional perspective.
About Seohee
Hi! My name is Seohee Lee, and I am a high school senior in California interested in public health. I became interested in senior sexual health literacy after having a conversation with my grandmother about her lack of sexual health knowledge and how many other seniors also share the same story. Since creating my toolkit, I’ve shared it with educators and organizations who were delighted to share it with their patients/members. The responses have been very encouraging, and many people have appreciated the focus on an overlooked population. At school, I’m involved in the swim team and K-pop dance club. After high school, I hope to study public health and pursue a career in health that focuses on prevention and equity.