STD education is a hot topic in St. Louis, Missouri. The blues and barbecue-loving city has been ranked second in a survey of STD prevalence in America.
In order to combat this issue, the city's health department is taking a creative new approach to STD education: St. Louis is educating its barbers on how to have conversations about sexual health and transmittable diseases. The idea is that most clients have an intimate relationship with their barber. They see a barber as a neutral party in whom they can confide and a haircut is an occasion to share stories and seek advice. In the case that a client mentions potentially unsafe sex, barbers throughout St. Louis will now be equipped to offer some sound STD education.
Health professionals are constantly finding new ways to work STD education into the lives of young people naturally and comfortably. This is the latest example of the many initiatives that break the boundaries of traditional healthcare to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases.
STD Education Barbershops
This St. Louis Health Initiative Enlists Barbers for STD Education
Trend Themes
1. Barber-led STD Education - Training barbers to provide STD education creates a unique opportunity for proactive and confidential conversations with clients.
2. Creative Approaches to Public Health Initiatives - Innovative initiatives like educating barbers demonstrate the potential for unconventional methods to address public health issues.
3. Integration of Healthcare and Everyday Environments - Bringing STD education to barbershops highlights the importance of integrating healthcare into familiar and comfortable settings.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Healthcare providers can explore partnerships with barbershops to extend their educational reach and provide accessible health information.
2. Salon and Barbering - The salon and barbering industry can leverage their existing client relationships to contribute to community health by offering STD education.
3. Public Health - Public health organizations can adopt creative approaches, such as working with barbershops, to promote awareness and education around STDs.