Today is #SAAM Day of Action. 🌟 Most people who experience sexual violence report that someone they knew harmed them. Building a culture of consent, respect, and accountability is key to preventing violence. Learn more: https://www.nsvrc.org/saam-2026/

Many patients agree that sexual health questions should be part of a routine health history and want their providers to ask them. Find practical, streamlined sexual history questions and other tools for starting the conversation: https://bit.ly/PatientPocketCard

Go into sexual health conversations like you and your partner are on the same team. 🤝 Assume good intentions, even when you disagree, and focus on solutions, not winning. A positive mindset builds trust and reduces misunderstandings. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3O48sjA

Sexual health belongs in routine care. Feeling unsure about how to bring up sexual health with your patients? There are resources to help boost your comfort and skills with sexual health history-taking and conversations: https://bit.ly/4anOIPc

Sexual health convos are part of relationship maintenance. 🔧💬 They help you get on the same page about protection, boundaries, and comfort. Clear communication now can save a lot of overthinking and anxiety later. Learn more about why these talks matter: https://bit.ly/3Mu9jtk

Use “I” statements in tough conversations. ✨ 💬 Try: “I feel upset when” instead of “You’re making me upset.” It keeps the focus on your feelings, rather than blaming your partner, which could make them defensive from the get-go. Get more comms tips: https://owntheawk.org/learn/comms-101/

Not enough time to discuss sexual health during patient visits? Program sexual health prompts into your EHR and include sexual health questions on intake surveys. For tips on making time, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnvvBBuDM3Y&list=PLhJ-Oyv3ibs3zWw-33098DaQMl6NMg0cS&index=3

Not sure what to cover in a sexual health conversation with a partner? Consider: 🌀 STI testing and prevention 🌀 Safer sex options 🌀 Boundaries and consent 🌀 Your feelings, wants, and needs 🌀 Sexual likes and dislikes Go in-depth on these topics: https://owntheawk.org/

It’s best to talk about sexual health and safer sex before the heat of the moment. ❤️‍🔥🌶️This helps ensure everyone is clear-headed, can share what they want and need, and figure out if you’re on the same page. Learn more about starting these convos: https://owntheawk.org/learn/comms-101/

People with disabilities deserve accurate, comprehensive sexual health information and health care that meets their needs. 🌼Our Disability-Informed Care guide helps clinicians deliver compassionate care, foster patient autonomy, and tailor services: bit.ly/DisabilityInformedCare

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day🪶honors the strength of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities while bringing attention to the importance of HIV prevention, testing, and care to secure healthier futures. Learn more: https://www.nnhaad.org/ #NNHAAD

This #NNHAAD, we’re thinking about the significant impact of HIV on Native communities. HIV testing🧪, treatment🩺, and prevention💉 tools can help keep people and communities healthy. Learn more about these options: https://www.nnhaad.org/#NNHAAD

LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is a reminder that affirming care makes a difference. Health care providers have a responsibility to create welcoming, respectful healthcare environments for LGBTQ+ patients. 💖 Learn more about inclusive care: https://bit.ly/4aqjdUw

Good communication isn’t just what you say—it’s also how you listen. 👂✨ Give partner(s) your full attention, avoid interrupting, & let them finish their thoughts. When people feel understood, they feel supported. Learn more about active listening: health.clevelandclinic.org/active-liste...

Help increase patient comfort with discussing sexual health by saying you ask all your patients about it since it’s key to overall health. Then ask if they have any questions about their body or sexual health. Find more conversation starters: https://bit.ly/SexualHealthProviderGuide

Sexual health care should be stigma- and judgment-free. This #LGBTQHealthAwarenessWeek, we’re highlighting the importance of care that respects everyone’s identities, relationships, and experiences. 🌈 Learn more: healthlgbtq.org/awareness-week

Most patients want to discuss sexual health with their provider but are uncomfortable starting the conversation. Learn what patients want from providers in our new video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyvTIr2X3-E&list=PLhJ-Oyv3ibs3zWw-33098DaQMl6NMg0cS&index=1

A sexual health convo can go more smoothly when you know your own STI status & safer sex preferences first. ✅When was your last test? What protection do you want to use? What are your boundaries? Having clarity helps you speak confidently. Learn more: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

Have you talked with your health care provider about HIV testing? Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Some who could be at higher risk should test more frequently: https://ncshguide.nationalcoalitionforsexualhealth.org/

#DYK people of all genders, who don’t have HIV, can take PrEP to avoid getting HIV in the future? During National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, explore various HIV prevention methods and choose the ones that works for you: https://www.womenshealth.gov/hiv-and-aids/hiv-prevention#DYK

CDC estimates that 1.2M people in the U.S. have HIV and 263,900 (or about 22%) are women. Today, on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, join us in supporting women living with HIV. 🤝 womenshealth.gov/nwghaad #NWGHAAD

Talking about sexual health with your partner may feel awkward, but it’s an act of care. 💛 It builds trust, reduces anxiety, and helps protect everyone’s health. To learn about starting these conversations, check out owntheawk.org/

Inclusive sexual health care means disability-informed care. 🌱 This Developmental Disability Awareness Month, explore our new disability-informed care guide, a framework for providing respectful, accessible, and person-centered care: bit.ly/DisabilityInformedCare

Providers: having trouble discussing sexual health with your patients? Having a simple plan or script can help you confidently start these important conversations. For practical tools, check out: https://bit.ly/SexualHealthProviderGuide

Before talking about sexual health with your partner, check in with yourself. 🧠💛 Self-reflection will help clarify what you want to share or talk about, especially for conversations that feel awkward or difficult. Learn more: https://owntheawk.org/learn/feelings-wants-and-needs/

Just had a great safer sex convo with your partner? Now it’s time to put it into action! 💡Create a game plan with your methods, timeline, and who’s doing what, and confirm everyone's on the same page. Dive in on next steps: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month reminds us that real love never controls, hurts, or diminishes you. 💜 Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, and choice, not fear or pressure. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3O0NSAI #RealLoveRespects #TDVAM

Most patients want more from their providers on sexual health. In our on the street interviews, people said: “It’s important that [providers]...get the ball rolling so...their patient is more open.” Watch the interviews here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyvTIr2X3-E

💬Having a tough relationship talk? Ditch the distractions and give your partner(s) your full attention. Silence your phone, make 👀eye contact, lean in, and show you’re engaged with smiles, nods, and 👂active listening. Get more comms tips: https://bit.ly/OTAComms101

No one should pressure you to risk your sexual health. 🚫 If your partner isn’t on board with safer sex, it might be time to rethink things. Caring partners who won’t put your sexual health and well-being at risk. 💕 Explore more healthy relationship tips: bit.ly/SexualHealthActionSteps

Are condoms part of your safer sex lineup? External or internal, they can prevent both STIs and pregnancy. For the best protection, choose one made from latex, plastic, or synthetic rubber. Keep them handy and be ready! ✨Read more: https://bit.ly/3JgyePz

It’s National Condom Week! Condoms are a simple, effective way to help prevent STIs and unplanned pregnancy when used correctly and consistently. 🙂 Protection and healthy sexual relationships go together! Learn more: https://www.plannedparenthooddirect.org/article/celebrate-national-condom-week

The best Valentine’s gift? A relationship that respects your voice, boundaries, and worth. 💕 Remember: healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and mutual care. For tips and resources on how to build one, visit https://fiveactionsteps.nationalcoalitionforsexualhealth.org/4-2/

When you talk about using PrEP, condoms, birth control, and other safer sex methods, it can be helpful to use “I” and “Us” statements to make the convo feel more like teamwork. 👉 “You should” statements can come off as blaming or shaming. Read more tips: https://bit.ly/OTAComms101

Discussing safer sex before the heat of the moment helps you think clearly & stay true to your boundaries. To get ready, try to: ✏️Write down and practice what to say 🫣Admit the safer sex convo can be awk 💭Prepare for possible reactions Get more tips: https://bit.ly/3U19WdX

Talking about #safersex can be anxiety-producing, but it’s worth it! Usually, it’s best to chat face-to-face (with your clothes on!). But texting or calling can work if you trust your partner to keep messages and calls private. Dive into tips for the talk: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

When building your safer sex toolkit, reflect on your boundaries and non-negotiables. Ask yourself: ❓What’s on my yes, no, & maybe list of sexual activities? ❓Do I always want to use a barrier method? ❓Is PrEP a must for me or my partner? Learn more: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

Providers: Make a resolution to initiate sexual health conversations with your patients. You can start by getting practical tips from other providers. Check out our new video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H34McGt-ZgE&list=PLhJ-Oyv3ibs3zWw-33098DaQMl6NMg0cS&index=6

HIV prevention (like PrEP before exposure to HIV & PEP within 72 hours after exposure) & treatment are effective. People with HIV can live long, healthy lives. If the viral load becomes undetectable from treatment, you won’t transmit HIV via sex. https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/ #NBHAAD

Need help talking to your partner about STI testing? The 📞AwkLine has you covered! 🎥Watch how one couple navigates the testing topic: https://bit.ly/4nqfyuE #OwnTheAwk

Comebacks can be very handy if your partner isn’t on the same page about safer sex. Have responses ready for excuses like “It feels better without a condom” or “I don’t have any STIs. Don’t you trust me?” Check out some topic-specific options 👉 https://bit.ly/OwnTheAwkSTIs

Being in a relationship or having one partner doesn’t guarantee protection from STIs. By age 25, half of all sexually active people will get at least one STI, often without symptoms. STI testing is the only way to find out if you have one: https://bit.ly/4olmSct🩺

Want to use condoms with your partner, but unsure how to start the convo? 💬 Try saying: “I always use condoms with new partners to protect us both. It’s a win–win. How about you?” Looking for more convo starters? Check out http://bit.ly/42Trb61 #OwnTheAwk

Sometimes it’s best to talk in the heat of the moment. 🔥💬 If a condom breaks or falls off, mention it ASAP and take action, like stopping sex. You could say: “I think the condom broke. Can we pause and check?” Learn more: https://bit.ly/474SKfb

1 in 3 women & 1 in 6 men experience stalking in their lifetime. It’s not romantic, it’s dangerous. 🧡 Learn how to stay safe and support others Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/stalking-awareness-month/ #NSAM2025 #EndStalking

Want to start the safer sex convo? Try to find the best time and place: 😌Pick a private, relaxed setting 💕 Focus on the perks, like worry-free sex 🌟Stay relaxed and confident 🚫 Skip alcohol or drugs before so you can think clearly Learn more: bit.ly/SexualHealthActionSteps

“Safer sex” means using one or more tools 🧰, like condoms, birth control, PrEP, testing🩺, and vaccines, to reduce your risk of STIs/HIV and/or unintended pregnancy. There’s not one right way, just what works best for you. Explore your safer sex options: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

Safety is sexy. 😏 Check out your safer sex options, like condoms, PrEP, #STItesting, birth control, and vaccines, to lower risks of STIs and unplanned pregnancies and increase peace of mind in (and out of) the bedroom. 😘 Learn more about safer sex: https://owntheawk.org/learn/safer-sex/

Testing positive for an #STI can feel scary, but you’ve got really effective options for curing and/or managing them. 💕 Bacterial STIs, like chlamydia, can be cured, and viral ones, like herpes, can be well-managed. Find a testing site near you: gettested.cdc.gov#STI

Cervical cancer is preventable with routine screening & vaccination. 💉 Stay up to date on Pap & HPV tests to catch changes early. Learn more: https://www.nccc-online.org/cervical-health-awareness-month/ #CervicalHealthAwarenessMonth #HPV