Sex+Health Sex+Health

In this episode we talk with Lillian Kreppel, whose diagnosis with stage III anal cancer led her to become a passionate advocate for patients. She's the Executive Director and co-founder of the HPV Cancers Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the spectrum of HPV-associated cancers, including among the medical community.

HPV Cancers Alliance: https://hpvca.org/lillians-story/
ASHA's HPV Q&A: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/human_papilloma_virus/

More than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2022. In this episode of the Sex+Health podcast, we talk with Laura H. Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of STD Prevention, for her thoughts on what's driving the epidemic and why sexually transmitted infections much be treated as a public health priority.

In part three of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Laura Graham Holmes, Ph.D., about health disparities, sexuality, and research. Dr. Laura Graham Holmes is a clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor at CUNY Hunter College in the Silberman School of Social Work. She is a nationally recognized expert on sexuality and relationships for autistic people. She has published 30 peer-reviewed papers. Her passion is co-designing peer-facilitated interventions with and for autistic people on aspects of life that are important but under-supported, such as healthy relationships, sexual health, LGBTQIA+ identity, and substance use.
LINK:
https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/staff-members/holmes-laura-g/

In part two of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Nellie Galindo, MSW, MPH, and AASECT Professional Member, about implicit bias and ableism. She is the founder of Accessible Sexual Health, which is a mission-driven organization that seeks to advance access to comprehensive sex education for people with disabilities. She provides training, resources, and consultation for organizations and individuals who are seeking comprehensive, sex-positive, neurodiverse-affirming, and disability-centered sexual health education.

LINKS:
Website: https://www.accessiblesexualhealth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accessiblesexualhealth/

Studies referenced in the episode:
Kolata, G. (2022, October 19). These doctors admit they don’t want patients with disabilities. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/19/health/doctors-patients-disabilities.html

Parekh, T., Gimm, G., & Kitsantas, P. (2023). Sexually transmitted infections in women of reproductive age by disability type. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(3), 393–404. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074937972200530X
Brennand, E. A., & Santinele Martino, A. (2022). Disability is associated with sexually transmitted infection: Severity and female sex are important risk factors. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 31(1), 91–102. https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/full/10.3138/cjhs.2021-0053?role=tab

Schmidt, E. K., Hand, B. N., Simpson, K. N., & Darragh, A. R. (2019). Sexually transmitted infections in privately insured adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of comparative effectiveness research, 8(8), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2019-0011 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30838884/

In part one of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, about sex education. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals, parents, and individuals to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators.
Links:
Organization: https://www.elevatustraining.com/
Resources: https://www.elevatustraining.com/resources-2/

In this episode we chat with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kristal DeSantis, M.A., about men, relationships, and masculinity in the modern world. Ms. DeSantis, a psychotherapist and sex educator, is author of the book STRONG: The Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man.
LINKS:
Kristals DeSantis: https://www.austinstrongrbc.com/meet-kristal
Krista's Book: https://www.austinstrongrbc.com/strong-the-book