Teen Health: A F.U.T.U.R.E. without STD's

Many industrialized nations have eliminated syphilis within their populations and the Centers for Disease Control state that syphilis is at its lowest incidence rate ever in the United States. However, within Cook County, incidence occurrence is still very high. The Illinois Department of Public Health noted 324 Cook County cases in 1999 and 42 of those cases occurred in suburban Cook County (Illinois Department of Public Health Website, June 2001). Although the level of incidence declined slightly from 1998 to 1999, when compared with other Illinois counties, many of which experienced either no new or only single digit occurrences, Cook County syphilis cases statistics reach alarming proportions.

With syphilis occurring 22 times greater rate within African-Americans than white Americans, African-American communities must take notice. According the 2000 Census, Ford Heights has a population of 3,456 individuals

Don't Gamble CD Cover Collage

and of that 3,314 persons identified themselves as Black or African-American. That is almost 96% of the population within Ford Heights. Also, slightly over 30% of Ford Height's population is between the ages of 10 - 25 years and according to the American Social Health Association, two-thirds of all STD cases occur in people age 25 or younger (ibid.). With these statistics, Ford Heights is a community in need of a syphilis elimination initiative.

Syphilis Elimination Compact Disk Release
The purpose of this intervention is to reach young adults, ages 14 - 25, through music and also to recruit young adults from the same age group into the fight against syphilis. To this effort, a project was established to produce a musical selection that will address the dangers, causes, prevention and treatment of syphilis. The CD contains,

Download a music sample of the CD mp3 file - Don't Gamble (179kb) Windows Media - Don't Gamble (479kb)

one song, created and recorded at F.U.T.U.R.E. Studios, and will also couch a 2 minute public service announcement that lists local resources and hotlines. Approximately 2,000 copies made for free distribution. The initial distribution will be made at the December Teen Summit, which will also serve as the release party. Remaining copies will be distributed to local elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, doctor's offices, bars and nightclubs. Copies will also be given to area college radio stations and Chicago area radio stations. F.U.T.U.R.E. oversaw the production of the CD, and recruited youth leaders and aspiring musicians within the community will be sought to assemble the CD production crew to write lyrics, arrange music and record the CD.

The success of this project will be measured by number of copies distributed, number of attendees at release party, number of participating radio stations, number of appointments made with staff, number of contacts made via phone or walk-in within one week of intervention and number of times public service announcement or track aired.

F.U.T.U.R.E. Fact F.U.T.U.R.E. serves approximately 100 low income youths, providing after school activities to youth between the times of 3p.m. to 9p.m., longer than any agency dedicated to serving youth in Ford Heights.

Programs should hire skilled and qualified staff that are experienced in working with school-age children. Programs should also provide attractive compensation and work scheduling packages to retain quality staff.