Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect more than just the individuals who contract them. They are health concerns of the general public without a simple solution, mainly because STDs thrive on variation in human behavior. In the United States, STDs often operate covertly and have substantial economic and health consequences. In fact, STDs are widespread and cross all demographic lines. Therefore, it is easy to see that everyone is affected by these conditions, whether directly or indirectly. Quite simply, STDs continue to influence the quality of life of Americans in a number of ways. Increasing awareness of the impact of STDs among medical practitioners, researchers, economists, and the general public has prompted better understanding of how STDs are transmitted, the patterns formed by the spread of ...