Teen sex seminar offers help to parents

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is sponsoring a series of seminars to educate parents on how to talk to their teens about sexually transmitted diseases.

The number of young men and women who are affected by sexually transmitted infections or diseases continues to rise in Salt Lake County. Adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 are most commonly affected.

"Talking to your teen about their sexual health may be one of the hardest things you ever do as a parent … or maybe, don't do," said Lynn Beltran, the department's HIV/STD program manager.

With hopes to stem the rising number of cases, thedepartment is holding the seminars in the five regions in the county with the highest rates of STDs among teens and young adults:

Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 S. 900 West, Glendale.English: Wednesday, July 29, 6 p.m. Spanish: Monday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m.

Northwest Community Center, 1300 W. 300 North, Rose Park. English: Tuesday, July 28, 6 p.m. Spanish: Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m.

Copperview Community Center, 8446 S. Harrison St., Midvale. English: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. Spanish: Monday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.

Redwood Recreation Center, 3100 S. Redwood Road, West Valley City. English: Tuesday, Aug. 11, 6 p.m. Spanish: Thursday, July 30, 6 p.m.

Kearns Recreation Center, 5670 S. 4800 West, Kearns.English: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 p.m.

For more information on the STD / HIV program, visit www.slvhealth.org or call 801-534-4600.