Medical Expert Warns Social Shame Fuels STI Spread

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Park Yoon-sun said that social shame and stigma contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during a recent broadcast.

Addressing these barriers is critical because the psychological burden of embarrassment often prevents individuals from seeking timely medical care and testing. This delay can lead to worsening health outcomes and an increase in community transmission rates.

During the 141st episode of "Medical Insight," which aired June 19 at 10:20 p.m. KST ^[1], Dr. Park said there is a connection between social perception and disease progression. "Today I have prepared a story about sexually transmitted infections, diseases that are grown by shame," Park said.

Host Park Sang-hoon said that prevention education is conducted annually across South Korea by local governments, public health centers, and medical institutions. He said that STIs are diseases transmitted through sexual contact and include a variety of conditions, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The program aimed to dismantle the social stigma surrounding these infections to encourage more proactive prevention and education. By framing STIs as medical issues rather than moral failings, health experts hope to increase the efficacy of public health initiatives.

The broadcast was distributed across multiple platforms to maximize reach. It was available on IPTV channels including GENIE TV 159, BTV 243, LG Uplus 145, and Skylife 90 ^[1]. It also aired on cable networks such as D'Live 138, Hyundai HCN 341, LG HelloVision 137, and BTV Cable 152 ^[1].