CLU professor to discuss stigma of STDs

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Adina Nack, a medical sociologist who specializes in sexual health and social psychology, will give a presentation titled “Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Stigma and the Cervical Cancer Vaccine” in Lundring Events Center.

Photo: Brian Stethem

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Sept. 8, 2008) A California Lutheran University professor will discuss the stigma associated with sexually transmitted diseases and how it has shaped the cervical cancer vaccine at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Adina Nack, a medical sociologist who specializes in sexual health and social psychology, will give a presentation titled “Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Stigma and the Cervical Cancer Vaccine” in Lundring Events Center. The Thousand Oaks resident is the author of “Damaged Goods? Women Living with Incurable Sexually Transmitted Diseases,” which was published in July by Temple University Press. The book is based on her in-depth interviews with 43 women about their identities and sexuality with regard to the chronic illnesses that affect more than 15 million Americans. She traces the stages women go through, from the anxiety of being diagnosed with an STD to the issues of blame and shame.

Nack will discuss how incurable STDs such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections affect how individuals see themselves as sexual beings and how they make decisions about the future. She will discuss her new book and show why infected women often feel that they are “damaged goods” and question their ability to have happy relationships and healthy children. The author will also address the facts and fiction about the new STD vaccines.

Nack, who earned a doctorate in sociology, got involved in sexual health education after being diagnosed with a cervical HPV infection. She has worked in the field for the past 13 years as an outreach worker, health educator, sexuality studies professor and researcher. She has taught at CLU since 2003 and was the founding director of the university’s Center for Equality and Justice. She is a member of Ventura County’s HIV/AIDS Coalition, the United Way’s Health Focus Team and the United Women’s Leadership Council. She has been the lead organizer of the World AIDS Day events in Ventura County for the past four years and will be honored this month for her sexual health work as the Ventura County Volunteer of the Year by Planned Parenthood.

A book signing and reception will follow Nack’s talk. Lundring Events Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice, Wellness Programs and Sociology Department are sponsoring the free presentation. For more information, contact the Center for Equality and Justice at (805) 493-3694, e-mail cej@callutheran.edu or visit www.adinanack.com.