The Real World of STD Prevention Bridging science and practice in STD prevention
Scientific evidence shapes best practices—but applying that evidence in real‑world settings is rarely straightforward.
The Real World of STD Prevention is a special section in Sexually Transmitted Diseases that focuses on how research is translated into clinical and prevention practice. This section highlights the complex, often non‑linear path between scientific discovery and implementation in programs, clinics, and communities.
Journal Special Section
Practice‑Focused Scholarship
Translating scientific research into practice involves more than identifying what works under ideal conditions. In real‑world STD prevention and clinical care, implementation is shaped by a wide range of factors, including:
Feasibility in clinical and program settings
Cost and funding realities
Workforce capacity and training
Available infrastructure and resources
As a result, the adoption of evidence‑based practices is rarely linear. The Real World of STD Prevention exists to explore this complexity and make it visible, rigorous, and actionable.
Open Access and Shared Distribution
The Real World of STD Prevention is a collaborative effort between Sexually Transmitted Diseases (the journal), and STD Prevention Online.
Articles published in this section are made available free of charge, simultaneously on both platforms. This model ensures that practice‑focused research reaches clinicians, program leaders, and public health professionals where they already engage.
Submission and Participation
Readers of the journal and members of STD Prevention Online are encouraged to consider submitting manuscripts that address the realities of STD prevention and clinical practice.
Submissions may be solicited or unsolicited and are evaluated using the journal’s standard editorial and peer‑review criteria.