About IUSTI, ASTDA, IUSTI-Canada & IUSTI-World

IUSTI

The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) was founded in 1923 and is the oldest international organization in the field. Its objective is the achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted infections. IUSTI World has five Regions: Africa and MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. At the regional level, IUSTI endorses a dual leadership model: a Regional Chair, who is the President of ASTDA, and a Regional Director, appointed by the IUSTI Executive Committee. Regional Chairs and Directors have seats on the IUSTI Executive Committee.

ASTDA

The mission statement for the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association (ASTDA) is “To foster scientific knowledge, develop leadership, and champion practice in the field of sexually transmitted infections.” ASTDA membership includes physicians, research scientists, nurses, public health professionals, and other STI investigators. Regular membership is open to any individual with an interest in the control and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The link for the ASTDA membership site can be found here.

The Relationship Between ASTDA, IUSTI-Canada, and IUSTI-North America

Founded in 1948, ASTDA is an autonomous professional scientific organization. ASTDA informally carried out Regional IUSTI responsibilities until 2015, when ASTDA and IUSTI-Canada were officially recognized as members of the IUSTI-North American Region. In a reciprocal exchange of information and respect, and to facilitate connection to IUSTI North America, the IUSTI Canada Vice-President serves as an ex officio voting member of the ASTDA Board of Directors, and the ASTDA Vice-President serves as an ex officio voting member of the IUSTI-Canada Executive Committee. Persons who join ASTDA or IUSTI-Canada automatically gain membership to IUSTI North America and IUSTI World. Members of ASTDA are welcome to join IUSTI-Canada, and members of IUSTI-Canada are welcome to join ASTDA.