Get Tested

Just a few months ago, CNN did a story about sexually transmitted disease that I wish we all would read, digest, and then commit to bring about change. The article shed light on the impact of sexually transmitted infections (*STIs) among women (below is a link to the CNN story). It’s now 2020 and according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease (*STD) Surveillance Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia reached an all-time high in the United States in 2018 (since 1991); and women with chlamydia that goes untreated will likely develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; see CDC Fact Sheets).

So, let’s talk about why the rates are so high – because it didn’t “just” happen. According to the CDC, there are multiple reasons for the overall increase that include decreased condom use. Also, in recent years, more than half of local programs have experienced budget cuts, resulting in clinic closures, reduced screenings, staff loss, thus reduced patient follow-up and linkage to care services (see below, CDC, Rise of Sexually Transmitted Infections). See for yourself how devastating the impact of STDs are in this country. Find and compare your city’s STD rates with those provided below that represent national rates and for the metropolitan areas of “The DMV” (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia).