std's
The number of people in the United States with sexually transmitted diseases increased in 2008, especially among teenagers. Last year, 1.8 million new cases of chlamydia were reported according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from 1.1 million cases in 2007. Girls ages 15 through 19 reported the largest number of new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea, about one in four of all such cases. Overall, the CDC estimates that there are roughly 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases annually, almost half among 15- to 24-year-olds. Furthermore, almost 1 in 4 teen girls (24.1%) in the United States has contracted an STD, and nearly 20% get infected within a year of their first sexual encounter. [msnbc.com, 11/16/09; HealthDay, 11/23/09 stats - Plugged In Online 12/1/09] After many years in decline, the rates of teens giving birth and contracting sexually transmitted diseases took a significant jump in 2006 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The data presented in this report indicate that many young persons in the United States engage in sexually risky behavior and experience negative reproductive health outcomes," CDC officials say. "Earlier progress appears to be slowing and perhaps reversing." The number of teens contracting HIV and syphilis have increased since 1997. Likewise, gonorrhea infection rates have leveled out after decreasing for more than two decades. [healthnews.com, 7/21/09 - Plugged In Online 7/31/09] 1 in 4 Teen Girls Has Sexually-Transmitted Disease, Gov’t Study Reveals
A federal study shows at least one in four teenage American girls has a sexually transmitted disease. The rate was 40 percent among girls who admitted having had sex -- about half of the girls in the study.
Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted the 2003-04 health survey among girls aged 14-19. They released the results Tuesday at a Chicago STD conference. It was the first study of its kind in this age group.
The teens were tested for four infections: human papilloma virus, or HPV (affecting the most teens at 18 percent); chlamydia (affecting 4 percent); trichomoniasis (affecting 2.5 percent); and genital herpes (2 percent).
Disease rates were significantly higher among black girls -- almost half had at least one STD, versus 20 percent among both whites and Mexican-Americans. [SOURCES: 3/11/08 - CitizenLink.com; 3/11/08 - FoxNews.com]
Chlamydia Hits Highest Level Ever in U.S.
Statistics show more than 1 million cases of chlamydia were reported in the U.S. last year, the most ever reported for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), according to Fox News.
Federal officials say gonorrhea rates also increased after a record low. Syphilis shows an increased rate too.
"It's vital that everyone understand how the increase in sexual activity at younger ages is skyrocketing the number of STIs in our country," said Linda Klepacki, sexual health analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Pre-teen and teenage girls are at much higher physical risk of contracting STIs than mature females. Youth should not be encouraged to be sexually active. "Parents need to teach their children about sexuality and the health that God built into His plan for sexuality." [SOURCE: 11/13/07 - CitizenLink.com] Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STD Surveillance – 2005 Special Focus Profiles: Adolescents and Young Adults Public Health Impact
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