Philadelphia region counters sharp rise in STD rates nationwide

Recent years have seen the Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington regions record steady rates when it comes to sexually transmitted infections. Within the Philly region, there have been some cases of decline in the rates of infection.

But that is not reflected all over the country. The nationwide rates of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea have skyrocketed between 2014 and 2015 increasing by 6 to 20 percent. The figures are provided basing on the number of new infections for every 100,000 people.

Dr. Caroline Johnson, the deputy health commissioner in Philadelphia is of the opinion that local prevention campaigns targeting the youths have tremendously assisted the region to fight back the trend. These kinds of campaigns are significant considering young people aged 15 to 24 tend to be more sexually active and hard hit by the STDs.

What steps did the region take?

Johnson said that their “approach locally has always been to look aggressively for them (young people); to treat STD's very quickly. About 5 years ago we really took on a major initiative to push prevention messages especially to adolescences and young adults who seem to bare a lot of the burden of STD's.”

She explained that their efforts consist of TakeControlPHL social media strategy that makes it possible for teens to get access to free condoms online and also sending workers directly to the schools where they offer free STD testing and treatment.

That is not typical," she said. "Very few big cities run program like this, and when they do it it's just in a couple of schools. So, with the cooperation of the School District of Philadelphia we've been in all the public high schools for about 15 years."

Why is the nationwide infection on the rise?

The CDC has explained that the increasing rate of infection throughout the country is due to lack of proper funding of public health programmes.

CDC’s director of HIV/AIDs and STD Prevention, Jonathan Mermin, said that “STD prevention resources across the nation are stretched thin, and we’re beginning to see people slip through the public-health safety net.”

Syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea cases have shoot up all over the country by over 75 percent since 2011. This has seen an increase from 46 million infected patients to 75 million in 2015. All these can be cured using antibiotics.

Health officials have been worried by the growing trend as much as it is still lower than its World War II trend.

“We have reached a decisive moment for the nation,” said Mermin. “STD rates are rising, and many of the country’s systems for preventing STDs have eroded. We must mobilize, rebuild, and expand services -- or the human and economic burden will continue to grow.”

Apart from the government increasing funding in the public health, people have to take control individual health. Being accountable to your partner and taking preventive measures could see the rates fall.

 

Contributor: admin