There's an epidemic among our young people no one wants to talk about: sexually transmitted diseases. The stark reality is that one in two sexually active young people will contract an STD by age 25. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates half the 19 million new STD cases annually are in this age group.
Untreated, STDs can lead to an increased risk of cancer, infertility and HIV/AIDS. This is a serious public health issue, especially since many STDs do not have any obvious symptoms and could go undetected for years.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States. In Athens County, cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea have decreased in 2008 from 2007, according to the latest research by the Ohio Department of Health. ODH research also found that the number of syphilis cases remained the same. Prevention education and testing help to keep our young people healthy.
GYT - Get Yourself Tested, Get Yourself Talking - is a multi-media campaign targeting young people under the age of 25 to talk with their health care providers and their partners about STDs and getting tested for them.
For the second year, Planned Parenthood is teaming up with the Kaiser Family Foundation, MTV Networks and the CDC to promote GYT during the month of April, which is National STD Awareness Month.
For answers to questions about STDs, their symptoms and the closest testing location, go to www.gytnow.org
It truly could be a life-saving click of your mouse.
Lisa Guest Perks is the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio, Inc.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
