STD’s Increase for Third Year in a Row

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC (2017), recently announced this year that cases of STD’s throughout the nation have increased for a third year in a row. This newly found data is worrisome for several number of reasons. Risky sexual behaviors are associated with increased susceptibility to chronic diseases and infections deterring an individual's overall health and well-being. These types of chronic diseases know no boundaries and can affect anyone. However, the groups of people who are at an increased risk are sexually active young individuals ages 15-24, the LGBTQIA community and pregnant women.

The CDC (2017), reported that 27,814 new cases of Syphilis were seen in 2016, which is a 17.6 percent increase from cases reported in 2015. In the same manner, HIV/AIDS is seen as a co-infectious agent of individuals who acquire Syphilis. Furthermore, the Texas HIV Surveillance 2016 Annual report, ranked El Paso county as the sixth county with the highest population of individuals living with HIV. Our region is susceptible to the health disparities associated with sexually transmitted diseases and their chronic conditions.

It is important to address the different health disparities found in our community. By doing so, we can identify the efforts needed to prevent and reduce health problems and the affects that risk factors can contribute to our local population.

By: Peer Educator Ariana Ramirez