Statistics recently released by the Sacramento County Health Department and the CDC show that the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported each year is rising, and has been over the last two decades. While there have been periodic decreases in certain STDs, for the past 6 years the rates for all transmittable diseases have been steadily rising.
After dropping slight in the first quarter of 2016 Chlamydia rates are on the rise. The majority of incidents are occurring in women ages 18 to 24, but the rates are starting to increase in teens as well. When it comes to Gonorrhea men account for the majority of cases, but the rates are rising in both males and females under the age of 25.
While local and state health officials expected to see spikes in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea rates, there were not prepared for the sharp increase in Syphilis diagnoses. In a 2 year period from 2013 to 2015 the number of males that tested positive for Syphilis nearly doubled in the county, giving the metro area one of the highest rates in the state. Unlike the other commonly transmitted sexual diseases that occur mainly in teens and young adults, males over the age of 25 account for the majority of the new Syphilis diagnoses each year. Unfortunately not only are they testing positive for Syphilis, but other STDs as well.
Some of the other statistics that highlight the growing STD problem, along with the need for regular testing include,
- From 2014 to 2015 the Syphilis rate nearly doubled, and surpassed state averages.
- In 2015 over 40 percent of the Chlamydia incidents reported in the county occurred in women ages 20 to 24.
- Men accounted for 52.7 percent of the Gonorrhea cases reported in 2015.
In an effort to lower the STD and teen pregnancy rate across the state lawmakers signed a bill into law requiring all public school districts to teach comprehensive sex education classes to all students starting in the 7th grade, unless they are opted out by a parent or guardian. The new sex education requirements went into effect at the start of the 2016 school year, and while it is too soon to start seeing results health officials and law makers are hopeful that the STD rates will soon start to decline.
In other parts of the state where sex education is a standard part of a student’s curriculum the STD and teen pregnancy rates have noticeably dropped, and officials are hopeful that this will soon be occurring in the metro area.
There are problems with the new legislation, most importantly is whether the public school districts will actually follow the new curriculum. Since there is only a limited oversight committee it is impossible for them to check up on every public school in the state, and this is especially true for the rural communities. Budget cuts have also make it impossible for many schools to afford the new material and this means there are still students who won’t learn how important regular HIV testing in Citrus Heights is for their continued good health. The same is also true regarding regular Herpes testing in Citrus Heights, even though the simple procedure could help prevent the spread of the disease.
Even though the new requirements for sex education in the classroom is a positive step towards education teens and young adults about the risks and responsibilities that come with being sexually active, it is still not enough to prevent the spread of STDs throughout this bedroom community.
Budget cuts beginning in 2008 to state and local health care programs has forced many STI clinics to close their doors, and this is making it difficult for residents to find a convenient place to get tested. When they do find a health center that is open the long lines has many people deciding that a STD test isn’t worth the wait. Lower income residents are finding it especially difficult to take care of their sexual health now that the simple test is no longer covered under Medicaid. This alone is thought to be one of the main contributing factors to the spike in STD rates over the last few years.
The growing popularity of online dating apps is also causing more residents to test positive each year with a sexually transmitted disease. It is even easier know for teens and adults to meet other people simply to “hook up” and most do not consider how risky this behavior can be for their sexual health. This is especially true when protection is not used.
Until these and other problems are addressed the number of sexually transmitted diseases in the city will continue to rise.
Before you decide to spend the day exploring the nearby state capitol it is important to take a few minutes to take care of your sexual health. The number of STDs reported each year is rising, and this means that regular testing is important. It is understandable if you don’t want to spend hours at a community STI clinic and now you don’t have to. With one simple phone call you can easily schedule confidential STD testing and only spend a few minutes at a conveniently located lab.