Abstinence Education and CDC's 2007 STD Surveillance Report
The 2007 STD Surveillance Report was released by the CDC in January 2009.[1] This report highlighted a rise in the national rates for chlamydia, the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection (STI). As in previous years, chlamydia appears to be affecting certain populations disproportionately. The highest prevalence of chlamydia occurs in females aged 15-24 years. Chlamydia also affects minority populations more than in white populations. Chlamydia rates among blacks and Hispanics are 8.6 and 2.9 times greater, respectively, than rates among whites.Gonorrhea, the second most commonly reported STI, has remained stable over the last 10 years. As with chlamydia, gonorrhea rates are higher in 15- to 19-year-old females than males the same age. And like chlamydia, gonorrhea affects minority populations more than the white population. Similar to previous years, blacks have rates 19.1 times higher than whites. Rates among Hispanics were 2 times greater than in whites. Clearly, STI rates in the US are much higher than desired. These findings become more compelling when considering the disproportionate burden on minority populations, adolescents, and young adults. Some press reports have laid blame on abstinence education for the rise in STI rates. But, is this supported by the evidence? ***To read more of this Feature Article, please join Medical Institute On-Line today! All members receive access to Feature Articles, as well as many other on-line resources. Click here to find out more about becoming a member.***
|
What We Do
