Public Health Wants to Arm You with Facts during Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Albertina Walker
  • 2nd Medical Group Public Health Flight

April is sexually transmitted disease awareness month.  According to the annual 2017 statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are the most common diseases in the United States.

In 2017, there were more than two million STD cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the United States, surpassing the previous year by 200,000 cases. The three most common STDs have continued to increase sharply over the last four years. Louisiana is ranked No. 3 among all 50 states in the number of primary and secondary syphilis cases and gonorrhea infection cases; No. 2 for chlamydial infection cases; and No. 10 in the amount of HIV diagnoses. While these disease rates are lower across the United States, they continue to remain a problem in the state of Louisiana. 

As the rate for STD cases in the local area increase, so does the importance for individuals to get tested. For women who are interested in getting tested, they can report to the women’s health clinic at the 2nd Medical Group clinic during walk-in hours from 7:30-11:00 a.m. Monday-Friday. Men who would like to be tested should call the appointment line at 318-456-6555 to schedule a telephone consult or an appointment with their primary care manager team.

For information on STD education, treatment and preventive measures, please contact the public health office at 318-456-6599 or stop by the second floor of the 2nd MDG clinic, Building 4543, Room 2082.