By now, we’re all aware of the importance of sexual consent. We’re more open than ever when it comes to talking about sexual orientation, casual sex, and common sex issues. In saying that, there much to be desired when it comes to the conversation surrounding our status; in turn, having real implications on the next generation, the ‘Yes Means Test’ campaign from the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) argues.
In fact, per the CDC, the rise in rates of sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea are alarming — at an unprecedented high. Even more shocking, Black women are 5.4 times more likely to have chlamydia than White women. African American men are 6.8 times more likely to have chlamydia than White men.
Furthermore, 42 percent of reported gonorrhea cases occur in Black people. That means our community is 9.6 times more likely to contract chlamydia than others.
So, why is it that 1 in 2 sexually active people get an STD by the age of 25? Research indicated that fewer than 12 percent of young people admit they’ve been tested in the past year.
“America’s worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,” Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention said in a press release. “STDs affect people in all walks of life, particularly young women and men, but these data suggest an increasing burden among gay and bisexual men.”
That’s why the American Sexual Health Association has launched “YES Means TEST.
“The Yes Means TEST is really the national initiative to empower young people who have said yes to having sex to also say yes to getting tested,” women’s health expert Dr. Maria Trent of Johns Hopkins, told BlackDoctor.org
“Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise nationally for young people – including treatable diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea. So, it’s important that young people know that they can get tested and treated and empower them to seek care to get around this issue with their primary care providers,” Dr. Trent explained.
“But, the key is young people aren’t getting tested at rates that we’d expect. So, this campaign [which targets 18-24-year olds] is really to encourage them to take control of their health.”
Many STDs may not have symptoms, meaning you can have one and have no idea. And it doesn’t matter how you’re hooking up – they can be transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex – even genital skin-to-skin contact.
Dr. Trent also attributes the rise in STDs to “a discomfort” in the United States when it comes to talking about sex.
“Often times young people are reluctant to disclose their sexual behavior in the context of medical visits – if they don’t feel like it’s a safe place to do that or if they feel like they are going to be judged,” said Dr. Trent. She added that, “Sometimes, for the younger cohort, they’re concerned about cost – but I think that this campaign does a nice job of really giving young people a resource.”
In addition to checking in with your primary care provider, Dr. Trent suggests visiting www.yesmeanstest.org, where you’ll be prompted to enter your zip code to locate a center which can provide them with confidential, free or low-cost testing for sexually transmitted diseases. “Not only does this campaign raise awareness, but it also gives them [sexually active] the opportunity to get a resource to go to, where they can carry it out.”
Still not convinced? Per the CDC, getting your annual check-up (in addition to strapping up) can reduce your risk of contracting STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea which undiagnosed can lead to lifelong repercussions for a woman’s reproductive health, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility,” says Gail Bolan, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention.
To reduce STDs, sexually active individuals must protect themselves with a combination of testing and treatment per CDC’s recommendations, using condoms consistently and correctly, and limiting the number of sex partners are all effective strategies for reducing the risk of infection and consequences to health.
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