Private MD News

States lack funding for STD testing

Category: Chlamydia

Despite an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported, many states are providing less and less funding for STD testing, a situation that experts say is allowing the problem to escalate.

Chlamydia rates have doubled in Minnesota over the past 12 years and more than 14,000 residents tested positive for the infection last year, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

Despite these rates, health departments have seen little increase in funding to institute new Chlamydia testing and prevention programs, according to the news provider.

"It isn't going to come from the Health Department," Candy Hadsall, an STD specialist with the state's health department, told the news source. "It's going to have to come from the people of Minnesota who say that having this level of chlamydia is unacceptable."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 1 million people in the U.S. are infected with Chlamydia. The group estimates that the problem is even worse than the numbers depict due to significant under-reporting and a lack of testing.