Private MD News

CDC marks STD awareness month by encouraging education and testing

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 receive about half of all new positive STD tests. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is using STD awareness month, which is observed in April, to encourage more young people to consider STD testing.

The agency states that STDs cost the U.S. healthcare system $17 billion each year. These are entirely preventable expenses. Testing and education can drastically cut the number of people who contract these infections each year.

CDC officials are calling on pediatricians and primary care physicians who treat young adults to start conversations about the dangers of STDs with their patients. Many individuals may be putting themselves at risk for contracting an infection but do not know it. Given a general lack of education among young people about the issue, health officials need to take the lead in encouraging prevention.

Regular STD testing may be among the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. This helps identify disease carriers and further educates the public about safe sex practices.