STDs spread very easily, and young people have been hit hard by them. 1 out of 4 teenage girls has an STD. Untreated STDs can cause some serious health problems. These include problems with the reproductive system, and could result in not being able to have children when you want to. STDs include pain, cancer, and permanent damage to your body. LEARN MORE
Screening for STDs are available for men, women and teens at each of our Canyonlands Healthcare clinic locations. Through screenings, education, and treatment, our clinicians can help you protect your reproductive health. Our Family Planning Services may be available at little or no-cost to you.
Young people aged 15–24 years acquire half of all new STDs, according to CDC incidence reports and one in four sexually active adolescent females has an STD, such as chlamydia or human papillomavirus (HPV). Compared with older adults, sexually active adolescents aged 15–19 years and young adults aged 20–24 years are at higher risk of acquiring STDs for a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons.
Arizona Ranks 9th Worst for Syphilis
The report also showed that Arizona ranks 9th worst in the nation for primary and secondary syphilis, with a 22% increase since 2015. Primary and secondary syphilis refers to the first two stages after onset of symptoms while congenital syphilis is passed from pregnant women to their babies.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men continue to face the highest rates of syphilis and HIV co-infection.
Pregnant women are experiencing some of the harshest outcomes from untreated STDs with the continued surge of congenital syphilis where cases have risen to numbers unseen since 1998.
Chlamydia Increases Among Teens, Young Adults
Rates of chlamydia are highest among adolescent and young adult females, the population targeted for routine chlamydia screening. Among young women attending family planning clinics participating in a sentinel surveillance program who were tested for chlamydia, 9.2% of 15–19 year olds and 8.0% of 20–24 year olds were positive.
Working together with our clinicians at Canyonlands Healthcare and the rural communities we serve, we can take action to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their related health consequences. Our goal is to provide affordable health care to all individuals in a comfortable, safe and culturally sensitive environment. —
Christopher J. Hansen, CEO, Canyonlands Healthcare
