Private MD News

College campuses start initiatives to curb high STD rates

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The majority of new STD infections occur in individuals between the ages of 15 and 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. College students who have unprotected sex are a major part of the problem, and many campuses are working to address the issue among their attendees.

For example, health officials at Valdosta State University recently announced that they will begin offering free Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, according to the school's new service.

The move comes in response to a recent report, which showed that the county in which the school is located has the highest rate of STDs in the state of Georgia. Many of these infections are transferring to the student population.

"The Student Health Center is doing something uniquely special for the students at VSU and everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to learn or be checked for an STD even if you do not feel you have one," said Dr. Guillermo Saurina, of the school's health department, quoted by the news source.