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Public health officials attempt to put a stop to rising STD rates in teens

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Teenagers and young adults tend to have the highest rates of STD infection among all demographics. Experts say that these individuals often engage in risky sexual behavior that contributes to the spread of disease.

In an effort to curb these rising rates, public health officials are working to increase awareness among teens about the importance of STD testing and the benefits of practicing safe sex.

For example, representatives of the local health department in Lufkin, Texas recently met with Baylor University professor Ruth Buzi to discuss ways to improve the sexual health of teens in the county, according to the Lufkin Daily News.

“Sexual activity is very difficult to talk about to teenagers,” Buzi told the news source. “But it’s important to have a competent understanding. “Even threatening, ‘You better not have sex,’ is better than not talking at all."

There are approximately 19 million new STD infections diagnosed each year and almost half of these come from youths between 15 and 24 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.