Sexually transmitted diseases have been on the rise in Cleveland since 2018, according to the latest surveillance report from the Cleveland Department of Public Health.
According to the latest available data (2017-2021), the number of new HIV diagnoses and reported infections increased by 6%. Cases of syphilis and congenital syphilis (syphilis in newborns) have more than doubled. Although chlamydia has declined, local infection rates remain higher than the national average.
To raise awareness about this alarming trend, officials from the Cleveland Department of Public Health and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Office of Responsible Conduct are organizing a series of events to educate teens about sexual and reproductive health topics starting next week. is scheduled to be hosted.
“Spilling the Tea on Teen Health” is one of two events held this year by the City Health Department to educate CMSD students about sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs) and introduce them to contraceptive methods. We aim to provide resources and discuss the importance of health. relationships and self-esteem.
“The Health Summit is designed to be fun and impactful,” said Dr. Jeannie Johnson-Brooks, director of nursing for the Cleveland Department of Public Health.
“We give teens the tools they need to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe or forced relationships,” Johnson-Brooks said. Stated.
Five CMSD schools will be participating in the summit for the first time, including John Adams, JFK, Lincoln West, Max Hayes, School of One LGBT Community Center, and MC2STEM.
A spokesperson for the city health department said the plan is to hold the summit at least twice a year and rotate it among CSMD schools to ensure students have an opportunity to participate in the event. The first summit will be held on Tuesday, March 5th at the East Professional Center, 1349 E. 79th Street. The department estimates 200 students will attend the event.
According to a surveillance data report collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2017 and 2021, there were more than 2.5 million reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis nationwide. There is. Over the past five years, the number of reported cases has increased by 7%. The CDC estimates that half of the newly reported cases are among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
