Saturday, May 1, 2010

W.O.R.T.H. Highlights Health Impacts of STDs

Rome News-Tribune
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2010

CONTACT PERSON: Marilyn Ringstaff, clinic director
(706) 232-3408 (clinic) or e-mail marilyn@womenareworthit.org

Women of W.O.R.T.H. Highlights Health Impacts of
Sexually Transmitted Diseases during 2010 STD Awareness Month

Rome, Georgia, (April 26, 2010) – On Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1st, low cost sexually transmitted diseases (STD) testing will be available at the W.O.R.T.H. clinic. The AIDS Resource Council will provide Free HIV testing at the clinic. STD information, condoms and quizzes to test the knowledge of the community will also be available.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 19 million new STDs occur every year in the United States and almost half of these are among young people aged 15 to 24.

STDs pose a serious public health threat to Americans – particularly young women, African Americans, men who have sex with men (MSM), and individuals living in poverty or who have limited access to healthcare. STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are major causes of infertility and ectopic pregnancies among women. These and other common STDs can increase the risk of HIV transmission for both women and men.

There are many effective ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs. Because many STDs often have no signs or symptoms, STD screening and early diagnoses are vital to prevent serious health consequences and increased transmission. More information about STDs is available at www.cdc.gov/std. For more information or appointments, patients may contact the clinic at (706) 232-3408.

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