Increased STD Rates Highlight Need for More Testing and Prevention

For Immediate Release: Nov. 24, 2015

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NEW YORK, NY — This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased in 2014. Chlamydia cases reached the highest number of annual cases of any condition ever reported to the CDC. 

Statement from Dr. Leslie Kantor, Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“The increased rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the U.S. is alarming, and clearly shows that not enough people are getting the information and care they need to protect their health. At Planned Parenthood, we know firsthand that sex education, access to STI testing and treatment, and ensuring that people receive trusted, quality health care are all effective and essential STI prevention tools.”

Planned Parenthood health centers are among the nation’s leading providers of STI screening and treatment, and our doors are open to everyone. Planned Parenthood also provides education and outreach to 1.5 million people every year in schools and communities across the country, which gives young people the information and skills they need to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancy. 

Planned Parenthood is committed to reaching people wherever they are with information and health care. Planned Parenthood’s websites in English and Spanish provide accurate, nonjudgmental information about sexual and reproductive health to 60 million visitors each year, our digital tools for teens and young adults include a variety of engaging information to help people make responsible decisions and Planned Parenthood’s innovative Chat/Text program is open 91 hours per week and has served 500,000 users.

“Planned Parenthood is continually innovating so that we can reach to reach more people with high-quality education and services — in fact, we’ve started offering STD testing via an easy to use app as well” said Kantor.

The Planned Parenthood Care™ app (available in Minnesota, Washington, Alaska and Idaho) allows people to talk to a Planned Parenthood provider online and face to face through a secure video consultation system, and then receive birth control or an STD test kit and treatment, if necessary, in the mail.  Planned Parenthood Direct™ allows people in California to order confidential STD testing kits through their mobile phone.

“Online services are the future of health care.  We know that there’s a vast unmet need for reproductive health care in this country, which contributes to higher rates of STDs in the U.S. than in other similar countries.  Planned Parenthood is determined to fill that gap,” Kantor said.

STD awareness and testing is a basic part of staying healthy and taking care of your body — so it’s important to know your risk and protect your health. There’s a lot people can do to take care of themselves and their sexual partners — including using condoms consistently and getting tested. Since many STDs show no symptoms, you or a partner may have an STD and not know it. The good news is that all STDs are treatable and most are curable. The sooner you know your status, the better you can protect your health and the health of your partner.

For more information about STDs or to find a health center near you, visit PlannedParenthood.org.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With approximately 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.