Description
Dear HAAC readers,
While the following information is targeting African Americans, it has relevance to African Descended People living in Nova Scotia.
HAAC continues In the spirit of thriving with good health of mind, body and spirit, to work toward developing culturally specific and relevant health information from right here at home. However, we believe the following is good information for you to have and to share with your families.
Abstract
The Health Consequences of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) pose a serious and widespread health threat in the United States. Though most STDs can be easily diagnosed and treated, many have no noticeable symptoms, and infected individuals may not seek testing or treatment. As a result, many infections go undetected. Without treatment, individuals with STDs are at risk of serious health problems, such as infertility. Also, individuals who are already infected with STDs are at least two to
five times more likely than those who are uninfected to acquire HIV infection.
STDs affect people of all races, ages, and sexual orientations, though some individuals experience greater challenges in protecting their health. STDs take an especially heavy toll on African Americans, particularly young African American women and men. For example, blacks represent just 14 percent of the U.S. population, yet account for approximately half of all reported chlamydia and syphilis cases and almost three-quarters of all reported gonorrhea cases.
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