Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting an STD, but the chances increase with the number of sexual partners and unprotected sex…
STDs affect people of all ages, and a significant issue is the lack of awareness about free health resources available in the community. According to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Black women are at the highest risk of STD infection, particularly Herpes and HSV-2. Many statistics regarding the prevalence of STDs among Black women are influenced by sexual history and other social risk factors. It’s also important to note that pregnant women are at risk of contracting STDs. Unfortunately, pregnancy does not offer any additional protection against these infections. In fact, STDs can lead to severe complications for both the mother and the unborn child. Since a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed, they are especially vulnerable to issues affecting their central nervous system, vision, and hearing. Additional risks include stillbirth or premature birth. In 2018, the Florida Department of Health conducted research indicating that Leon County had the highest rates of Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and other bacterial STDs in the state of Florida. There were approximately 1,600 cases of bacterial STDs per 100,000 residents.
