On the border of Missouri and Kansas, this city offers more than meets the eye. It might be known across the country for it’s top-notch BBQ, but locals will tell you few things are better than catching a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium. Also, Kansas City is the largest metropolitan area in the state, and has the second highest number of reported STDs after St. Louis.
Getting tested and treated if appropriate in this mid-sized city of over 470,0001 is an important step for improving the sexual health of communities located all over the Kansas City care area. Visiting a primary care physician or venturing to a free clinic are typical options. STDtest.com offers a convenient alternative that is fast, confidential and affordable. It’s a healthcare option that works around your schedule. Read on to learn more.
With the highest amount of primary and secondary (P&S) recorded in the state of Missouri, Kansas City’s rates are a cause for concern. With 91 cases compared to 41 reported in the greater St. Louis area, getting the word about prevention, risk factors and testing options is key for seeing a shift toward a lower rate.2 Syphilis is the least commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in both Kansas City and in the state of Missouri, however, left untreated, this condition can lead to more medically severe conditions like neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis, according to the CDC.
One of the most effective methods to slow down the spread of disease and treat people in need is to spread the word about STD testing. Anyone at risk should get tested at least annually, including sexually active individuals who have never been tested, anyone with multiple partners in the last year or anyone experiencing STD-like symptoms. It’s common for STIs to present without any symptoms, so if there’s any doubt, get tested. Scheduling an appointment with your doctor might seem embarrassing or stressful, and waiting at the free clinic could potentially take more time than bargained for. Why not select an option that puts you more in control?
To start a discussion about the rate of sexually transmitted diseases in Kansas City, metropolitan statistical area used to report on STDs is called the Kansas City HIV Care Area. In 2013, 3,469 residents were reported to be living with HIV, compared to 11,584 living in the state of Missouri. This number lower than the amount of cases reported in St. Louis, but still, once again, ranks second in the state.3
Kansas City is situated in the larger Jackson County area, which saw a reported 3,518 cases of chlamydia diagnosed in 2015, compared to 5071 reported in 2014 and 5078 in 2013, demonstrating an increase. The number of gonorrhea cases reported in the Kansas City metro totaled 1,882 in 2015, 1757 in 2014 and 1,860 cases in 2013, yet another instance of the numbers of sexually transmitted diseases on the rise in the Kansas City area. According to the Missouri Department of Health’s Bureau of Reportable Disease Informatics, the 2013-2015 data reported showed a decrease from 2014 to 2015, in cases but an overall increase compared to 2013 data, with 200 cases reported that year, followed by 280 in 2014 and 257 in 2015.4-6
With several STDs on the rise in Kansas City, getting tested is especially important because most often the only symptoms of disease are no symptoms at all. Bringing down the rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea starts with Kansas City residents knowing the risk behaviors and getting tested.
Sexual education in Kansas City stresses abstinence as the most effective defense against sexually transmitted diseases in addition to offering medically accurate, age-appropriate education for students of all ages in the Missouri public school system. A law enacted in August of 2015 calls for the inclusion of the dangers of inappropriate text messaging, even between friends. All students in public schools of appropriate age are mandated by state to learn about the consequences of teenage sex, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Also mandated by the State of Missouri Education Department is instruction on methods of contraceptives.
Teenagers are at high risk in any area for sexually transmitted diseases, in that half of the nearly 20 million infections reported in the United States each year, 10 million are reported by young adults age 15-24. One of the best ways to keep these high rates at bay is staying informed about risk factors and leaving the lines of communication open. Young adults should know what healthcare options are available when it comes to testing and treating STDs in an effort to help slow the spread both in Kansas City and nationwide.
In Kansas City, the most commonly reported disease is chlamydia, and this STD affects the female population in the greater Kansas City HIV care area. Of the 3,518 cases reported in 2015, 2,450 infections were reported by women, compared to 1,068 infections reported by men. The African American population was affected more than the caucasian population, with reports from the Missouri State Health Department citing 1,481 chlamydia cases reported by African Americans compared to 1,241 cases in the caucasian community.2
The gender disparity of gonorrhea cases in the Kansas City statistical reporting area sees a smaller gap than chlamydia. Of the 1,078 cases on record for 2015, there were 536 cases of infection in men compared to 542 cases in women. There is however, a great disparity between the numbers reported by race. Caucasians reported 200 of the gonorrhea cases in 2015, vis a vis 1,431 attributed to the African American population of Kansas City. Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases also reported a similar statistic, but with less of a gap between racial groups. The care area listed 91 new infections in the year 2015, 36 of which affected caucasians and 50 affecting African Americans.2
The demographic trends of HIV in Kansas City affects males in the community by a much larger margin than females. Of the 3,469 people living with HIV in the area in 2013, 2,932 are male diagnoses and 537 female. The age group most affected by the virus is the 25-44 demographic group, claiming 1,981 diagnoses. The most affected demographic group categorized by race is the Hispanic population with 1,760 members in the area who are positive. The biggest risk group for contracting HIV is men who have sex with men (MSM), accounting for 2,320 total infections at the time of report.3
Getting tested for STDs should be quick, effective and affordable. Getting tested can provide a sigh of relief, leaving you to enjoy more of the great things Kansas City has to offer, like an afternoon lounging at Loose Park. STDtest.com is a fast, confidential and affordable option for STD testing that makes a potentially shameful or embarrassing task simple and judgement-free.
Get started by answering a few quick questions online to receive your doctor-recommended panel of STD tests, tailored to your specific symptoms and circumstances. Our network of labs nationwide allows you to choose the best location nearest you, no appointment required. Same-day testing options are available, and getting tested often means getting in and out over your lunch hour (usually 30 minutes or less). After your test samples are collected, you will be notified of your results usually in three business days or less. Our medical team is available – whatever your diagnosis – to answer questions, discuss your diagnosis and even prescribe treatment if appropriate and allowed in your state. It’s that simple. Get tested. It’s for your better health.