Los Angeles is famous around the world for its persona of Hollywood glitz and glamour. For those who call it home, this metropolis of over 10 million is filled with people from all walks of life as well as attractions extending beyond Universal Studios and taking a stroll along the Walk of Fame.
It’s also a city struggling with the rise of STD rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. One of the most startling and dangerous statistics is a reported 343% rise in reported cases of congenital syphilis from 2010-2014.1 This is a serious, life-threatening disease for infants and is a cause for concern whenever it is on the rise.2 Getting tested is an important step in improving the sexual health of the greater Los Angeles area.
Everyone knows that the weather and the beaches in sunny Los Angeles simply can’t be beat. The citizens of this sun-soaked city also have fantastic hiking options like Runyon Canyon available, as well as the charming Santa Monica pier and the eclectic entertainment found on Venice Beach. In an urban center of its size, the occurrence sexual diseases in L.A. can rank above the national average. In the instance of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis, the rate of reported cases in LA is nearly double the national number. Since 2010, chlamydia cases have risen 17%, gonorrhea cases 51% and P&S syphilis cases by a staggering 74%. One STD that has seen in a marked decrease in new infections is HIV, with a steadily declining rate reported since 2008.1
With results on the rise, getting STD tested is even more important than ever. STDTest.com offers a healthcare service that is fast, confidential and convenient for the lives of busy Angelenos. Our process offers same-day testing options and locations with results delivered in about three business days. There’s no need to wait at a walk-in clinic or schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor weeks or even months in advance with this simple and affordable option to get tested for STDs.
The efforts and outreach of the local and state health departments have resulted in a decline in new HIV diagnoses in the larger LA county. In 2014, there were 1,820 new cases, a 16% decrease from the 2013 data reported by the county health department. Also, the number of patients diagnosed and linked to care within three months is 79%, aligning with the initiatives outlined by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the US (NHAS). 1 & 3
While the decrease in HIV/AIDS in LA is promising, the steady increase of chlamydia, gonorrhea, P&S, early and latent syphilis cases over the past half decade raises concern. In 2014, the LA Department of Public Health reported a total of 66,276 sexually transmitted diseases, a 1.5% increase from 2012. A breakdown of the cases revealing an overwhelming majority of chlamydia cases (77%), followed by gonorrhea diagnoses (18.8%), and rounded out by syphilis (5.5%) and HIV (2.7%). This information was communicated in the 2014 Annual Los Angeles County Department of Public Health report.
Another report released by the California Department of Public Health gives a disclaimer about the increase of chlamydia cases being statewide. The report postulates that newer procedures like the nucleic amplification test (NAAT) and automatic screening for women at the gynecologist’s office rises rates of detection for a disease that often presents with no symptoms and can go for weeks or months without being detected otherwise. However, there is no regulated screening for men, who make up 38% of the reported cases.4 In any event, these three diseases generally present asymptomatically, making it easy to transmit from partner to partner without being aware.
Getting tested for STDs yearly or soon after exposure is crucial in lowering the overall rate of those affected in the metropolitan area. While screening at the doctor’s office is available, scheduling an appointment weeks or even months in advance isn’t helpful in the event of recent exposure. Get tested any time you need with our convenient and affordable service for the betterment of your sexual health and your peace of mind. All it takes is a brief medical questionnaire or answering a few questions on the phone to get started. Especially if you are pregnant or planning to be, a clean bill of health is essential.
Los Angeles takes a progressive approach to sexual education in its public schools. It currently offers a number of initiatives from various providers across the country aimed at educating students in both traditional and experiential, interactive ways. One approach the LAUSD adopts is an interactive video game produced by the UT Houston Prevention Research Center called “It’s Your Game – Keep it Real”. 24 districts in the LA county area use this curriculum for 7th and 8th graders in the classroom to introduce the concepts of safe sex, protection and lowering the rate of teen pregnancy.
Other initiatives include Project Connect, an intervention program funded by the CDC, focuses on intervention needed for students and their families in the community. The DASH collaboration is an effort with the California Department of Public health and the Adolescent Health Unit (ASH) of Los Angeles County to coordinate student services and assemble advisory councils for the better health of the students. Even with these coordinated efforts, STD rates are still on the rise in the 15-24 age group. STD testing is another important piece of the puzzle for keeping the youth of LA healthy.5
If you’re over 18, getting STD tested can be simple and confidential. Spare the intimidation and skip the doctor’s office visit. Instead, by calling in our visiting STDTest.com online, a brief medical intake will lead to a doctor’s recommendation of the tests you should take. There are options to pay out of pocket or with insurance, based on your preference.
In Los Angeles County, the segment of the population overwhelmingly affected by STDs are African Americans. Similar to other large urban areas and around the country, the number of African Americans diagnosed with HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and all stages of syphilis is disproportionate to the rest of the population. Different demographic groups make up for the majority of STDs, for example, 49% of all male chlamydia cases reported in 2014 were attributed to Hispanic males, yet the proportion of the Hispanic male population was 329.1/100,000 people and the black male population affected was 929.9/100,000 people.4
The communities most affected in Los Angeles are the Metro, South and West Service Planning Areas. These areas include downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Watts, Compton and Inglewood, among others.6 With the exception of chlamydia (women comprise 62% of all cases),1 men are more likely to contract and pass on STDs. In reference to HIV/AIDS cases, 94% of the newly diagnosed cases in 2014 were in men who have sex with men (MSM). The group that sees the lowest impact of STD diagnosis is Caucasian women. In the chlamydia data, Caucasian women are 5.5 times less likely to report the disease than African American women.1
There are different resources available in Los Angeles to get tested for STDs. Walk-in clinics and Planned Parenthood clinics are available to the public. Both often require appointments or are tasked with administering care for large amounts of people at a time. STD testing can also be accessed at the offices of primary care physicians. STDTest.com offers an option that can save both time and money. Especially if you’ve never been tested, it’s important to know your status as soon as possible. With same-day testing options and results delivered usually in three business days or less, this confidential process is safe, secure and efficient.
Prevention and treatment are key when it comes to sexual health. With HIV on the decline in LA and such high numbers reported for connection to care, health officials easily draw the correlation between pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PreP and PEP) and fewer severe infections. Getting properly tested and treated greatly improves progression towards the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
Taking steps to alleviate worry and stress around STD testing makes for more time to enjoy the California sun. If you’re concerned about your sexual health, don’t wait, get tested as soon as possible with the help of STDTest.com. With a network of thousands of labs across the country, finding a convenient location is simple. Another testing option, if available in your area is In-Home Collection. This service brings testing to your home, work or another convenient location.
For all testing options, get notified of your results in three business days or less. Once you know your status, follow up with our medical team with any questions you have. They can answer any questions or prescribe treatment, if appropriate or if allowed by state law. Settle back into the laid-back California lifestyle with knowledge of your sexual health.