Miami is one of the world’s best destinations to have fun in the sun. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, complete with vibrant cuisine and tantalizing nightlife. This sunny Florida city is a sun-soaked playground both those who visit and live here year round, which makes it even more important for everyone in the area to get STD tested and stay informed about their status.
Miami is home to the highest STD rates in all of state, according to data reported by the Florida Department of Health.1 Taking control of sexual health starts with preventive care and getting tested, so take action now. Save time by getting tested same-day with STDTest.com instead of scheduling a visit to your primary care physician weeks in advance or waiting at a walk-in clinic. Read on to learn more.
Miami Beach isn’t just a dream destination, it’s a great place to live! The shores of South Beach and Biscayne Bay are trendy, but the local flavor sizzles with eclectic personality. With plenty of enviable shopping, an irresistible Cuban cafe culture and tropical beauty all around, Miami offers a little something for everyone, not just the scantily-clad sun worshippers it’s known for. Staying ahead of the sexual health curve is especially important, due the the rise of STIs in the area. In 2014, 30,626 cases were reported in 2014.2 Additionally, 7,220 cases of gonorrhea3 were reported in the the same year, as well as 1,195 cases of infectious syphilis.4
The number of syphilis cases in particular is troubling, considering it is high comparable to other large metropolitan areas around the country. As the leading contributor to the increasing rates STD rates of Florida, Miami residents should get tested and treated when appropriate to help keep the climbing STD statistics at bay. There are different options for STD testing, which can include waiting a doctor’s office which could be either intimidating or embarrassing, or waiting at a walk-in clinic for an unspecified amount of time. We’re here to make the STD process simple, effective and affordable, all with as little wait time as possible. STDTest.com partners with local labs for visits that often last less than a half hour, waiting time included. Results are delivered within three business days for less. It’s that simple.
The STD rates in Miami represent the highest numbers recorded across the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Public Health. The combined numbers of all reported cases of chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea from 2012-2014 totaled 39,041. In 2014, the total number of new HIV infections reported reached 1,411. Of this group, the most affected community was the Hispanic population, with 53% of all reported infections.6 This is a slight increase from 2013 Florida Department of Health surveillance data, which saw a report of 1,327 cases from January to November 2013.
After a brief period of decrease from 2002-2006, chlamydia cases in Miami continue to rise. From 2011 to 2014, the infection rate rose from over 28,830 cases to 30,626 cases, or 396/100,000 people affected with the STI.2 Over the past several years, the rates of report for gonorrhea have begun to stabilize. From 2011-2014, the year-over-year increase amounted 34 cases (7,186 vs. 7,220).3 The number of infectious syphilis cases in Miami, however, are reported at a rate considerably higher than the rest of the state according to Florida Department of Health Data, and the frequency continues to rise. The 2012-2014 rate of syphilis in Miami was reported as 15.5/100,000 in Miami-Dade county, compared to an average of 8/100,000 for the state of Florida.
Many of these STDs can be cured and all of them can be managed with the proper care. Left untreated, they can become much more severe health issues. Getting tested, especially if you’ve never had an STD test before or if you’ve been recently exposed, is the most definitive way to finding out your status and getting the necessary treatment.
Sexual education in Miami public schools is changing. In 2008, it was reported that funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage sexual education in Florida totaled over 13 million dollars. As reported by the Sexual Information and Education Council of the United States, in order to receive state funding, local school districts needed to comply with an 8-point education plan centered on abstinence.8
The landscape for sexual education in Miami-Dade county school districts continues to evolve, partly due to a grant from the CDC, investing in the sexual health of its adolescents. The 5 year grant, lasting from 2013-2018, has manifold aims. Primarily, it invites collaboration to create and execute sexual education curriculum of a high standard, including lessons on STD prevention and access to sexual health services.
It also provides an opportunity for the CDC to collect survey data from students in the area to improve their services for the future. Miami-Dade is one of five counties in Florida to receive the CDC grant. Other counties include Broward, Duval, Orange and Palm Beach.9 As of 2015, the Florida Department of Education policies and guidelines have been updated to reflect a more comprehensive approach to sexual education.10
The improved knowledge base of students gives them more confidence and awareness of their sexual health. It is the hope that this confidence will lead to increased STD testing when adolescents at young adults are at risk or have been exposed to an STD. Getting tested should be a simple and shame-free process, and that’s exactly the aim of STDTest.com.
It’s well-known that Miami is a melting pot for different Latino communities. This section of the population is also the most affected by STD infections. For example, of the 1,411 new HIV infections reported in Miami-Dade county over the 2012-2014 time period, 53% identified as Latino/a. The second most affected population demographic were non-hispanic African or Black Americans with 34% of the documented cases.6
As is typical across the country and in many large metropolitan areas, men who have sex with men (MSM) is one of the highest risk groups for getting and transmitting HIV. From 2010-2014, the number of MSM infected with HIV has seen a steady increase in the greater Miami-Dade County area.Within this demographic subset, the new infections in the men who who have sex with men (MSM) community sees 39% of new infections in Hispanic men and 22.3% in African/Black Americans.11
There are different populations at risk when it comes to contracting and sharing STDs in Miami, including young people ages 15-24, the transgender community, and citizens age 50 and older.11 No matter the age or background, if you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, getting tested is crucial. If you have questions or aren’t sure where to get started, our dedicated team of Care Advisors is available to answer any questions and start the STD testing process.
Your time is important, but so is your safety and confidentiality. STDtest.com brings these three elements together to offer an STD testing service that stems from a doctor recommended panel of tests, is followed up by a quick lab test at a location most convenient for you or at home, work or anywhere you choose with In-Home Collection.
You’ll receive notification of your lab results in three business days or less that you can access in your secure online account. The reason for your test will never be announced during your visit to the lab, nor will the name of our website show up in your inbox or your billing statement.
If you are concerned about your sexual health or you’ve never been tested, now is the time. The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can go back to enjoying the carefree ambiance of Miami. We’re here to help. Let’s get started.