With a population reaching just over 650,000, Washington DC is a moderately sized city brimming with distinct character and history. Being a tourist in your own backyard is easy when there are so many storied monuments and museums around, like the National Gallery and the Smithsonian.

With all of the attractions of this bustling metropolis, worrying about sexual health should be the last thing on the list. However, the DMV area continues to see a rise in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis year over year.1 An effective way to prioritize healthcare is to make it quick, confidential and affordable. Skip the inconvenience of scheduling an appointment at your primary care physician’s office. Same-day testing options and results delivered in usually three business days or less is an ideal option for busy people in the nation’s capital. Find out how STDTest.com can help.

STD Test Statistics in Washington, DC

The epidemic level of HIV cases has been at the center of the healthcare debate in Washington DC. As of December 31st, 2013, the reported number of cases in HIV totaled 16,423, or approximately 2.5% of the population. This is down from 3% in the years leading up to 2009, according to Dr. Shannon Hader, MD, MPH. The rates reported at that time, “[Were] higher than West Africa.”² While the numbers are shifting towards stabilizing, the current data remains a cause for concern and action in the DC area.
Other sexually transmitted diseases were on the rise at the time of the most recent STD surveillance report. The increases were slight, but still indicate rising trends. In 2013, the rates of chlamydia rose .4% and rates of gonorrhea rose by 1%. The total number of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the district area at the end of 2013 totaled 154.¹

An interim report from the DC Department of Health that suggests that these trends are continuing to stabilize. One major distinction in the data reported on in this report includes the rate of infection within the transgender community. In 2014, the preliminary data forecasts 396 new cases of AIDS, bringing the total cases in the area up to 16,740.³

Efforts made by public officials and health policy encourage getting tested to ensure knowledge of status and treatment. To help further improve the STD rates, selecting the best testing option for you is an important step.

STD Testing and Sexual Education in Washington, DC

Similar to cities all around the country, the highest incidence of chlamydia cases occurs in the 15-24 age group in Washington, DC. This age group comprises 69.1% of all infections.¹ The CDC refers to chlamydia as a ‘silent’ infection, as it tends to present without any symptoms which makes it easy to pass along from one partner to another.⁴ With a disease that affects so many young people, a targeted education program is needed to spread awareness.

In an age of increased standardized testing in public schools, DC is adding sexual health to the list of subjects evaluated for comprehension. This assessment is administered in conjunction with Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) “Healthy Schools Act” and is intended for 5th, 8th and 11th grade students. The initiative was enacted in 2010 with new provisions for increased sexual health education, centered on health, wellness and improved sexual health.⁵

In addition to efforts aimed at increasing knowledge about sexual health, the OSSE also supports “Wrap MC”⁶, a condom distribution program with the goal of promoting safe sex. This approach opens the door to sexual health more approachable. Removing the mystery around STDs can empower the younger generation to get tested and treated when appropriate, lowering the overall rates across the city and making for a safer metropolis.

STD Testing and Demographics in Washington, DC

In Washington DC, the demographic trends model trends seen both nationwide and in large metropolitan areas. The amount of African American men affected by HIV stands out disproportionately. The DC DOH reports that of the district’s black population, 3.9% are affected with HIV. 1.6% of the Hispanic population is positive, and 1.2% of Caucasians in the district are diagnosed the disease, bringing the total population average to 2.5%. In men and women of all races, the percentage of men with HIV totals 76 and women, 24.¹ Gay men are reported to make up nearly 41% of all infections.

According to the HAHSTA Annual Report, black women are the most affected by the spread of chlamydia (61.9%), and the reported cases were geographically located in the 7th and 8th Wards of the city. Men and women are nearly equally diagnosed with gonorrhea, the black population comprising 59.8% of all infections. An interesting statistic of note is that while chlamydia and gonorrhea classically are predominant in younger age groups, reported cases of syphilis are most present in patients 30 years or older.

At the end of 2015, DC mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Paris Declaration,⁷ or the 90-90-90 plan as a method to help slow and eventually stop the epidemic of HIV/AIDs. The accord expands upon this model: By 2020, the projection goals are 90 percent of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 90% of people who know their status are receiving treatment and 90% of people receiving treatment experience viral load suppression. For this aggressive, forward-thinking goal to be accomplished, it all starts with prevention and testing. STDTest.com offers a safe, confidential and quick testing option. The knowledge of a diagnosis is the first step in improving sexual health.

Your Best Washington, DC STD Testing Option

Think about it. Instead of spending what could be hours waiting at the doctor’s office or a public clinic, there’s a quicker option that is simple and discreet. STDTest.com works with a network of doctors and labs that make testing easy for everyone. All it takes is answering a few short questions online or by phone, taking the doctor-recommended tests at a local lab or another location of your choice (if available in your area) when convenient for you and the results will be available in three business days or less. You can dedicate your free time to enjoying a Nationals Game rather than waiting around. You can get started now or call our dedicated team of Care Advisors.

References:

1 2014 Annual Epidemiology and Surveillance Report for the District of Columbia
2 “At Least 3 Percent of D.C. Residents Have HIV or AIDS, City Study Finds,” The Washington Post 03/15/2009
3 Interim HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report Preliminary 2014 Data
4 Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet (Detailed)
5 Healthy Schools Act Initiatives
6 OSSE Wrap MC Program
7 The Paris Declaration