Health Impacts of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Highlighted during STD AWARENESS MONTH

Health Impacts of Sexually Transmitted Diseases highlighted during STD AWARENESS MONTH
NORTH GEORGIA – Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur in the United States
every year, costing the American healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs alone, according to a
report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

America’s youth shoulder a substantial burden of these infections. CDC estimates that half
of all new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the country occur among young men
and women aged 15 to 24.
Sherry Gregory, Infectious Disease Supervisor for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the
Georgia Department of Public Health, said, “April is STD Awareness Month, so we’re
placing a special emphasis on how to prevent STDs and on the importance of getting
tested and treated for these diseases.”
The high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in the general population suggests
that many Americans are at risk of exposure to STDs, underscoring the need for
prevention.
Despite this news, there are effective ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs. STD
screening and early diagnoses are essential in preventing transmission and the long-term
health consequences of STDs.
“We will be conducting STD testing and awareness campaigns at our county health
departments and at various community events throughout April, such as HIV and Hepatitis
C testing at the Northwest Day Reporting Center in Dalton on April 3rd and 17th and at
Dalton State College Gilmer Campus in Ellijay on April 19th,” said Gregory. “Details about
these and other events will be posted to our website at www.nghd.org/pr.”
Contact information for county health departments in the North Georgia Heath District is:
Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371
and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Health Impacts of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Highlighted during
STD AWARENESS MONTH – Media Release – continued

NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT 1-2

Cherokee: Canton (770) 345-7371 / Woodstock (770) 928-0133 Gilmer (706) 635-4363 Pickens (706) 253-2821

Fannin (706) 632-3023 Murray (706) 695-4585 Whitfield (706) 226-2621

Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023
Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363
Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706)
695-4585
Pickens County Health Department: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821
Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 279-
9600
The Living Bridge Center, located at 1200 West Waugh Street in Dalton and is the provider
of Ryan White Part B and C in the North Georgia Health District, will also participate in the
district-wide STD Awareness Month campaign.
Abstaining from sex, reducing the number of sexual partners, and consistently and
correctly using condoms are all effective prevention strategies. Safe, effective vaccines are
also available to prevent hepatitis B and some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV)
that cause disease and cancer. And for all individuals who are sexually active – particularly
young people – STI screening and prompt treatment (if infected) are critical to protect a
person’s health and prevent transmission to others.
More information about STDs is available at all the above county health departments in
North Georgia and on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/std.