With 45% Jump, STD Cases Just Reached a Record High in California

**enhanced_deficit** · 05-19-2018, 06:26 PM

STD Cases Just Reached a Record High in California. Here's What You Need to Know

STD cases have spiked sharply in the Golden State

By Sy Mukherjee May 15, 2018

A new report finds that the number of reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases in California reached a record high in 2017—and public health officials are particularly concerned about a sharp rise in stillbirths related to congenital syphilis.

“More than 300,000 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and early syphilis were reported: a 45% increase compared to five years ago,” wrote the authors.
The findings from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) show significant spikes in common STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia between 2000 and 2017 (chlamydia rates rose 9% compared to 2016, reaching an all-time high among both males and females, while gonorrhea infections rose 16% from 2016). But rates of more serious infections like syphilis have increased even more, especially among men, including a 20% overall increase from 2016.

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That latter stat is particularly troubling to public health officials given the long-term dangers of untreated syphilis, which can cause brain damage. And the infection can also spread from mother to child, resulting in a higher number of stillbirths. Babies who survive may endure severe illness and developmental defects.
CDPH noted that 2017 was the “fifth consecutive year for increases in the number of infants born with congenital syphilis,” and that there were 278 congenital syphilis cases, including 30 stillbirths, in California last year.

Congenital syphilis cases spiked sharply in CA

Health experts have a number of theories as to why all these STDs are on the rise. For one, California residents may not be getting regular screenings. That could be a lingering effect of the 2008 financial crisis, when the state budget slashed public health funding. A lack of access to free public clinics in some parts of California could be driving infections, UCLA professor of medicine Dr. Jeffrey Klausner posits. STDs may also be more prevalent among vulnerable communities with low incomes, drug addiction problems, or mental illness.

http://fortune.com/2018/05/15/califo...s-record-high/

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STD rates reach a record high—here’s how to stay safe

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-adv...safe-sex-tips/

STDs in L.A. County are skyrocketing. Officials think racism and stigma may be to blame

By Soumya Karlamangla
May 07, 2018

http://www.latimes.com/local/califor...htmlstory.html

**enhanced_deficit** · 05-21-2018, 07:48 PM

From Drudge, sourced to controversial WND site, so not clear if fakenews or part of MAGA or what:

Condoms required at Scouts' 24th World Jamboree

Rules demand distribution during coming 12-day 'camping' event

Published: 2 hours ago Bob Unruh Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially.

The Boy Scouts have decided to accept people who identify as gay and lesbian among their ranks. And girls are welcome now, too, into the iconic organization, which has renamed itself Scouts BSA.

So what’s next?
A mandate that condoms be made available to “all participants” of its global gathering.
It’s among the demands of the World Scout Committee for any host country of a World Scout Jamboree.
That would include the 24th World Scout Jamboree, scheduled July 21-Aug. 1, 2019, in West Virginia.

The Scouts say: “For the first time, a world jamboree will be hosted by three national Scout organizations: Scouts Canada, Asociación de Scouts de México, and the Boy Scouts of America. These three distinct cultures will join together to host the world Scouting community in a celebration of cultural exchange, mutual understanding, peace, and friendship.”

With condoms.
Commenting on the condom policy, John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, wrote that “it is not clear how far down the rabbit hole the Boy Scouts will continue to fall.”
“With the addition of condoms and alcohol, the World Jamboree is starting to sound more like a 1960s Woodstock festival rather than a campout that parents would want to send their children to!”