study says U.S. black teens have higher % of STD's

[R_P_A_S]

I found this article on the BBC and i was wondering if you guys could give me your opinions or what can be concluded from the numbers this study claims. Pretty much saying a higher percentage of Black teen-aged girls have STD's than White or Mexican...

thanks..

STDs rife among US teenage girls
One in four teenage girls in the United States has a sexually-transmitted disease, a study has indicated.
The study, by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found an even higher prevalence of STDs among black girls.

Researchers analysed data from a nationally representative sample of 838 US girls aged 14 to 19.

A virus that causes cervical cancer - HPV - was the most common, followed by chlamydia, trichomoniasis and herpes.

The CDC says the study is the first in its kind to examine the prevalence of common sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls.

It found that nearly half of the African-American girls surveyed had at least one STD, while the rate was 20% among white and Mexican-American teenagers.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, affected 18% of the girls surveyed, chlamydia 4%, trichomoniasis 2.5%, and herpes simplex virus 2%.

Screening recommended

The CDC's Devin Fenton said it was a serious issue because the diseases could lead to infertility and cervical cancer.

"Screening, vaccination and other prevention strategies for sexually active women are among our highest public health priorities," he said.

The CDC is recommending annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active women under 25, and HPV vaccines for girls aged 11 to 12, followed by booster injections.

John Douglas, the CDC's head of STD prevention, says screenings are underused because teenagers often do not think they are at risk.

Analysts say some doctors are also reluctant to discuss screening with teenage patients because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents would have to be told of the results.

[erupt]

The same goes with women and breast cancer, because, you know, men can get it, as well.

I can't explain why S.T.D.s are more rampant in young black females, but that's what the scientists should be researching, not just the fact that it happens.

[bcbm]

Pretty inflammatory, but it ignores the reality of the situation...


A virus that causes cervical cancer - HPV - was the most common,

There are many strains of HPV, with many not causing any symptoms let alone cancer, and 90% of all strains being wiped out in a few months naturally. There's also treatment available for those with symptoms.


chlamydia

Curable and easily treated.


trichomoniasis

Curable and easily treated.


herpes

Generally asymptomatic or causes mild outbreaks. Medication exists to prevent outbreaks and suppress transmission.

Hardly anything to be shitting yourself over- its just anti-sex fear mongering. Not to say you shouldn't be careful, of course, which leads me to the next point. STD rates are higher in some groups, I would guess, because of poor education on sexual health and protection.