NORTH CAROLINA- A new report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows the number of people being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise.
- The report shows a 31 percent increase in diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
- Health officials at Winston-Salem State University say the number one priority is to make sure their students don't become a part of these statistics
- Physicians recommend people check in with their local health departments as they provide free STD testing and treatment
The report shows a 31 percent increase in diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis over the past five years. In 2013, there were a total of 1.8 million cases versus the 2.3 million cases confirmed in 2017.
An infectious disease expert at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Christopher Ohl, said "If the numbers keep going up, it means that we as a society, we as a public health, we as physicians and we as individuals are really not doing everything we can to stop the spread of STDs in the U.S. and North Carolina."
Health officials at Winston-Salem State University say their number one priority is to make sure their students don't become a part of these statistics.
They're bringing a mobile clinic to campus every other Wednesday starting Sept. 12, with free screening and access to treatment for their students and others in the community.
Physicians recommend people check in with their local health departments as they provide free STD testing and treatment for anyone who cannot afford the screening process.