1 in 4 Teens Has an STD

The Center for Disease Control released a new study that showed the prevalence of STDs among teens. "At least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, or more than 3 million teens, according to the first study of its kind in this age group." One in four teens is infected with at least one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis).

WOW! Freaking scary.

African-American young women are more at risk than their Anglo and Hispanic counterparts. "Dr. John Douglas, director of the CDC's division of STD prevention, said the results are the first to examine the combined national prevalence of common sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls. He said the data, from 2003-04, likely reflect current rates of infection. 'High STD rates among young women, particularly African-American young women, are clear signs that we must continue developing ways to reach those most at risk,' Douglas said."

I think this press release from the CDC proves that medically accurate comprehensive sex education needs to be provided in our schools so that teens can make the right decisions when it comes to sex and protection. Let's put the abstinance only education money to programs that actually work.

After the release of this report, Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas put out this press release.