Free STD Testing in Tyler, TX

Over the last twenty years the city of Tyler has been experiencing a steady increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases, and health care officials are worried that this trend will only continue. The surrounding Smith County has a percentage rate of 173 for the number of HIV cases, and statistics show that the majority of those infected are African American men under the age of 39. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea diagnosis have also been increasing in recent years, with more women under the age of 25 being affected. As the number of STDs in the area increases, city officials worry that the number of available health clinics may not be able to keep up with the demand.

• There were 286 HIV diagnosis in Tyler and Smith county in 2013.
• In 2012 the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDs reached 179 in the city and surrounding county.
• In a four year period over 60 percent of the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases diagnosed were in African American and Hispanic women.
• In 2013 there were 478 STDs recorded in Tyler and Smith county.

Like most of the state the city of Tyler does not have a comprehensive sex education program in its independent school district, and it relies on parents to inform their children about the risks and dangers associated with unprotected sex and STDs. While the abstinence based program is helping to slow down the rate of teen pregnancies, it is not preventing the spread of most sexually transmitted diseases. Until students and parents understand how STDs are spread, and that some can be contracted without sexual activity the percentage of infections will continue to rise in teens and young adults in the area.

While abstinence will help to prevent unplanned pregnancies in teenagers, it will not stop the spread of all sexually transmitted diseases. Some STDs can be passed through casual contact or from risky behavior, but until students and parents understand the importance of taking care of their sexual health the number of residents infected with a transmittable disease will continue to rise. Herpes testing in Tyler can not only prevent the spread of the virus from casual contact, it can also help to stop embarrassing cold sores form forming. HIV tests in Tyler are important to your overall health, and the best way to prevent the disease from turning into AIDs.

The demographical makeup of Tyler and Smith County do play a role in the high rate of STDs, especially among the city’s large number of low income residents. While the majority of the city is below the national annual average income, and this is affecting residents’ ability to afford proper healthcare the main contributing factor to the high percentage of STDs is the lack of education in the independent school district. The state and federal governments have implemented funding for lower income families to provide adequate health care, but not all STD checkups are covered. Until city officials understand the risk of not taking care of your sexual health the number of residents infected with a STD will continue to rise.

The city of Tyler is experiencing a rise in the number of STD reported, and recent statistics suggest that this percentage will only increase in the future. The lack of education in the schools is putting students and young adults at risk, and the health centers are having problems keeping up with the number of new patients. Some residents are choosing to schedule a confidential STD test in Tyler and avoiding the long lines at the clinics. You can spend a few minutes at the lab taking care of your sexual health, and still have plenty of time to visit the city zoo.

Reference:

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/sites/default/files/states/CHR2012_TX.pdf

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/texas/2013/measure/additional/61/data