November 21, 2011 | Health Matters

STD rates increasing for black men

Alarming new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been released, revealing that young, queer black men are facing a massive, and disproportionate, increase in STD infections.

For example, syphilis rates fell 1.6% from 2009 to 2010. However, the rate among young black men increased by 134% since 2006! Similar increases are being seen in the number of new HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia cases.

St. Louis Health Director Pam Walker said that 90% of new infections of gonorrhea and chlamydia were found in African-Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. That is not good!

“You don’t have to spend a week in a bar to find somebody you’re comfortable with,” she said, “People are doing it online and they’re doing it faster.”

Researchers admit part of the increase comes from better access to testing, and therefore more accurate stats. But they also point to certain social and economic factors, such as limited access to health care. The issue of men on the down-low, where guys have sex with other guys but don't consider themselves gay, is another factor.

Something obviously needs to be done to address this issue. But what?