Last year, 541 young adults between 15 and 19 reported getting chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or genital herpes.
The second most common age group to contract an STD was 20 to 24 year olds with 482 reported cases, followed by 25-29 year olds with 218 cases. The numbers continue to fall as ages increase, though adults 50 and older reported 20 cases of STDs last year.
Women were more than twice as likely as men to get an STD, according to the data. In 2006, women reported 1,007 cases of STDs, compared to 474 cases for men. The disparity is partly due to women going to the doctor more often for prenatal exams and annual checkups.
The 1,481 reported cases of STDs last year was 16 more than 2005, but nearly double the total from 10 years ago. The increase, however, could be because more people are being tested and treated for STDs than in the past.
Blacks had the highest rates of infection among racial groups, accounting for nearly half of all cases of STD in the county. If Hispanics are added in, minorities accounted for 55 percent of all reported cases in the county.
Chlamydia was the most common STD with 991 cases, followed by gonorrhea with 334 cases, genital herpes with 149 cases and syphilis with 7 cases.
Here's a look at the reported number of STD cases since 1997
We as a community need to do a better job educating young people on prevention, risks and,maybe most importantly,on healthy relationships.
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