In Cleveland, sexually transmitted infections have increased since 2018, according to the most recent surveillance report from the Cleveland Department of Public Health.
The most recent data available, from 2017 to 2021, shows that reported cases of new diagnoses and infections of HIV rose by 6%. Cases of syphilis and congenital syphilis (syphilis among newborn babies) more than doubled. Chlamydia declined, but local rates remained higher than the national average.
To raise awareness about the troubling trends, Cleveland Department of Public Health and Cleveland Metropolitan School District Responsible Sexual Behavior Department officials will host a series of events to educate teens about sexual and reproductive health topics starting next week.
“Spilling the Tea on Teen Health” is one of two events the city’s health department will hold this year to engage and educate CMSD students on sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs), provide contraception and resources, and discuss the importance of healthy relationships and self-esteem.
The health summit is designed to be fun and impactful, said Dr. Jeannie Johnson-Brooks, director of Nursing at the Cleveland Department of Public Health.
“We’re equipping teens with the tools they need to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe or coercive relationships,” Johnson-Brooks said.
Five CMSD schools, including John Adams, JFK, Lincoln West, Max Hayes, School of One LGBT Community Center and MC2STEM will be the first to participate in the summit.
A spokesperson for the city’s health department said it plans to host the summit at least two times a year and rotate among CSMD schools to ensure students have the opportunity to participate in the event. The first summit will be Tuesday, March 5, at the East Professional Center, 1349 E. 79th Street. The department estimates 200 students will participate in the event.
Nationwide, there have been more than 2.5 million reported cases of sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis between 2017 and 2021, according to a surveillance data report collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the last five years, there’s been a 7% increase in the number of reported cases. The CDC estimates that half of newly reported cases are among youth 15 to 24 years old.
