Michigan State Programs for Prevention of STIs

Michigan State Programs for Prevention of STIs

Michigan is one of the states that has experienced an increase in the percentage of sexually transmitted diseases. The health issue mostly affects both teenagers and young adults aged between fifteen and twenty-four years. The most common sexually transmitted illnesses in the state include syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. The primary and secondary syphilis is most more prevalent among sexually active men as well as from infected mothers to their unborn children (CDC, 2015). The state ranks 33rd out of the fifty states in the rate of syphilis infection in the United States of America.

On the other hand, chlamydia and gonorrhea occur as a result of untreated STIs in individuals. It causes pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and also chronic pelvic pains in the affected persons. Besides, the onset of the of these types of STDs increases the chances of HIV spread and the development of cancer. Michigan comes in at the 21st position among the 50 states in chlamydia infections. The women are more vulnerable to the infection as compared to the men in society.

According to the CDC report on state health programs, Michigan is one of the few states that receive increased funding to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. In 2016, the state received $2,994,104 funding which is the second-highest following HIV/AIDs funding program. The money was meant to help the state in its numerous attempts to prevent the constant increase in STIs among the citizens. The funds enable the state health department to reduce the impact of sexually transmitted illnesses through prevention based on science-related initiatives. It also makes it possible for the state to implement control services that highly efficient due to their high impact on the illnesses, sustainability, cost-effective and scalable elements. Such funding is significant as the sexually-related diseases pose a major health threat to the people and the next generations as it also affects unborn children.

The preventive programs funded by the state goes a long way in reducing the impact of the illness on the people. Many of the people infected by sexually transmitted diseases are not aware of their status due to the lack of symptoms that are evident upfront. Therefore, they unknowingly infect their partners or other individuals they engage in intercourse with without protection. The African American men and women who are sexually active account for the large numbers of those affected by the diseases. Therefore, the state urges all the people to get tested regularly to ensure they are safe and also keep their sexual partners safe.

The health experts state that screening and prompt treatment of STIs are relevant in protecting one’s health and also reducing the cases of transmission to others. The state works in collaboration with other agencies such as the local health department, health care providers, community-based organizations and pharmacists in testing, treating and creating public awareness of the STDs menace. Besides, there are health centres meant to provide care to persons infected with STDs. All these programs show that the Michigan state is highly dedicated to ensuring that the rate of sexually transmitted disease infections goes down (WXYZ, 2019). The adequate funding, the initiative to provide public awareness and the efforts to create centres that deal with the screening and treatment of the illness further confirms the commitment of the state.

References

CDC report. (2015). Michigan-State Health Profile. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/stateprofiles/pdf/Michigan_profile.pdf.

WXYZ Abc Detroit. (2019). STDs increase in Michigan, regular testing urged to prevent spread of diseases. https://www.wxyz.com/news/stds-increase-in-michigan-regular-testing-urged-to-prevent-spread-of-diseases.