Newark, New Jersey was among the top twelve US cities to have the highest rates of gonorrhea and syphilis from 1999-2000. The Center for Disease Control or CDC, together with local government health agencies made drastic and extensive action plans to decrease STD rates. Although current statistics conducted by CDC showed that STD rates in the state of New Jersey declined steadily since 2002, there is still a lot of work to be done to further lessen the numbers and prevent unexpected outbreaks.
Studies also show that STD rates are drastically high in the black population, since their low-income status prevents them from getting quality health services. African Americans and Hispanic ethnic minorities continue to be excessively affected by STDs. STD rates were also high in women considering that they are more open to STD testing than men. Rates in STD cases in bisexual men and MSMs are considerably high due to the practice of risky sexual behavior such as having multiple sex partners.
Syphilis continues to be the problem in urban areas. Among the 50 states in the US, New Jersey ranked 26th for syphilis cases in 2005. The number of congenital syphilis, on the other hand, decreased dramatically. For gonorrhea cases, Newark ranked 35th among the 50 states and 43rd in chlamydia infections.
The CDC’s STD program with combined efforts from the local public health agencies like the New Jersey Prevention Health Education Network or NJPHEN and other private organizations, continue to find effective and relevant ways to track STD epidemic, increase STD awareness and implement and evaluate STD prevention and treatment programs.
The Freedom Foundation of New Jersey carried out programs in Newark encouraging pre-teen and teenage girls to abstain from sexual relations and illegal drugs. The programs that operated through the Newark school system included Best Friends, Teen Challenge and Diamond Girls. These were funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation or RWJF. Advertising campaign ads to increase public awareness have also been proven to be effective tools in promoting STD/HIV testing. STD and HIV testing was encouraged for partners who haven’t been tested and those who have more than one sex partners or have a new partner. A yearly HIV test is also recommended for those who inject drugs or had needle-sharing.
STD/HIV testing can allow STD and HIV infected persons to get immediate help. Although some STDs may be symptom-free initially, people who may have been exposed to STD infections need to get tested for STDs. STD/HIV testing need not be expensive and complicated. There are several self-test kits available in the market today such as STD/HIV home test kits offered by Testcountry. Testcountry is a reliable source for do-it-yourself test kits that are proven safe and accurate. For more information and price details, visit Testcountry.com.
There are also several STD/HIV testing centers located in Newark. Some of these testing centers include:
• Newark Health Department- STD Clinic
110 William Street, Newark , NJ 07102
Phone : (201) 648-2444
• Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.
741 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104-4309
Phone: (973) 483-1300
• Broadway Clinic (Satellite of Newark Community Health Center)
741 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: (973) 565-0355
• Planned Parenthood Ironbound Center
70 Adams St, Suite 13, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 465-7707
Fax: (973) 465-5779
