Chlamydia epidemic rises in Minnesota, North Dakota

Healthcare officials have found that the number of chlamydia cases reported in North Dakota and Minnesota has risen by approximately 82 percent since 1995, according to the states' health departments. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that on a national level, the population of people with this disease has doubled over the last 14 years.

Researchers have found that women, African Americans and adults aged 20 to 24 years are among the populations in these states that are the most affected by this epidemic, according to Inforum.com.

In order to slow the spread of the disease, Minnesota has been increasing the availability of sexually transmitted disease (STD) screenings over the last seven years. These types of tests only require a urine sample to diagnose a patient with chlamydia, the news source reports. Physicians are also making more efforts towards discussing condom use and the importance of STD testing with their patients.

Similar statewide initiatives may be able to help prevent the increasing number of chlamydia cases across the country. In 2008, more than 1.2 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with chlamydia, according to the CDC.

Individuals who have unprotected sex could be putting themselves and their partners at a higher risk of contracting an STD. People who are concerned about their health, but are uncomfortable with going to a clinic, can benefit from purchasing online testing kits.