Chlamydia epidemic spikes in Kansas, leads to increase in preventive efforts

Last year, an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with chlamydia. Following the release of this data, Kansas health officials re-evaluated the state's efforts towards preventing the spread of this sexually transmitted disease (STD).

This is because approximately 74 percent of all these cases were diagnosed in Kansas, according to The University Daily Kansan.

In order to combat this epidemic, the National Institutes of Health awarded the University of Kansas a grant worth $1.8 million, which will be used to fund state-based studies and increase treatment availability. Currently, a team of researchers are developing a microbicide gel for women that can protect them against the STD, the newspaper reports.

Sarah Kieweg, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the school, said that while this treatment option will be targeted on countries where alternative contraceptives aren't as accessible, she added that "even in the U.S. though, women don't always have that option."

While this STD is still a growing concern, more people are taking preventative measures to protect themselves from chlamydia. In 2008, approximately 1.2 Americans had been infected with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.