Health advocate is optimistic about teen sex education, STD rates

An overseer at Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte told the Sacramento News and Review that California's teen pregnancy rate has dropped considerably due to increases in education and public health options.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are next, said Raquel Simental, director of public affairs for the sexual health care provider.

She told the news source that the dip in teen pregnancy is partly due to California Senate Bill 71, which refused abstinence-only public teen education in favor of curricula that include information in HIV and STDs.

The more comprehensive sexual education may help lower Mar Monte's adolescent STD rates, which are currently some of the highest in the state.

Simental said that the region has the state's third highest gonorrhea rate, although its chlamydia rate has dropped recently.

She added that teens can get sexual screenings through the California Department of Public Health's Planning, Access, Care and Treatment program, which provides healthcare for those without insurance.

Individuals who suspect that they have an STD may consider investing in online testing services.

Approximately 1 in every 1,000 Americans has gonorrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.