Finally, a real reason to give thanks - Gonorrhea rates at lowest levels since 1941

[LynneSin]

Gonorrhea rates at lowest levels since 1941
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101123/HEALTH/101123016/Gonorrhea+rates+at+lowest+levels+since+1941

One of the nation's most common forms of sexually transmitted diseases has fallen to its lowest level ever recorded, but there's still improvement needed, according to a government report out Monday.

The report, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual report card on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), found that the gonorrhea rate in 2009 — the most recent year for which figures are available — was at its lowest level since 1941. The report also found that syphilis rates among women held steady after several years of increases. But the number of U.S. chlamydia cases was up 19% since 2006.

The CDC said that while overall the findings are encouraging, "there are large disparities in STD rates by race and age. Some racial/ethnic minority groups have much higher STD rates than whites, and young African Americans are particularly hard-hit."

Syphilis rates among young black men were about double the rate they were in 2005, the CDC found. Chlamydia rates reached a record high in 2009, which the CDC said probably represents increased testing for the disease.

Of course it seems Syphilis and Chlamydia are on the increase :scared: