April 14, 2016

DEPARTMENT RAISES STD AWARENESS WITH STATEWIDE EVENTS

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Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing April as STD Awareness Month. Throughout the month, county health departments across the state will be hosting and participating in screening and education events to raise STD awareness.

“The department is committed to eliminating sexually transmitted diseases in Florida,” said Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip. “We focus on prevention, testing and treatment methods; through ongoing data analysis, we can focus our efforts on areas within our communities with the highest risk to prevent the spread of STDs and improve outcomes.”

This year’s theme, “Talk. Test. Treat.” aligns with the department’s ongoing efforts to combat sexually transmitted diseases in Florida. To prevent the spread of STDs the department’s 67 county health departments and partner clinics provide screening, counseling, treatment and partner notification services to persons infected with or suspected of being infected with STDs.

In addition, the department conducts analyses of STD case rates and trends and performs routine surveillance of disease distribution. Recently, the department was applauded by CDC for continued excellence in meeting national HIV case surveillance process and outcome standards. The department also supported the observance of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day earlier this month.

For a list of awareness events going on throughout the state this month, click here. To find a county health department for testing, counseling or treatment, visit the department’s website.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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