“April is recognized as Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month and brings attention to the nearly 20 million new STDs that occur in the United States each year. While STDs affect all racial and ethnic groups, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations are affected at a higher rate.

In November 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its latest Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance Report  , showing the highest rates of STDs in 20 years. The report identifies that in 2015, AI/ANs had the second highest rates for both chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, and AI/AN women had the second highest primary and secondary syphilis rates among all race groups. Reports of congenital syphilis (CS), a disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy, is particularly concerning among AI/ANs.”

Indian Health Service
The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

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