RivCo Health Department Receives Funds to Fight STDs

By City News Service:

The Board of Supervisors this week authorized the Riverside County Department of Public Health to accept a $592,220 state grant in support of a program aimed at treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly among the county’s youth, whose STD numbers remain high.

The California Department of Pubic Health’s STD Control Branch awarded the four-year grant to the county in the interest of “promoting awareness and the prevention of STDs,” according to a county health department statement.

“This grant will (help) increase access to and use of high-quality screening and clinical services for STD clients and allow increased partner evaluation, treatment and counseling services,” the statement said.

According to the health department, chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and related diseases are priority concerns under the agency’s “Core STD Program.”

“The rates of both chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the highest in the state within the (county’s) adolescent and young adult populations,” according to the health department.

The agency seeks to prevent the propagation of STDs through treatment and clinical investigations that entail tracking down “a patient’s sexual and social network contacts” and ensuring they have access to screenings and other options necessary to stop transmission at the source.

The California Department of Public Health will require regular reports from the county to monitor program effectiveness and expenditures.

The state funds will be disbursed at a maximum of $148,055 annually, according to health officials.

(IMAGE via shutterstock)