October 30, 2018
For More Information Contact
Kathryn W. Goodman, Public Information Officer (434) 270-4802
(Charlottesville, Va.) – In response to increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD) has launched a multi-media campaign that encourages people to get tested for STIs. Campaign advertisements will run through December 1, 2018 (World AIDS Day) and will include social media, digital, radio, and print advertisements throughout TJHD, which includes the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson Counties.
2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the United States is experiencing steep, sustained increases in STIs. From 2013 to 2017, the number of syphilis cases increased by 76% and the number of gonorrhea cases increased by 67%. Additionally, there was a 154% increase in congenital syphilis cases (when a mother passes syphilis to her baby during pregnancy).
“If you have ever been sexually active, you could be at risk for having an STI and not even know it,” said Jason Elliott, TJHD Community Testing Coordinator. “Most STIs don’t show any signs or symptoms, so the best way for people to know their status is to get tested.”
Along with the media campaign, TJHD successfully competed for and received grant funding to address the increasing rates of STIs by:
- Expanding sexual health services to offer evening and weekend STI testing clinics, in addition to weekly sexual health clinics. These clinics provide testing and treatment for common infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
- Offering free rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing in community settings through the #TJstatus program.
- Expanding the Condom Distribution Program which provides free safer sex items, like condoms and lube, and education to individuals and organizations throughout the district.
For clinic hours or more information about STI testing and prevention, people can call their local health department or visit www.TJHD.org.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Dept.
Address: 1138 Rose Hill Drive,
Charlottesville, Va.
Phone: 434-972-6269
Fluvanna County Health Department
Address: 132 Main St., Route 15, Palmyra, Va.
Phone: 434-591-1960
Greene County Health Department
Address: 50 Stanard Street, Stanardsville, Va.
Phone: 434-985-2262
Louisa County Health Department
Address: 540 Industrial Drive, Louisa, Va.
Phone: 540-967-3703
Nelson County Health Department
Address: 4038 Thomas Nelson Highway
Arrington, Va.
Phone: 434-263-8315