Kids Matter! - 2008

HEALTHY CHILDREN

Teen Violent Deaths & Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Over the past five years, the local rate of teen violent deaths declined considerably from 2003 to 2005, however, teen violent deaths spiked afterwards. Homicide and motor vehicle crashes constitute the majority of the local teen deaths.

The incidents of teens (ages 13-19) with a STD in our community have been trending upward since 2003. Some of this increase may be the result of better detection, but numbers are likely underreported since many infections go undetected. Sexual contact and unprotected sexual intercourse, along with other risky behaviors such as consuming alcohol or drugs, increase the probability of contracting a STD. In 2007, there were 893 STD cases for this age group, which is the highest number recorded over the past five years.