Chlamydia In Black America

"Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), damaged fallopian tubes, infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009, Black Americans had 8.7 times the reported Chlamydia rates of Whites. About 48% of all reported Chlamydia (kluh-MID-ee-uh) cases occurred among Blacks. The rate of Chlamydia among Black women was nearly eight (8) times higher than the rate among White women (2,095.5 and 270.2 per 100,000 women, respectively). The Chlamydia rate among Black men was almost twelve (12) times as high as the rate among White men (970.0 and 84.0 cases per 100,000 men, respectively). ¹

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Gonorrhea In Black America

"Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009, Black Americans had 20.5 times the reported Gonorrhea rates of Whites. About 71% of all reported cases of Gonorrhea (ˌgänəˈrēə) occurred among Blacks. The rate of Gonorrhea among Blacks in 2009 was 556.4 cases per 100,000 population, which was 20.5 times higher than the rate among Whites. This disparity has changed little in recent years (17.6 times higher in 2005 and 20.1 times higher in 2008). This disparity was larger for Black men (25.8 times higher) than for Black women (17.0 times higher). ²

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Primary and Secondary Syphilis In Black America

"Syphilis is a sexually transmitted chronic bacterial disease that is contracted chiefly by infection during sexual intercourse, but also congenitally by infection of a developing fetus."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009, Black Americans had 9.1 times the reported Syphilis rates of Whites. During 2008-2009, the rate of Primary and Secondary Syphilis (ˈsifəlis) among Blacks increased 11.6% (from 17.2 to 19.2 cases per 100,000 population). In 2009, 52.4% of all cases reported to CDC were among Blacks and 30.4% of all cases were among Whites. The rate of Primary and Secondary Syphilis among Black men was eight (8) times higher than the rate among White men. The rate among Black women was more than twenty (20) times higher than the rate among White women. ³

Among Black men and women aged 15-19 years and 20-24 years, disparities have increased markedly in recent years as rates of disease have increased. During 2005-2009, rates among men aged 15-19 years increased the most among Black men 167%. During the same period, rates among Black men aged 20-24 years increased 212% (from 30.2 to 94.2 cases per 100,000 population). This increase was the highest reported regardless of age, sex, or race/ethnicity. The 2009 rate among men aged 15-19 years was twenty-six (26) times higher for Blacks than for Whites. ⁴

Among Black women aged 15-24 years, rates increased more than twofold during 2005-2009. In 2009, rates were twenty-nine (29) times higher for Black women aged 15-19 years than for White women of the same age. Recent trends in Syphilis rates in young Black men are of particular concern given data indicating high HIV incidence in this population. ⁵

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The Urgency Of Abstinence Education

"Thou shalt not commit adultery. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." — (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 7:2, KJV)

Teaching is our ministry. Jesus is our model. People are our passion. Transformed lives are our product. And heaven is our goal. This is the essence of Christian education. (Teaching Like Jesus Ministries)

La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D.

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or venereal disease (VD), is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior that includes vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. The CDC data above reveals a self-imposed (sĕlfˌĭm-pōzdˈ) death sentence! Let me be very blunt. Are we preaching and teaching abstinence, the only Biblical prescription for sex? God is not wrong. Abstinence works. We need to step up our game. Here's help. Dr. La Verne Tolbert, is the founder of Teaching Like Jesus Ministries, Director of The Society for Children's Spirituality, a former board member of Planned Parenthood, New York City (1975-1980) and a member of the National Black Pro-Life Coalition. As author of Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education and Keeping You & Your Kids Sexually Pure, a life-changing resource for parents and pastors. Professor Tolbert teaches children's pastors and youth pastors as an adjunct at Azusa Pacific University's graduate school. My friend, Dr. La Verne, is a wife and mother who is a gifted communicator who stresses the urgency of teaching abstinence effectively for such a time as this. Hear ye her.

Brothers, we really need to talk.

Reference(s):
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2009 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance, "STDs in Racial and Ethnic Minorities" (http://1.usa.gov/lXZxqy).
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.