STDs Climbing in Over 50 Crowd

For other STDs, an annual 2004-05 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report showed the following number of cases for people over 40 per 100,000 population: Syphilis up from 4.0 to 4.8 individuals Chlamydia rose from 33.4 to 37 Gonorrhea increased from 40.9 to 45.1 Jeffers and DiBartolo say some experts believe this age group is more sexually active than previous generations thanks to popular erectile dysfunction medications and hormone replacement. Other experts cite baby boomers' more liberal sexual attitudes, high divorce rates, and increased use of online dating services. Several steps are urgently needed to stem the STD wave, Jeffers and DiBartolo say. Health care professionals first need to help patients feel comfortable discussing sexual matters, then educate them about risks. Providers should also do thorough physical assessments and screening tests, especially for HIV. "Initiatives need to be developed to assist older adults in coping with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and other STDs," the authors write. Support networks could help them on a personal level, and government agencies, insurance companies, senior organizations like AARP, and communities should promote awareness by including STD facts in newsletters and other publications. Originally published by MEDSURG Nursing Journal.