The city of Philadelphia, in response to alarming rates of chlamydia among its high school students, has implemented a program offering screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to its students. In an effort to improve public health, the city is doing a great service to its youth and providing a shining example of civic responsibility.
According to an Associated Press story appearing on CNN.com on Nov. 30, one in 12 females and one in 20 males between the ages of 15 and 19 are infected with chlamydia. With 50,000 high school students in Philadelphia, close to 3,000 students could potentially test positive; all the students in the district will be given access to the tests and treatments and notified through mail of the project's existence. The procedures are voluntary and confidential so as not to infringe on the rights of the individuals involved.
According to Jack Schwartz, Erie County Department of Health epidemiologist, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the high school demographic, followed by gonorrhea. 12.4 percent of Erie County residents aged 15 to 19 test positive for the disease, as compared to only 2.6 percent in the entire Erie County population. The city of Buffalo's numbers are even worse, as 35.2 percent of the same age bracket has gonorrhea to the city's general 7.5 percent.
Fortunately, the Buffalo School District is actively teaching sex education and prevention measures, according to David Thomas, director of physical education, health and athletics in the district. While the district cannot provide testing and treatment as Philadelphia has, the policy is to refer students to the proper clinics and facilities if they have medical needs or questions.
Buffalo's schools need to continue to do as they have been, teaching prevention and pointing students in the right direction for medical assistance. There is little but awareness and education that can fight the STD epidemic, and Buffalo is doing well by its students in this regard.
Public schools, and in particular high schools, have a responsibility to look after the welfare of their charges. The school system is the daytime guardian of its students, and it must provide the education and opportunity needed for a student to be a healthy individual. Education about available options can be accomplished by as little as the distribution of fliers with information about STDs, preventative measures, and places to get treatment in the event of an illness.
STDs are obviously a serious matter, and due attention has thankfully been paid to it by the large educational bureaucracies of city school districts. No one should have to be reminded of the dire consequences that come with acquiring such a disease, but students - often na??ve and impulsive - need to be educated about what can come of their behavior. School districts, being on the front lines in this campaign, must be compelled to act in the best interests of their students, and in this instance, signs point to them acting accordingly.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
