Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 1996

Division of STD Prevention September 1997

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Public Health Service 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention 
Division of STD Prevention 
Atlanta, Georgia 30333

Copyright Information 

All material contained in this report is in the public domain and may be
used and reprinted without special permission; citation to source, however,
is appreciated.

Suggested Citation

Division of STD Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance,
1996. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 1997.

Copies can be obtained from the Office of Communications, National Center
for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-06, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

The reports for 1993 through 1996 are available electronically on CDC
WONDER. For information about registering for CDC WONDER, please contact
CDC's Epidemiology Program Office at (888) 496-8347. These reports are also
available from the Internet via the CDC home page address
http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/data/Reports.html. 


Foreword

"STDs are hidden epidemics of enormous health and economic consequence in
the United States. They are hidden because many Americans are reluctant to
address sexual health issues in an open way and because of the biologic and
social characteristics of these diseases. All Americans have an interest in
STD prevention because all communities are impacted by STDs and all
individuals directly or indirectly pay for the costs of these diseases.
STDs are public health problems that lack easy solutions because they are
rooted in human behavior and fundamental societal problems. Indeed, there
are many obstacles to effective prevention efforts. The first hurdle will
be to confront the reluctance of American society to openly confront issues
surrounding sexuality and STDs. Despite the barriers, there are existing
individual- and community-based interventions that are effective and can be
implemented immediately. That is why a multifaceted approach is necessary
to both the individual and community levels.

To successfully prevent STDs, many stakeholders need to redefine their
mission, refocus their efforts, modify how they deliver services, and
accept new responsibilities. In this process, strong leadership, innovative
thinking, partnerships, and adequate resources will be required. The
additional investment required to effectively prevent STDs may be
considerable, but it is negligible when compared with the likely return on
the investment. The process of preventing STDs must be a collaborative one.
No one agency, organization, or sector can effectively do it alone; all
members of the community must do their part. A successful national
initiative to confront and prevent STDs requires widespread public
awareness and participation and bold national leadership from the highest
levels" (1).

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(1) Concluding Statement from the Institute of Medicine's Summary Report,
    The Hidden Epidemic: Confronting Sexually Transmitted Diseases,
    National Academy Press, 1997, p.43.

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