Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:    September 6, 2005    Kill Date:  October 21, 2005

Contact Person:     LaQueisa Wilkerson, BS
                                    Genesee County Health Department

Phone:                      (810) 257-3440

RE:                             Take Your Partner for a Checkup
                                    September 20- October 20, 2005

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a major health threat in the United States . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 19 million STD infections occur annually, almost half of them among youth ages 15 to 24. Many individuals wrongly assume they are tested during routine medical examinations for major STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, HPV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, when such testing is generally not done. The CDC recommends that partners should get tested for HIV and other STDs before initiating sexual intercourse.

Currently, outside the city of Detroit , Genesee County has the highest number of gonorrhea cases and the third highest number of chlamydia cases in the state. Moreover, there are significant racial disparities in rates of most STDs including HIV in Genesee County . So Come Downtown Before You Get Down and “Take Your Partner for a Checkup.” This campaign is an effort to participate in the national “Take A Loved One for a Checkup Day” campaign and motivate county residents to seek out regular sexual health checkups.

On Tuesday, September 20, 2005 , Americans nationwide will celebrate “Take A Loved One for a Checkup Day”. This is a national campaign declared by former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The “Take A Loved One for a Checkup Day” campaign encourages individuals to take charge of their health by visiting a health professional, making an appointment for a visit, attending a health event in the community, or helping a friend, neighbor, or family member do the same.

The local campaign will begin September 20, 2005 and continue throughout October, with a goal of increasing awareness about the sexual health services available at the Genesee County Health Department. The McCree Courts & Human Service Center downtown Flint location, at the Adult Clinic, provides county residents 13 and older with the following services to protect their sexual health: information about STD’s/HIV; access to new urine testing instead of the older and more invasive swab test; confidential STD counseling, testing, & treatment; anonymous HIV counseling & testing; partner treatment & notification services; and a variety of condoms. Give-a-ways, such as a membership to UM-Flint Recreation Center , movie passes and gift certificates will also be available while supplies last. Walk-ins will be accepted.

            For more information about Coming Downtown Before You Get Down and “Take Your Partner for a Checkup” please contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3440.