Sexually transmitted diseases : challenges for control, with emphasis on Ventura County

Includes bibliographical references (pages 63-65)The primary purpose of this study is to explore the threat to\ud public health posed by the current upsurge of sexually transmitted diseases\ud and to suggest the approach that appropriate public agencies must take if\ud this epidemic is to be controlled. The general conclusion is that the general\ud public must be educated on the nature and seriousness of the problem and\ud that the state legislature must provide funding for education and research.\ud The challenge requires a comprehensive plan and coordinated action. Failure\ud to develop an effective public health focus on control of such diseases will\ud result in very damaging consequences to individuals, to families, to\ud communities, and to future generations.\ud Several sexually transmitted diseases are discussed, including the\ud history and the effects of these diseases. The medical aspects of four of\ud the sexually transmitted diseases are described because it is necessary for\ud the reader to have a knowledge of these diseases in order to understand the\ud challenges to the control of such diseases.\ud The study focuses on various reasons that control efforts have\ud been more limited in America than elsewhere. These reasons include lack of \ud understanding of the disease entity, need for further research, high costs; and\ud mutations of the disease, that is, changes in the diseases themselves.\ud Furthermore, the fact that the public has not thought of sexually transmitted\ud diseases as communicable diseases but rather as a moral issue magnifies the\ud problem. The prevalent attitude that, "Sinners need to be punished for their\ud sins" is perhaps one of the greatest barriers to control of sexually\ud transmitted diseases. This attitude must be changed to protect the next\ud generation and society as a whole from the damaging effects of the diseases\ud examined in this study.\ud The study discusses a plan to change attitudes and to increase\ud funding from the federal, state, and county governments as well as from\ud voluntary contributions, in order to increase efforts to control sexually\ud transmitted diseases. This plan can be implemented primarily by educating\ud and arousing the public and major organized groups who would receive\ud benefit from control programs, research, and education on sexually\ud transmitted diseases. There is dire need to stimulate civic-minded people to\ud contact public officials and urge their support in obtaining increased funding\ud for such control programs.\ud In addition, the study examines and evaluates control efforts\ud presently being made in Ventura County, California, and offers suggestions\ud for improvement within present budgetary provisions