sexually transmitted diseases

Why this is important: Engaging in unsafe sexual activity can have unintended and lasting consequences. STDs can harm reproductive and general health and cause psychological and emotional harm. The reported rate of STDs underestimates the true prevalence of disease because many infections are asymptomatic and undiagnosed, and some of the more prevalent viral infections are not reported at all.

Definition: Rate of reported cases of STDs per 100,000 individuals; STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, primary and secondary syphilis.

Data Source: Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Calculations and presentation of data by Spokane Regional Health District, Data Center. National notifiable conditions. www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, for national population.