The “Just Check” campaign is being launched by the Louisiana Department of Health in an effort to address the rising number of syphilis cases in the state. Chaquetta Johnson is the Deputy Director of Operations for the Louisiana STD/HIV Hepatitis Program says, “this campaign is centered around STD awareness and increasing the public’s awareness of the increasing syphilis numbers around central and north Louisiana.”
Johnson notes that syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection that had been on the decline, but has been increasing in the northeast part of the state. She says the “Just Check” campaign was prompted by the fact that one in three new syphilis cases in Louisiana are being found in the north and central parts of the state.
“We’re really being aggressive in trying to educate the public via billboards and radio spots and engaging with the media to promote this program in the community,” said Johnson.
Johnson says the “Just Check” campaign urges those concerned about possibly having syphilis to get checked and educated about syphilis, with the LDH noting that a majority of cases involve men who are otherwise healthy under the age of 40.
She says Louisiana ranks ninth in the United States for primary and secondary syphilis and fifth for congenital syphilis.
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