What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Youth STD Rates, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean black and white children are equally likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

Black youth in the region are nearly nine times as likely as white youth to be diagnosed with chlamydia. Black youth were diagnosed with chlamydia at a rate of 6,142 cases per 100,000 people, while white youth were diagnosed at a rate of 713 cases per 100,000 people.

If STD rates were equitable, there would have been:

• 8,985 fewer chlamydia diagnoses per 1,000 people in the City of St. Louis,
• 1,877 fewer chlamydia diagnoses per 1,000 people in St. Charles County, and
• 5,421 fewer chlamydia diagnoses per 1,000 people in St. Louis County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlamydia is reported at a rate of 1,929.2  cases per 100,000 people age 15-19 nationally. The region’s rate of chlamydia is over twice this amount, and the City of St. Louis’s chlamydia rate is over four times this amount. In addition, the national rate of reported cases of chlamydia among black people was 5.6 times the rate among white people. St. Louis County’s racial disparity in infection rates is nearly double the national average, and the racial disparity in chlamydia diagnoses in the region overall is 150% than the national average.

Why do Youth STD Rates Matter?

Because chlamydia is an asymptomatic disease, the number of reported cases is probably an underestimate of actual incidence. Untreated, chlamydia has long lasting physical effects on women’s health, including increased risk of infertility. According to the City of St. Louis Department of Health: “Women with untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea develop pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility. Babies born to women with untreated STIs may suffer death or experience significant damage and sometimes permanent disability. STIs can increase the risk of HIV transition and acquisition.” The latest reports from the City of St. Louis Department of Health report that 70% of all chlamydia cases occur in youth between the ages of 13 and 24, and that 80% of youth with chlamydia are black.

WHICH CALLS TO ACTION FROM THE FERGUSON COMMISSION’s REPORT ARE LINKED WITH THIS INDICATOR?

The Ferguson Commission report included calls to action to:

• Deliver Trauma-Informed Care
• End Shame and Stigma
• Establish School-Based Health Centers & Trauma-Informed Schools

Questions for Further Investigation:

• Why is there a racial disparity in Youth STD Rates?
• What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Youth STD Rates?
• What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Youth STD Rates?

Youth STD Data