Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri while supplies last is offering free (small copay may apply) testing for teens and young adults for chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV throughout April, the "Get Yourself Tested" STD Awareness Month.

Based upon a study published in 2004 by Cates, Herndon, Schulz and Darroch for the UNC Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication, as many as one in two sexually active young people will contract an STD by age 25--and most won't know it.

Approximately 19 million new STDs occur every year in the US, most going undiagnosed, reports Planned Parenthood. Since many STDs have no symptoms, those infected unknowingly infect others. When left untreated, STDs may increase the risk of HIV infection, infertility and cancer.

In Joplin, Planned Parenthood is located at 710 Illinois. Phone (417) 781-6500.

Go Back