Louisiana
Louisiana ranked No. 2 in US for STI rate, No. 1 for chlamidyia rate
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – New research shows that sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in Louisiana.
The CDC ranks Louisiana seventh in the U.S. for cases of congenital syphilis, number three for gonorrhea and No. 1 for chlamydia cases.
Overall, the Bayou State sits at No. 2 for the highest STI rate in the country.
To put it in perspective, per 100,000 people, more than 1,200 have been diagnosed with one or more sexually transmitted infections.
“At Access, we see gonorrhea, chlamydia testing every single day. It’s actually way more frequent than most people actually realize,” Access Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Samantha Marceaux said.
Marceaux and her team have treated thousands of patients for these infections.
“Two to five per day, we’re open seven days a week. I mean, it’s a pretty significant number, especially for how small Southwest Louisiana is,” Marceaux said.
Marceaux believes one of the main reasons Louisiana has continued to climb the ranks is due to the lack of education like in other states such as Vermont, which has the lowest rate of STIs.
“I think you know some people just truly understand STDs. I think we take maybe the lack of education for granted. I think, you know, that education should start in school-age kids because kids are having sex at a very young age right now, and I don’t think they’re mature enough to do so,” Marceaux said.
Some of the symptoms aligned with these infections are visible or physical, but that’s not always the case.
“You can be completely asymptomatic and not necessarily know that you have it,” Marceaux said.
Medical professionals said don’t let the stigma around these issues prevent you from treating them.
“You can get very serious, very serious infections, you know, women or men, from sexually transmitted diseases, so it’s definitely something that you want to treat as soon as you have those initial symptoms or as soon as you know about the exposure,” Marceaux said.
These infections are mostly preventable with the appropriate measures. Untreated STIs can lead to complications that may be deadly.
Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
-
Technology1 minute agoThe future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn
-
World7 minutes agoPope Leo says remarks about world being ‘ravaged by a handful of tyrants’ were not aimed at Trump: report
-
Politics13 minutes agoTrump renews bridge, power plant threat against Iran in push for deal, mocks ‘tough guy’ IRGC
-
Health19 minutes agoLoneliness may be silently eroding your memory, new research reveals
-
Sports25 minutes agoESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd
-
Technology31 minutes agoChinese robot breaks human world record in Beijing half-marathon
-
Business37 minutes agoCivil case against Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust’ movie producers advances toward a trial
-
Entertainment43 minutes agoKarol G at Coachella was a global hit. Yet other foreign acts fear touring the U.S.