DEIBXXEM2407 - CME/CMLE - Recent Advances in STI and Women’s Health Testing-Recent Advances in STI and Women’s Health Testing

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Latanza Adams, a staff pathologist at the VA Portland Health Care System, opened with humor and expressed gratitude for the chance to speak on STDs before Michelle Obama’s session. She showcased statistical data on the rising cases of STDs in the U.S., particularly highlighting that one in five people had an STD in 2018, costing nearly $16 billion in direct medical expenses. Dr. Adams noted significant increases in STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea from 2018 to 2019.<br /><br />Dr. Adams discussed the difficulty in gathering accurate 2020 data due to COVID-19, which affected STD screenings and routine clinic visits. She emphasized the need for cautious interpretation of the statistics, as pandemic-related factors influenced sexual behavior and limited public transportation.<br /><br />The presentation included interactive case studies that dealt with infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas vaginalis, and mycoplasma genitalium. Each case illustrated the symptoms, testing procedures, and challenges in diagnosing and managing these infections. <br /><br />Dr. Adams highlighted the importance of increased awareness about STDs in women, the advancements in molecular testing methods, and the role of point-of-care testing. She also engaged with the audience’s questions, discussing factors like changing sexual behaviors due to dating apps and the variability in sexual education, addressing the pressing concerns of both in-person and virtual attendees.

Keywords

STDs

Dr. Latanza Adams

statistical data

chlamydia

gonorrhea

COVID-19 impact

molecular testing

sexual behavior