The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

STDs:
A Rise Thanks to Cuts in Public Health

Oct 31, 2016

Total combined cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis reported in 2015 reached the highest number ever, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Close to two million people suffered from these diseases in 2015.

These sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the three most commonly reported conditions in the U.S. and have reached a record high level. The largest increases in reported cases occurred very recently.

STDs can have serious long term health consequences, including chronic pain and fertility problems. Pregnant women can pass syphilis on to their children, leading to stillbirth or birth defects.

STDs are relatively easy to treat with antibiotics. But, according to the CDC: “Many of the country’s systems for preventing STDs have eroded.... In recent years more than half of state and local STD programs have experienced budget cuts, resulting in more than 20 health department STD clinic closures in one year alone. Fewer clinics mean reduced access to STD testing and treatment for those who need these services.”

Simply put, the federal and state governments cut healthcare funding, causing the spread of easily preventable diseases.

There should not have been any cuts. Because the money is there. For example, the federal government committed 12.2 trillion dollars to bail out the banks and car companies in 2011, according to the New York Times.

Thus, the government has mind-boggling amounts of money. This is a rich people’s government, not ours.