Quote:
Originally Posted by Steeler Fan
When I tell people that I bought in The Villages people do not hesitate to tell me that The Villages has the highest rate of VD in the state. Oh my, is that what people think of us? I have heard that over and over again.
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Since I bought last year, I have heard the STD thing dozens and dozens of times. So here are THE FACTS, gleaned from the CDC, Florida Dept. of Health, and the Census Bureau:
These rates are per 100,000 population and reflect syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia:
National rate: 566.9
Florida rate 538.0
Marion County 520.1
Lake County 377.1
Sumter County 277.9
Now for age adjustment:
statewide over 55:
GC: 313/19,555 cases
chlamydia: 411/77,851
syphilis: 78/1,375
So, if we assume 85% of TV population at peak season of 120,000 there would be 100,000 residents over 55. Florida has close to 20 million residents, about 30% over 55 = 6 million. Therefore about 1/60 of Florida's 55+ population lives in TV. If we evenly distribute the above 55+ cases across the state, we get expected STD cases in TV/year of:
GC: 5.2 cases
chlamydia: 6.8 cases
syphilis: 1.2 cases
And even these numbers are skewed a bit high since not all 55+ residents of these 3 counties live in TV
Hardly epidemic proportions, as you can see your chances (randomly) of contracting a STD is about 1% of the national average. Personal behavior will influence your individual odds
I wish the facts would put the rumor to bed, but we all know it will not happen