Doctors Warn Christian Zealots' ACA Lawsuit Threatens Preventive Care for Millions

… Mitchell's Christian clients—Kelley Orthodontics, Braidwood Management Inc., and several individuals—don't want to "subsidize or provide insurance that encourages and facilitates homosexual behavior, drug use, or sexual activity outside of marriage," the lawyer wrote in a November 2021 court filing. The case was first filed in March 2020. 

 "The government cannot possibly show that forcing private insurers to provide PrEP drugs, the HPV vaccine, and screenings and behavioral counseling for STDs and drug use free of charge is a policy of such overriding importance that it can trump religious freedom objections," states the lawsuit...

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/07/26/doctors-warn-christian-zealots-aca-lawsuit-threatens-preventive-care-millions

Our nation's deadly disregard for sexual health - The Hill

As a nation, we have turned a blind eye to this growing threat. We don't talk enough amongst ourselves or with our kids about STD prevention, let alone healthy sexuality.....

Sexual Health Expert Explains How to Recognize the First Sign of Syphilis - Inverse

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease than has been on the rise in recent months. Fortunately sexual health experts explains that by spotting the sores, or chancres, early and treating them carefully can stop the disease before it spreads...
https://www.inverse.com/article/54105-can-you-pop-a-syphilis-sore

Why Sex-Related Infections Are Spreading Again - FORTUNE

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rebounding in developed countries after being firmly in retreat for decades. The consequences can be devastating. Syphilis, for example, causes more than 200,000 stillbirths and infant deaths worldwide annually, and years later can lead to blindness, dementia or paralysis...
http://fortune.com/2019/03/02/sexually-transmitted-infections-diseases/

STD Rates Have Hit an All-Time High in the U.S.—And Here’s Why - Vogue

For the fourth year running, sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in the U.S. with nearly 2.3 million diagnosed cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highest number ever reported nationwide, it surpasses the record set in 2016 by more than 200,000 cases. ....
https://www.vogue.com/article/stds-all-time-high-rising-cdc-study-government-decreased-funding-planned-parenthood-president-donald-trump-administration-title-x-gag-rule

How Social Conservatism Fueled Russia’s HIV Epidemic - POLITICO

Putin turned to the Orthodox Church to help consolidate his rule. And the Church cracked down on sensible approaches to sexually transmitted diseases. Now, Russia has a crisis on its hands. ....
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/02/25/russia-hiv-aids-epidemic-social-conservatism-orthodox-church-217011?cid=apn

HIV and AIDS: Symptoms, Treatments, and Facts -- VICE

HIV is the most feared STD out there—but should it be? ...
https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/vb7ad8/hiv-aids-symptoms-treatments-and-facts

1 in 9 men in U.S. infected with oral HPV -- CBS News

The sexually transmitted virus can lead to cancers of the head, neck and throat...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/1-in-9-american-men-are-infected-with-oral-hpv/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a

Abstinence Programs Don't Stop Teen Pregnancies Or STDs : Shots - Health News : NPR

Abstaining from sexual activity is a surefire way to prevent pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted diseases. But programs advocating abstinence often fail to prevent young people from having sex, researchers write in the September issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.....
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/23/545289168/abstinence-education-is-ineffective-and-unethical-report-argues

Hunting a Killer: Sex, Drugs and the Return of Syphilis - The New York Times

Outbreaks of a deadly, sexually transmitted disease confound health officials, whose obstacles include drug shortages, uneducated doctors and gangs.....
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/health/syphilis-std-united-states.html?emc=edit_nn_20170824&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=78638145&src=twr&te=1&_r=1

Oral sex spreading unstoppable bacteria - BBC News

Oral sex is producing dangerous gonorrhoea and a decline in condom use is helping it to spread, the World Health Organization has said. It warns that if someone contracts gonorrhoea, it is now much harder to treat, and in some cases impossible. The sexually transmitted infection is rapidly developing resistance to antibiotics. Experts said the situation was "fairly grim" with few new drugs on the horizon....
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40520125

This STD is becoming 'smarter' and harder to treat -- CNN

Gonorrhea is becoming harder and in some cases impossible to treat with antibiotics, the World Health Organization said. ...
http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/07/health/resistant-gonorrhea-antibiotics/index.html