The past three years have seen a dramatic rise in STDs, particularly among young people. In 2010, there were 1,392 new cases of STDs per 100,000 people in Leon County. The state of Florida’s rate is 507 per 100,000 people—almost three times smaller. In 2011, the total number of STDs was raised, particularly among young people. The total number among Leon County residents ages 20-24 was 1,821, with a rate of 4,176.9 per 100,000. 50 percent of chlamydia infections and 44.1 percent of gonorrhea infections came from the 20-24 age group, which constitutes a significant portion of college students living in Leon County. In fact, Leon County has the seventh highest rate of STDs in the entire state, behind more urban and populous counties such as Miami-Dade, Orange, and Hillsborough. However, these counties do not have the higher institutions of learning and student body populations that Leon County does. Help us to get these numbers out there. A public awareness campaign can help people realize that this is real, and that protection is required. You can help improve public health in Leon County. Let's get the County Commission and the Public Health Unit to start a real, comprehensive public awareness campaign!