The rampant STD rumor about The Villages first erupted in 2006 after a gynecologist who had moved to the area . By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy. Answer: Theres no reason to be embarrassed about getting tested for STDs. And the doctor was never named. RSS feed for comments on this post. And he accompanies Mr. A primary care physician in the community with ties to The Villages brass did his part to kill the urban myth about rampant STDs in the mega retirement community. Others believe it began with a joke on a radio station. And will it ever go away? People just want to paint the picture that old people here are like young people in New Orleans. Residents of The Villages are, of course, sexually active, said Dr. Marivic Villa, an internist who runs a health clinic in the retirement community. But is the worlds largest retirement community about 80 miles northeast of Tampa really a hotbed for these diseases? Compared to other practitioners, I should. People just want to paint the picture that old people here are like young people in New Orleans. Take a relaxing stroll through Aiken's tree-lined Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes is a new, gated 55+ community in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area. 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In Sumter County, where 80% of the population is from The Villages, the infection rate is 39. Between 1995 and 2005, reported cases of gonorrhea climbed from 152 to 245, syphilis cases rose from 17 to 33 and chlamydia skyrocketed from 52 to 115. The same patterns emerged for diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, among Floridas older adults. Contact Us | Sumter County had one of the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases among older adults in 2019 with about one in 10,000. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. While sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis are surging nationwide, much of this nascent spread is among adults in their teens and 20s, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Villages lore has it that many area residents hook up while at various events in the community, including during a night out on one of the town squares. And theres no reason to believe that will drastically change anytime soon. My doctor in Ohio even, when he asked where we spend time in Florida, stated Oh, The Villages the highest STD rate in the country, wrote Jan Schweitzer on the post. It talked about Villagers having sex in their golf carts. We are more worried about alligators than crabs here, typed Sean Donnelly. The central Florida senior haven has fielded rumors about swingers and public sex for decades. Im scared Ill find out I have an STD. It claimed that some news media outlets took advantage of the opportunity to sensationalize a juicy story that was sure to grab readers attention. Unpacking the most notorious myth about Floridas largest retirement community. Back in 2006, two Orlando news stations released reports describing an increase in the number of STDs diagnosed at a retirement community known as The Villages. Some people love gossip about old people and sex.. The Villages the highest STD rate in the country,'" wrote Jan Schweitzer . The findings concluded that STD rates continue to run rampant in the South, with nearly half of the top 25 cities with the highest STD rates in the South. Privacy Policy. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight. The Best Walkable Places to Retire in South Carolina, Rising Popularity of ADUs a Blessing for Retirees, More Tales of Downsizing and the Household Negotiations Involved. Syphilis Rates in Florida. While as in any county one can find cases of STDs, The Villages is in no way a top place for sexually transmitted diseases. According to a recent study the villages in Florida have a high STD rate. The Villages has more of those goods, services and other amenities per capita than most places in Florida. This is a sprawling set of retirement neighborhoods with access to over 3,000 activities and clubs, plus an astounding 50+ golf courses. The Villages is rocking out with their loofahs out! one commenter quipped. This really has nothing to do with concern about high STD rates it has to do with old people having sex, he said. In reality, I dont see much STDs, said Villa, who has worked in The Villages almost two decades. But that basically means whatever The Villages deem important gets the resources. Florida Counties by STD Rate: Total Gonorrhea, Chlamydia & Infectious Syphilis, 2015 * - Indicates the county rate is statistically significantly different from the statewide rate. Daniel Semenza, assistant professor at, HOUSTON More charges have been filed against a janitor who told investigators that his sickness led him to commit reprehensible and unspeakable acts against employees at a doctors office, John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, the more truths that come out the more cowardly he becomes he harasses tries to intimidate or has someone do, Greg Snyder https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/pa/bristol/gregory-stephen-snyder-13533191, Just disclaimer: He is a narcissist. Answer: Some STDs can be cured with medication but others (like HIV) can only be managed with treatment. As talk of Blechmans book circulated throughout the community and Villagers made a run on local bookstores to get a copy, the second whammy came to life. In the United States, sexually transmitted diseases carry salacious weight despite being remarkably common and highly treatable due to ongoing stigma, said Elizabeth Finley, spokesperson for the National Coalition of S.T.D. The Best States: Where Are Retirees Moving to? Im not saying that theyre not thinking about having sex, she added. The Villages community began growing in the mid-1990s, and at the same time, the Sunshine State saw a rise in STD cases among the over-55 population. In The Villages, 86% of seniors are white, according to U.S. Census data. An estimated 1.2 million people have HIV in the U.S. About 1 in 7 of them dont know they have the virus. Over 18 of the 27-hole course provides elevated scenery at the highest points of Sumter County. What are some of the most common STDs in Florida? One of the pervasive characteristics of sexually transmitted infections is that people turn them into a punchline, Finley said. The mind fuckery, gaslighting, abuse. "Innerbody.coms research team analyzed the latest statistics on a city-by-city basis and developed our list of the top 100 cities with the highest STD rates along with key trends," the study said. SeaCasa1: Oh cachu!! A Tampa Bay Times inquiry on the 38,000-member Facebook group, "The Villages Word of Mouth," was revealing. Disparities also persist in rates of reported STDs among some racial minority or Hispanic groups when compared with rates among non-Hispanic whites, according to the CDC. If you are unable to find the data you seek, feel free to contact us by phone 850-245-4303, or email DCHP.STD.Feedback@flhealth.gov. Isnt that the STD capital of the United States?. In fact, about 30% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis were among non . And the percentage of older adults living in poverty is slightly lower than the national rate, suggesting its retirees may have better access to health care than the country as a whole. States with the lowest rate of infection: Vermont (43) New Hampshire (44.2) Maine (53.1) Wyoming (53.7) Idaho (66) As with the states with the five highest Chlamydia rates, the five states with the highest rate of gonorrhea cases are the same as the previous year, albeit with minor reshuffling in the ranking: South Carolina and Alabama rose a . "My doctor in Ohio even, when he asked where we spend time in Florida, stated 'Oh, The Villages the highest STD rate in the country,'" wrote Jan Schweitzer on the post. A Reddit thread from three years ago posted a helpful guide called Loofah Code as to what each color loofah represents. This is especially true of young people who are not using condoms. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Source: Why is Floridas The Villages known as the STD capital of America?, Your email address will not be published. That's not the way it works. . Why arent they opening the movie theaters? Midnight. He shares sordid details of the Villagers sex life. Apparently, The Villages has been noted as having (one of) the highest rates of STD in the country! A state Department of Health official declined to parse out the agencys data on a more granular level, such as a census-designated place like The Villages, citing privacy concerns. The Villages is about a 15 minute drive North for me. People who are older are just people who are older. Residents of The Villages are, of course, sexually active, said Dr. Marivic Villa, an internist who runs a health clinic in the retirement community. One Redditor, who claims to have worked at the Villages for three years, suggests the loofahs simply help residents find their own vehicles since all the retirees drive similar cars., The reason for the loofas is simple, its so they can find their car. It had legs, said Andrew Blechman, author of Leisureville: Adventures in a World Without Children, a 2009 book on life in The Villages that is referenced in almost all coverage of this issue. Rates of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia among people 55 and older have slightly trended upwards in these counties since 2006, the year the myth about The Villages is believed to have begun. That contrasts with Leon County, home to the capitol and Florida State U., where the rate is 370. They may be embarrassed or scared but its important to remember that getting tested and treated is the best way to protect both of you. And the doctor was never named. Answer: If you think you may have an STD its important to see a healthcare provider right away. It's where you can ha Cresswind Wesley Chapel is a vibrant, brand new 55+ active adult community Located just 40 minutes from Charlotte City Center. There was a heightened awareness of the possibility of promiscuity in The Villages and the story spread like wildfire. Hearsay is a dangerous thing. It was a statement that shed later somewhat recant and clarify, but the damage was done. But so have sexually transmitted disease rates everywhere. Among all age groups nationwide, reported cases of syphilis increased 60 . Friends up north and across Tampa Bay snickered when Brian Lafferty revealed where hed bought a new home. Give us a few moments to clear this up. Leon County, FL . His 30-year-old daughter in Boston called to express concern. The reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia among older adults outpaced the nation's average, according to the analysis. campus, but for seniors. Spread of sexually transmitted diseases among older adults in Florida tended to be higher in counties with major cities and large Black and Latino populations, state data suggest, such as Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In 2009, the New York Post called The Villages ground zero for geriatrics who are seriously getting it on.. Your email address will not be published. Where did this pervasive legend start? Slides with selected figures, data points, a five year summary table, and technical notes are available. Florida's Worst Counties For Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Highest rates.' It's an easy headline. In the United States, sexually transmitted diseases carry salacious weight despite being remarkably common and highly treatable due to ongoing stigma, said Elizabeth Finley, spokesperson for the National Coalition of S.T.D. You should also take precautions to protect yourself from STDs. Florida is one of the top five states in the country when it comes to the prevalence of sexually transmitted illnesses among older persons. Answer: The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested by a healthcare provider. Learn all about the #1 55 place with the retirement lifestyle you've been searching for right here in The Villages, Florida. 4 . Sumter County had one of the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases among older adults in 2019 with about one in 10,000. Now, it's kind of like, I'll just go take a pill every day. For questions, requests and comments, contact the STD section at: 850-245-4303 DCHP.STD.Feedback@flhealth.gov Fax. The same patterns emerged for diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, among Floridas older adults. 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I think my partner has an STD. Consistently ranking as one of the United States' top communities to retire is The Villages in Florida. The Villages is America's premier Active Adult Retirement Community located in sunny central Florida. @media screen and (min-width: 1201px) { Residents hear the joke all too often. Any publicity is good publicity.. For a broader range of data other than the State of Florida, visit the CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases Statistics page. Thats compared to six in 10,000 seniors statewide. Answer: The best way to avoid getting an STD is to abstain from sexual activity. highest std rate college in virginia. 0:01. . And they should be treated with respect, not as a caricature.. STDs. All Rights Reserved. I think theres a little bit of jealousy from the outside, said Christine Wynne, a 50-year-old resident. And he spoke with a woman who was balancing a pencil between her breasts that claimed to work for a local medical center where cases of STDs were out of control. A Tampa Bay Times inquiry on the 38,000-member Facebook group, "The Villages Word of Mouth," was revealing. Compared to Florida overall, however, the three counties containing The Villages tended to have significantly lower rates. Others believe it began with a joke on a radio station. . The Villages is a "city" of 100,000+ people with all of the goods and services you'll need located within its borders. The largest gated retirement community in the United States stretches across three zip codes, 32 miles, and is home to (as of 2017) 115,000 residents, all of them ages 55 and up. What happens if I dont get treated for an STD? Another reason for the high STD rate in the villages is that there is a lot of unprotected sex taking place. 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