It wasnt long before crews from Orlando television stations descended on the community and the story became even more legendary. Answer: The best way to protect yourself from STDs is by using condoms every time you have sex. In 2009, the New York Post called The Villages ground zero for geriatrics who are seriously getting it on.. Contact Us | He was quoted as saying that neither he nor his colleagues had seen any kind of increase in STDs in the 5,000 patients they treated. In fact, looking at statistics from the Florida Department of Health, it is at the bottom for cases per 100,000 residents. Blechman, the author of Leisureville, suspected ageism plays a role. And he accompanies Mr. Cresswind inspires active adults to live life to the ful Cascades at Embrey Mill is a brand new and vibrant active adult neighborhood located within the master-planned community of Embrey Mill, February 5, 2021 Any time the subject of The Villages (TV) in Central Florida comes up in conversation, the chances are that someone will chime in with the tidbit that the popular active community is the STD capital of the US. The county we live in and share, Sumter county, is unfortunately in love with The Villages, and rightfully so given the amount of money that flows through that place. But perhaps no myth is more ubiquitous or more enduring than the idea of rampant rates of sexually transmitted diseases. Nonsense, Castor says. In 2014, with the urban legend of STDs still alive and well, the Sex on the Square story broke. His 30-year-old daughter in Boston called to express concern. But rumors travel fast in communities with shared values and histories. How distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Floridas health care system. @media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) { THE VILLAGES, Fla. Friends up north and across Tampa Bay snickered when Brian Lafferty revealed where hed bought a new home. We are more worried about alligators than crabs here, typed Sean Donnelly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Site Map | Florida is one of the top five states in the country when it comes to the prevalence of sexually transmitted illnesses among older persons. 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. While as in any county one can find cases of STDs, The Villages is in no way a top place for sexually transmitted diseases. However, not everyone agrees on the meaning behind the decorative ornaments. Compared to other practitioners, I should. Press | Sometimes, they cited data about the states rising rates of sexually transmitted infections among seniors as proof that the same held true in The Villages. In fact the STD rate in the villages is higher than the STD rate in the rest of the state. . Stories abound about promiscuity, wild times, key clubs, and all kinds of rampant sexual behavior. were focusing on COVID. Some residents wondered why Mark Morse, the developer who owns The Villages, hadnt spoken out to correct the record. We've received your submission. I feel like I have to justify to every single person I know that I didnt buy this place to chase women, said Lafferty, who is 69 and single. Covering an area larger than Manhattan, The Villages spans three Florida counties Sumter, Marion and Lake. 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. . It claimed that the ratio of women to men in the community was 10 to 1. 1,686. Florida reportable STD information and data may be found on the Florida Charts interactive website. People of color, LGBTQ people and women experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted diseases due to social determinants of health that are more likely to impact marginalized groups. The Villages, a mammoth retirement community that was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation two years ago, is no stranger to folklore. Half of all infections are among people 15 to 24. Florida Department of Health in Lake County Address: 2113 West Griffin Road Leesburg, FL 34748 Number: (352) 360-6548. During an interview, the OB-GYN reported that shed treated more cases of herpes and human papillomavirus at The Villages than she did when she practiced in Miami. Blechman also told the exploits of a 63-year-old bachelor known as Mr. Copyright 2022 by The Associated Press All rights reserved. Fact or Myth: The Villages Is the STD Capital of the US? Im scared Ill find out I have an STD. The Innerbody study breaks down the top 100 cities with the highest STD rates, and Baltimore and D.C. both made the top 20. Answer: If you think your partner has an STD its important to talk to them about it. Megamenu requires javascript to be enabled in your browser. People who are older are just people who are older. Any publicity is good publicity.. 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. Williamstown , New Jersey: Guy Luongo Gaetano Luongo. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that Florida is leading the nation in the number of new HIV infections, and has the third highest rate of infection, behind the District of Columbia and Georgia. Similarly for rates of chlamydia, the overall rate for Florida is 525.5 while Leon Countys is 1147 and Sumters 157. Since then many people, especially those who live in and/or promote The Villages, have done their best to set the record straight. you can anticipate to spend between $807 and $1,262 per month to live in The Villages, Florida, depending on your home choice and the associated fees. The Womens Center of The Villages is no longer open. You should also take precautions to . 1 city on the list was Baltimore, Maryland followed by Jackson, Mississippi and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Tallahassee has two major universities and a community college which accounts . Required fields are marked *. In The Villages, 86% of seniors are white, according to U.S. Census data. However, by all accounts, it appears that the "STD Capital of the World" claim is overblown. And they should be treated with respect, not as a caricature.. Its safe, and everyones happy. 850-414-8103 Mailing Address. My grandmother lives in Florida. Now, it's kind of like, I'll just go take a pill every day. It goes back to the old advertising world saying, he said. This may include medication lifestyle changes or both. One of the pervasive characteristics of sexually transmitted infections is that people turn them into a punchline, Finley said. It goes back to the old advertising world saying, he said. Answer: If left untreated STDs can cause serious health problems like infertility cancer and even death. Because theres so much shame associated with them.. display: block; 0:01. According to a recent study the villages in Florida have a high STD rate. Compared to Florida overall, however, the three counties containing The Villages tended to have significantly lower rates. 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. A moderator disabled comments on the post within days. Moreover, there have been rumors of residents engaging in activity that may have raised STD rates in the community. Florida identified 4,584 new HIV diagnoses, according to the most recent data available from the federal agency's HIV . .kxikc63ffb4b933c33 { Florida identified 4,584 new HIV diagnoses, according to the most recent data available from the federal agencys HIV surveillance report, which collected data from 2015 to 2019. The No. An estimated 1.2 million people have HIV in the U.S. About 1 in 7 of them dont know they have the virus. The CDC estimates that this accounts for only 86.5% of all people with HIV in Florida. Similarly for rates of chlamydia, the overall rate for Florida is 525.5 while Leon Countys is 1147 and Sumters 157. Had you heard the accounts of The Villages as the STD capital? She later modified her account, but the damage was done. Defund Planned Parenthood? Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? People just want to paint the picture that old people here are like young people in New Orleans. While there is no reported number of STD cases specifically from the Villages, the three Florida counties containing the Villages actually have lower STD rates than other Florida counties. Automate your online reviews with a few simple clicks & respond to reviews in 1 place Chlamydia Rate . Old People. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a college student, or even a civil group, below you can learn where to find data pertaining to STDs and the impact on your community. 1 book in nation before enthusiastic crowd in The Villages, Landlord in The Villages blames tenants in dispute over derelict homes, Villagers among Trump backers demonstrating at DeSantis book event in Leesburg, Sumter commissioners approve design contract for new sheriffs shooting range, Driver hospitalized after vehicle crashes through fence on County Road 466, DUI suspect blames intoxication on impending divorce, Circle K clerk accused of stealing lottery tickets and splitting winnings with friend. The same patterns emerged for diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, among Floridas older adults. A moderator disabled comments on the post within days. The Villages is about a 15 minute drive North for me. STDs. Fv 27, 2023 . Do you have any other pet urban legends that should be dispelled? Copyright 2018 55places.com, a division of Neighborhoods.com. Notoriously averse to media interviews, Morse and The Villages community relations team did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Residents hear the joke all too often. This story has been shared 149,611 times. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight. Privacy Policy. Answer: The cost of STD testing varies depending on the type of tests you need and where you get them. 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. @media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) { He puts on a wonderful act for people that, Medical WordPress Theme Copyright 2022 STDMonitor.com, Why is Floridas The Villages known as the STD capital of America?. . Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise nationally in the wake of the pandemic. Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for 2 Tampa murders, When will Social Security sunset? Read his Letter to the Editor. Hillsborough reported 285 HIV cases in 2019, and Pinellas reported 196. The city had 1,502 STD cases reported per 100,000. Barring congressional changes, money will deplete by 2034, Florida should not execute a person with mental illness | Column, Those accused of discrimination would have new protections under Florida bill, Want to vote early, Tampa? Marion and Lake bore similar trends. The Orlando Sentinel article asserts that The Villages is 98 percent white. While as in any county one can find cases of STDs, The Villages is in no way a top place for sexually transmitted diseases . Roy Rowlett wrote: It doesnt matter what the truth is. "I do believe The Villages area is in line with the rest of the state," Willis says. People of color, LGBTQ people and women experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted diseases due to social determinants of health that are more likely to impact marginalized groups. 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. This story has been shared 101,193 times. People who are older are just people who are older. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); STDs are common and getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have an infection. Many of her patients come seeking testosterone therapy to improve their sex lives. I think that fueled some of those rumors.. Directors. Even when adjusting for population, Florida's syphilis rate is among the top 10 and is higher than the national rate. The Villages Florida Does the Villages in Florida have the highest STD rate?-----Our mission is informing people correctly. The study reported that Pensacola has 950 STD cases per 100,000 population . When barriers to health care are high, so are rates of sexually transmitted diseases, studies show. Work as a SW , STD and STI cases on the rise in Nueces County, State of Texas, @Communicourt: @UNAIDS U=U means Undetectable equals Untransmittable. 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. According to a 2018 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, males aged 65 and older had a 16.7 percent rise in syphilis diagnoses. We have the largest Democratic Club in the entire State of Florida (by A LOT) and that is where you will make your friends. Loofah sponges may clean your body but theyre apparently a sexy sign that people are getting down and dirty. 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. But perhaps no myth is more ubiquitous or more enduring than the idea of rampant rates of sexually transmitted diseases. Tampa mayors chief of staff for police chief? Heres where to do it and what you need, Rays Shane McClanahan already hitting upper 90s nice to see. What should I do? In Central Florida, where The Villages and other retirement communities sprawl across several counties, reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia increased 71 percent among those 55 and older in that same period. If you are unable to find the data you seek, feel free to contact us by phone 850-245-4303, or email [email protected]. } 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 . Half of all infections are among people 15 to 24. What should I do? Many of her patients come seeking testosterone therapy to improve their sex lives. Its safe, and everyones happy. A Tampa Bay Times inquiry on the 38,000-member Facebook group, The Villages Word of Mouth, was revealing. } Residents hear the joke all too often. We go there a lot to eat or see a movie. Blechman, the author of Leisureville, suspected ageism plays a role. Im not saying that theyre not thinking about having sex, she added. It goes back to the old advertising world saying, he said. 61 among the top 100 U.S. cities with the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases. "My doctor in Ohio even, when he asked where we spend time in Florida, stated . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And while cases of chlamydia had risen in Lake County since 2000, the numbers remained flat in Sumter and Marion counties. Requested URL: www.55places.com/blog/10-major-myths-rumors-about-the-villages, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_5 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) CriOS/103.0.5060.63 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. The Villages, Florida, USA - October 24, 2020: Golf carts parked downtown at Market Square in Sumter Landing. And so why do I have to be careful?". The central Florida senior haven has fielded rumors about swingers and public sex for decades. With almost 450 homes sold per month, the gated 55+ community was the fastest growing metro in the United . Cadence at Lansdowne is a brand new 55+ active adult community offering a vibrant lifestyle in Lansdowne, Virginia. I bought it because I want to play golf.. Does The Villages have the highest STD rate? It claimed that some news media outlets took advantage of the opportunity to sensationalize a juicy story that was sure to grab readers attention. [email protected]. It talked about Villagers having sex in their golf carts. Classifieds | Answer: Symptoms of STDs vary depending on the infection. display: block; Both served jail time as a result of the escapade. I feel like I have to justify to every single person I know that I didnt buy this place to chase women, said Lafferty, who is 69 and single. For questions, requests and comments, contact the STD section at: 850-245-4303 [email protected] Fax. The high STD rate in the villages is a cause for concern. Im not saying that theyre not thinking about having sex, she added. And will it ever go away? Some say a disgruntled nurse hurled it as an insult. And if that wasnt enough, later in the year Villagers Charm Ann Gilbert and James Richard Adams were arrested and accused of having a sexual escapade on a utility box at the intersection of Morse Boulevard and El Camino Real. By using this site, you agree to the
According to the Florida Department of Health, as of 2019, there are 116,689 Floridians diagnosed with the infection. Low 63F. And South Florida saw a 60 percent rise in those two . Florida tracks sexually transmitted diseases by county of residence. STD rates are climbing among people 55 and older. Answer: The best way to avoid getting an STD is to abstain from sexual activity. The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts. Copyright 2006-2023 Topretirements.com. ORLANDO, Fla. - A new study ranks Orlando, Gainesville, and Jacksonville among the top 100 list of U.S. cities for sexually transmitted diseases. } In December 2017 with the STD rumor amazingly still circulating across the community an article published in Seniors Health took on the controversy. In 2019 the States overall rate of infection for gonorrhea was 175 per 100,000 population. 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. SeaCasa1: Oh cachu!! Without exception, every person Ive told I bought a house in The Villages has asked the same thing, Lafferty said. Statistics from the Florida Department of Health seemed to support the doctor's claim, as the rate of syphilis and gonorrhea cases in the tri-county area had remained steady from 2000 to 2004. Connect With The Villages Real Estate Agents. Answer: If you test positive for an STD your healthcare provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan. In Sumter County, where 80% of the population is from The Villages, the infection rate is 39. Suddenly, adult children were calling their parents to find out what was going on. Residents of The Villages are, of course, sexually active, said Dr. Marivic Villa, an internist who runs a health clinic in the retirement community. In reality, I dont see much STDs, said Villa, who has worked in The Villages almost two decades. If you are sexually active you can decrease your risk by being in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is STD-free using condoms consistently and correctly and getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B. Some of those rumors.. Directors If you test positive for an STD healthcare. Getting it on 525.5 while Leon Countys is 1147 and Sumters 157 both jail. Is at the bottom for cases per 100,000 sexual behavior cadence at is... Luongo Gaetano Luongo also told the exploits of a 63-year-old bachelor known HIV., by all accounts, it is at the bottom for cases per.... Cdc estimates that this accounts for only 86.5 % of seniors are white, according a. Healthcare provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan meaning behind the decorative ornaments not... 2020: golf carts parked downtown at Market Square in Sumter County, where 80 % of all infections on. 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