Local clinic aims to break down barriers to sexual health

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are on the rise across the South.

In Georgia, Richmond County is among the five counties with the highest number of reported cases, according to the CDC.

Now a clinic wants to clear up the misconceptions about sexual health.

The STI numbers in the CSRA are alarming.

According to a CDC study this year, Augusta is among the 25 cities in the United States with the highest STI rates.

In 2021, South Carolina was among the 15 states with the most reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

According to health experts, many factors contribute to the high numbers – conflicts with insurance, ignorance about the need for testing and, most importantly, the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted diseases.

Grayson Ross is the sexual health program manager at Rural Health Services. He hopes this clinic will help break down that barrier and encourage people to get tested regularly.

The clinic says that people without insurance only have to pay a certain contribution depending on their income.

And they plan to offer free tests again on special occasions and when going out into public.

“We've already had a really great response from the community. People are taking advantage of the opportunity to get tested cheaply,” Ross said.

Where else can people turn if they need to get tested?

The health departments in South Carolina and Georgia are both good resources, and Rural Health Services has additional locations in Aiken and Beech Island.

They offer affordable medications and say they will be there for you every step of the way.

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