STD Prevention Program

STD Prevention Program 

The goal of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention Program is to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases by providing prevention education, screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment. The STD program is comprised of two units: The Surveillance Unit and the Field Operation Units.

The Surveillance Unit is responsible for verifying the diagnosis and treatment of all reportable STDs from public and private physicians, health care providers, hospitals, and laboratories as required by law. The Surveillance Unit follows the CDC recommended STD treatment guidelines.

The Field Operation Unit is comprised of Disease Intervention Specialists who identify, locate, and interview clients who have been exposed to an STD, or are at risk of being exposed, and refer them for testing and treatment as needed. Field activities include: STD education at the health department, schools, and other locations throughout the community. They also organize community outreach screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV for at-risk individuals.