Sexual Health

Primary Listings

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections Editor's Pick

The American Sexual Health Association presents information on sensitive subjects: sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Easy-to-read information on Herpes, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – see gonorrhea or chlamydia; condom use. New information about monkeypox. ASHA is a respected non-profit organization.

Teen Birth Rate, 2021

National Center for Health Statistics data brief on births in 2021, shows births were the lowest since 1980. For all ages, births increased by 1% from 2020 to 2021. But they remained below the level seen in 2019, pre-pandemic. Births to teen mothers continued to decline in 2021 The birth rate for teens ages 15-19 fell 6% in 2021. Birth rates to women ages 20-24 fell 2% in 2021. For women ages 30+, the birth rates increased in 2021. Cesarean section births remained at about 32% of the total. All age groups, states, and ethnic categories reported in CDC’s National Vital Statistics NVSS  (Births: Provisional Data for 2021) report, 11 pages, published May 2022.

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California – 2021-2022 HMO, PPO, & Medical Group Ratings Report Card Editor's Pick

Find California HMO, PPO and Medical Group ratings report card for 2021-2022. Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan of Southern California received the highest ratings for Quality. Sharp Health Plan HMO received the highest ratings for member satisfaction. Two plans got the lowest ratings (Poor, one-star) for member patient experience: Health Net Life PPO and United Healthcare PPO. Compare 16 largest California HMO health insurance plans: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern CA regions, Sharp Health Plan, United Healthcare and Western Health Advantage. Compare 6 of the largest PPOs: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net Life Insurance Company, United Healthcare. Clear, simple star system (5 stars = excellent; 4 stars = very good; 3 stars = good, 2 stars = fair; 1 star = poor) used for overall rating. Actual performance scores are not given, but may be available through NCQA. Quality measures (based on HEDIS scores) for asthma, cancer screening, child health, chlamydia screening, diabetes, heart care, maternity care, behavioral and mental health, and other expected care. Member satisfaction stars also shown. Complaint rates are reported for health plans in a separate report. Nearly 200 Medical Group ratings also provided by county for the larger groups of doctors. For example, nearly 60 different Kaiser Permanente medical groups are included; Sutter, Scripps, Sharp and many more.  Prepared by the California state Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA).

Consumer Guide to Prevention – USPSTF Recommendations Editor's Pick

Recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for more than 100 Screening tests, Preventive Medication, and Counseling activities. Individual Consumer Guides for all different types of cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, speech and language disorders, hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, depression, diabetes, abdominal aortic aneurysm, sexually transmitted disease, osteoporosis, and much more. Counseling for alcohol misuse, diet and physical activity. In some cases, the site includes screening guidelines published by other experts, such as JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. Updated 2022.

Maryland HMO & Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2020-2022

Find the latest Maryland HMO and PPO Health Insurance Plan Ratings. The only plan to get a full 5-star rating was Kaiser Permanente HMO. Compare KP with Aetna HMO and PPO, CareFirst BlueChoice and GHMSI, Cigna, MAMSI PPO, MD-IPA, Optimum Choice and United Healthcare HMO and PPO. Member satisfaction (CAHPS), getting appointments, flu shots, and many clinical measures of care such as Diabetes, breast cancer screening, behavioral health, well child care are some of the measures. Quality scores are 80% of the overall performance rating. Check Consumer Ratings, Clinical Ratings and Provider Network Ratings that make up the total score. Most scores reflect what happened in 2021. They were published in October 2022. Maryland Health Plan guide is by the Maryland Health Care Commission.

Men’s Health Issues (MedlinePlus)

Men’s Health Issues at MedlinePlus include topics: screenings for men and actions to prevent illness, sexual health, erectile dysfunction, testosterone tests, belly fat, prostate cancer, colon cancer in men, mental health, screening tests

Prevention Priorities

Find the latest priorities for prevention. Rankings of preventive services and scoring each for cost effectiveness. The 3 highest-ranking services, each with a total score of 10, are immunizing children, counseling to prevent tobacco initiation among youth, and tobacco-use screening and brief intervention to encourage cessation among adults. Greatest population health improvement comes from using clinical preventive services to address tobacco use, obesity, alcohol misuse,  colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations. HealthPartners Institute, working with the National Commission on Prevention Priorities (NCPP), sponsors this information. Last updated in 2017; published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) Meetings by State/City

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) meetings by State and City. Find a meeting and support group for those who want to recover from compulsive sexual behavior. Uses the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Sex Addicts Anonymous. Meetings often held at hospitals, churches or community centers. Worldwide list