Chlamydia is the most commonly reported nationally notifiable disease with over 1.7 million infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017. Women in these age groups have the highest rates of disease both in Connecticut and nationally. This measure is part of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) that was established to allow the comparison of the performance of different health plans in a variety of areas. Chlamydia testing of this age group is one of the grade "A" services recommended by the US Preventive Health Services Task Force. Detecting chlamydia infection, especially if asymptomatic, is key to preventing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility. This data is up-to-date as of February 2019.

Note. YR 2017 data updated February 2019; YR 2018 data will be updated on: July, 2019

Connecticut STD Control Program; Healthcare providers that serve adolescents and young adults (e.g. school based health centers, pediatricians, family practitioners, STD clinics, community health centers, Planned Parenthood)

• Managed care screening programs; sexually active women <25 years old should have an annual chlamydia test. Persons with new or multiple partners should have annual chlamydia and gonorrhea tests.
• Healthcare provider education about sexual history taking, reimbursement for STD services and testing available at the Department of Public Health laboratory.
• Patient education about risk of STDs, signs and symptoms (including none), ease of testing, and locations where free or low cost testing can be obtained (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

*STD Control Program staff works with settings that serve these age groups to offer education and low cost or free testing (e.g. high schools, colleges/universities).

*STD Control Program staff works with Planned Parenthood and the Department of Social Services to increase awareness of the importance of chlamydia screening among their providers.