He became confused and expressed outrage over their decision to live in a gated community of close to 100,000 people with no children. The high STD rate in the villages is a cause for concern. Another commenter questioned if this was the new upside-down pineapple, playing off the notion that the fruit is a sign for others that youre into swinging. STDs. Residents hear the joke all too often. The year was 2006 and a Villages gynecologist was about to make a serious dent in the image of Floridas Friendliest Hometown one that wasnt going to be welcomed with open arms. Highest rates. Its an easy headline. Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below. Leon County, FL . And he accompanies Mr. STDs are common and getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have an infection. But rumors travel fast in communities with shared values and histories. The Villages - The Villages, FL. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); STDs. The myth snowballed from there. Blechman also told the exploits of a 63-year-old bachelor known as Mr. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The Villages, a mammoth retirement community that was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation two years ago, is no stranger to folklore. In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Fenney resident says immediate attention is needed at Palmetto Executive Golf Course. 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. As a result, the place that likes to bill itself as Americas Friendliest Hometown has seen a huge increase in sexually transmitted diseases, according to a 2013 Slate article referencing the tabloids coverage. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia among older adults outpaced the nation's average, according to the analysis. Welcome to The Villages. What happens if I dont get treated for an STD? 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. Pensacola ranks No. 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. Highest rates. Its an easy headline. So the loofa is an easy way for them to spot it from a distance, user gatordent said. And it pointed out that with 80,000 residents in the community at the time, it should come as no surprise that a certain percentage would be interested in things like alcohol and sex. 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. The Villages has more of those goods, services and other amenities per capita than most places in Florida. Your email address will not be published. CVS MinuteClinic Address: 5208 East County Road 466 The Villages, FL 32162 Number: (866) 389-2727. This is a sprawling set of retirement neighborhoods with access to over 3,000 activities and clubs, plus an astounding 50+ golf courses. 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. The city had 1,502 STD cases reported per 100,000. Williamstown , New Jersey: Guy Luongo Gaetano Luongo. There were 507 cases of HIV reported. Since the 2000s, lawmakers have reallocated money for sexual health, a move that experts often credit with contributing to a nationwide spike. Where did this pervasive legend start? This means that relative to other counties in Florida, the rate per 100,000 of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is less in about three quarters of the counties. Since the 2000s, lawmakers have reallocated money for sexual health, a move that experts often credit with contributing to a nationwide spike. Some residents wondered why Mark Morse, the developer who owns The Villages, hadnt spoken out to correct the record. All Rights Reserved. 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 over the years, statistics havent proven the STD rumor to be true. But rumors travel fast in communities with shared values and histories. I think my partner has an STD. If you are planning to visit the villages you should be aware of the risks. Florida is one of the top five states in the country when it comes to the prevalence of sexually transmitted illnesses among older persons. Today 13 years after the gynecologist made the statement about STDs that unveiled a sexual revolution of sorts in The Villages and made worldwide headlines new Villagers still hear the rumors about promiscuity among their neighbors. Some people love gossip about old people and sex.. The Villages, a mammoth retirement community that was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation two years ago, is no stranger to folklore. The Womens Center of The Villages is no longer open. Covering an area larger than Manhattan, The Villages spans three Florida counties Sumter, Marion and Lake. And sordid tales of prostitutes frequenting Katie Belles at night quickly spread across the community, with some residents saying they fully believed that one to be true. Do you have any other pet urban legends that should be dispelled? Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Blechman, the author of Leisureville, suspected ageism plays a role. The Villages in Florida is the world's largest retirement community and has been dubbed 'the Disney World for old people', but the antics of the residents who should know better would make Mickey . Any publicity is good publicity.. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. Sumter County had one of the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases among older adults in 2019 with about one in 10,000. Among all age groups nationwide, reported cases of syphilis increased 60 . Florida is going to try. @media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) { Add Your Community | } I bought it because I want to play golf.. .kxikc63ffb4b933c33 { An Edward R. Murrow Award-winning series explores the high costs of the pandemic for children and young adults. Rumors abound about how the STD rumor started. Its safe, and everyones happy. 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. All the retirees drive similar cars and old gran cant go around the whole parking lot looking for her car. 2023 FOX Television Stations, 4 people found dead, including child, in Brevard County home, sheriff says, These 3 Florida roads are among the deadliest in the U.S., report shows, Surgeon runs down Philadelphia street to retrieve organ from transport vehicle stuck in traffic, SpaceX Crew-6 launch: 'All systems are looking good' for liftoff from Florida, Sheriff: Florida man shoots own dog in head, blames it on 'intruder', Video shows moment deputies say Florida teacher's aide is knocked unconscious by student upset she took Switch, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Mount Dora murders: State intends to seek death penalty against Vickie Williams, Lakefront chaos: Man on jet ski arrested for allegedly slapping 68-year-old woman, Matanzas High student to be charged as adult in attack against teacher's aid: court docs. Havana Championship Golf Course in terrible shape. Compared to other practitioners, I should. 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. display: block; Any publicity is good publicity.. ", Copyright 2021 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another reason for the high STD rate in the villages is that there is a lot of unprotected sex taking place. THE VILLAGES, Fla. Friends up north and across Tampa Bay snickered when Brian Lafferty revealed where hed bought a new home. 1 city on the list was Baltimore, Maryland followed by Jackson, Mississippi and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Why upset that a Tesla was named in a crash report? If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Statistics from the Florida Department of Health show which of the state's 67 counties have had the most and least number of new cases of sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea, chlamydia, and infectious syphilis over the three-year-period between 2009 and 2011. In 2008, author Andrew D. Blechman released a book called Leisureville that told sordid tales of nightlife in The Villages. 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. In The Villages, 86% of seniors are white, according to U.S. Census data. There was talk of a black market for Viagra. 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. A primary care physician in the community with ties to The Villages brass did his part to kill the urban myth about rampant STDs in the mega retirement community. It had legs, said Andrew Blechman, author of Leisureville: Adventures in a World Without Children, a 2009 book on life in The Villages that is referenced in almost all coverage of this issue. But is the worlds largest retirement community about 80 miles northeast of Tampa really a hotbed for these diseases? Highest rates.' It's an easy headline. Orlando came in at No. Answer: The cost of STD testing varies depending on the type of tests you need and where you get them. Florida reportable STD information and data may be found on the Florida Charts interactive website. That contrasts with Leon County, home to the capitol and Florida State U., where the rate is 370. What should I do? The No. Half of all infections are among people 15 to 24. "My doctor in Ohio even, when he asked where we spend time in Florida, stated . Despite a 14-year-old urban legend that won't go away, The Villages didn't make the list of the worst cities for sexually transmitted diseases.. That distinction belongs to Baltimore, Maryland - the 26th largest city in the United States with a population of about 602,495 - which had the highest per capita rate with 2,004 cases reported per 100,000 residents, according to statistics . Blog 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.