Health officials team with churches to fight STDs in South L.A.

Motivated by rising rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia among young black women in South Los Angeles, county leaders and public health officials launched a new education and testing campaign Monday with some unlikely partner: churches.

Pastors and "first ladies" from churches throughout the region said they planned to raise awareness about the diseases among their congregations and to spread the word about a home-testing program.

“Nobody wants to talk about it,” said Debra Williams, wife of the pastor at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church. “We need to change that.”

The campaign, led by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Department of Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding, will increase access to free test kits and information about both diseases through kiosks and a mobile health van. Health officials will also be working with clinics to increase follow-up with patients and with schools to increase prevention education.