In Marin as in California, STDs are on the rise and funding cuts may to blame

Sexually transmitted diseases are at an all-time high in California, and Marin is no different. According to the state’s health department, last year saw a record of diagnoses—likely due to the slashing of prevention and treatment funding as far back as the financial crisis of 2008. More than 300,000 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and early syphilis were reported statewide last year—a 45 percent jump from 2013. If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to…