Our Vision - Healthy People

April 2, 2108  

Media Contacts:
Heather Alberda, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator
(616) 393-5774, cell (616) 610-2236 or halberda@miottawa.org

Kristina Wieghmink, Communications Specialist
(616) 494-5597 or kwieghmink@miottawa.org

Walk-in STD testing in April 

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health will have its sexual health clinic open for walk-ins every Tuesday in April from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. for STD testing (only at the Holland location). 

Chlamydia is the STD most commonly reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC)—about 1.6 million cases in 2016—and Ottawa County is not immune. Most people who have chlamydia (or gonorrhea) don't know it since the diseases may not have any symptoms. Although it is easy to cure, chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant if left untreated. Without diagnosis and treatment, STDs can cause other serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Given the potential health problems, the CDC recommends annual testing for sexually active people younger than 25. 

"STDs don’t always have any symptoms. It’s possible to have an infection and not know it.  If you are having sex, it is important to get tested," said Heather Alberda, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

Miss the walk-in hours? No problem, call to make an appointment at one of our locations: Holland (616) 396-5266 Grand Haven (616) 846-8360 Hudsonville (616 )669-0040

 For more information about STD testing, birth control options and sexual health services, please call (616) 396-5266 or visit www.miOttawa.org/sexualhealth. 

 Learn more about STD types, prevention and treatment here.

Messaging and graphics provided by the Yes Means Test campaign from the American Sexual Health Association. 

Sexual health survey for 18-24-year-olds

Young adults between the ages of 18-24 who live in Ottawa or Allegan County are being asked to complete a survey from the Ottawa/Allegan County Departments of Public Health about attitudes and behaviors surrounding sexual health. Please forward this survey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OC_AC_Sexual_Health to people 18-24 years of age.  The survey will ask about condom use, birth control use, and perceptions around sexual health topics. The survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

This survey will be used to improve sexual health programs and messages to people in the 18-24-year-old age group. All information collected during this survey will be kept confidential and identifying information will not be saved. Taking part in this survey is voluntary. Completed survey participants will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card (five of these gift cards will be awarded)! Contact information will not be linked to survey answers.

Questions regarding the survey or for more information, please contact Heather Alberda at (616) 393-5774 or email halberda@miottawa.org.

Our team at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health exemplifies equity, integrity and excellence. Our vision is for healthy people. We work with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health. We are dedicated to preventing diseases and providing evidence-based public health programs and services. Public health has a vital role in all of our lives. It empowers communities with the necessary resources, knowledge and opportunities to make lasting change.

To learn more, visit www.miOttawa.org/miHealth or check out what we’ve been doing at www.miOttawa.org/AnnualHealthReports.

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