Statistics for Chelan-Douglas Counties

STD Prevalence
Reported cases of Chlamydia (CT) in 2004 increased by 23%, and Gonorrhea by 33% in Douglas County compared to 2003. In 2004, initial infection herpes in Chelan County had a 42% increase compared to 2003. The incidence of HPV is also on the rise. The number of FPCD patients needing colposcopies has increased dramatically in the last 3 years, particularly among adolescents. Over one-third of the women needing colposcopies and/or cryocautery in 2004 were between the ages of 16 and 22.

Teen Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy has long been a problem in Chelan and Douglas Counties. In 1992 Chelan County ranked 3rd in Washington State with 95.8 pregnancies per 1000 women between ages 15 to 17. In 1998 the FDA approved the use of birth control pills for Emergency Contraception (Plan B). The pregnancy rates steadily dropped placing Chelan County at 26th place in 1999 with 33 pregnancies per 1000 women between ages 15 to 17. Douglas County was 30th with 29.9 pregnancies per 1000 girls.

Unfortunately, 5 of the 11 school districts we serve have since adopted an abstinence-only curriculum. Teen pregnancy rates in Chelan County have consistently ranked higher (per 1,000 women) than the State average. Nearly half of all pregnancies in Chelan and Douglas Counties are unintended. An unintended pregnancy is one of the most cited reasons adolescent girls give for dropping out of school.

For more information:

  • What's Up?:Information for Adults Who Care About Teens.
  • Washington State Dept. of Health
  • Centers for Disease Control