Adult Medicine, HIV/STD Screening & Treatment, Public Health, Uncategorized

Legacy Responds to Houston’s Rise in HIV and STIs

11
Jun

As Houston sees a troubling surge in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Legacy Community Health is doubling down on its decades-long mission: compassionate, judgment-free care and prevention services for all.

STI Outbreak in Houston

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are on the rise nationwide, but the surge in Houston is particularly alarming. According to the CDC and local health authorities, Houston currently has some of the fastest-growing STI rates in Texas, with vulnerable populations being hit the hardest. (KHOU)

Key statistics from recent health data include:

  • Chlamydia is the second most reported STI, especially prevalent among young people ages 15–24. It’s also the only STI where women are diagnosed at higher rates than men.
  • Gonorrhea cases in Texas have increased by 32% over the past four years, with the infection gaining antibiotic resistance. It’s especially widespread in areas like the Medical Center, Downtown, and Sunnyside.
  • Syphilis has surged by 79%, with Houston currently experiencing an active outbreak. The rise in congenital syphilis, passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, is particularly troubling.
  • HIV infection rates are growing faster in Houston than in any other region in Texas, especially in Montrose, Second Ward, and Settegast.

Two groups facing a disproportionate burden across multiple STIs include Black heterosexual women and young adults aged 15 to 24.

The message is clear: routine STI testing and education are crucial. Early detection helps prevent complications, stop the spread, and connect people to the care they need.

Identifying STI Symptoms: Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

Many STIs don’t show obvious symptoms, which makes it easy for someone to unknowingly pass them on. That said, some do come with noticeable signs that shouldn’t be ignored.

If there’s unusual discharge, pain or burning during urination or intercourse, sores or blisters around the genitals, anus, or mouth, or swollen lymph nodes in the groin, it’s important to get tested right away. Unexplained lumps or growths in the genital area should also be checked out.

Even mild symptoms or ones that seem to go away on their own should be taken seriously. Early detection and treatment can prevent further complications and help protect others.

HIV in Focus: A Community Crisis, A Community Response

While all STIs deserve attention, the rise in HIV has been particularly steep – and personal – for many Houstonians. Roughly 28,000 people in the Greater Houston area are currently living with HIV. Legacy Community Health provides care for nearly 7,000 of them.

Legacy’s impact on HIV care goes back over four decades. Founded in 1982 as the Montrose Clinic during the height of the AIDS crisis, Legacy was one of the first to offer HIV testing, treatment, and compassionate care, long before it was widely accepted or understood.

Today, that same spirit drives Legacy’s modern HIV services:

  • Rapid Start gets newly diagnosed patients on medication immediately, improving long-term outcomes and reducing the risk of transmission.
  • ID Care Now gives patients access to infectious disease specialists without delay.
  • PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and DoxyPEP help people prevent infection before or after potential exposure.
  • Legacy also provides comprehensive care for pregnant women living with HIV, reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission to under 1%.

“This is a big issue – we’re seeing rising rates across the city, especially in underserved neighborhoods,” says Jill Jahns, Director of Health Navigation at Legacy. “To make testing more accessible, we partner with local businesses and offer weekend hours at our Montrose and Gulfton Dashwood clinics.”

In the summer of 2025, it is expected that the FDA will approve a form of injectable PrEP that only needs to be administered every six months. This will be a game changer for long-term prevention efforts.

“Legacy has always been cutting edge when it comes to HIV care and prevention efforts,” Jahns adds. “We were early adopters of oral PrEP in 2012 and among the first in Houston to offer injectable PrEP and HIV treatment in 2022. We’ve made it a priority to ensure prevention tools are accessible and affordable.”

Ending Stigma, Saving Lives: Why Awareness Still Matters

HIV isn’t the life-threatening diagnosis it once was, but only if it’s caught early and treated consistently. With the right care, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives. In fact, treatment can lower the virus to undetectable levels, making it impossible to transmit to others.

Still, stigma is a big hurdle. Many people fear being judged or misunderstood, which keeps them from getting tested or starting treatment. Legacy Community Health has long offered compassionate, confidential, and judgment-free care, including off-site HIV testing long before it became the norm.

“People may not realize they know someone with HIV—but chances are, they do,” says Dr. Natalie Vanek, Clinic Medical Director at Legacy Montrose. “That’s why regular testing and open conversations matter—especially for women, who may not always know their partner’s status.”

Legacy’s Health Navigation team, led by Jill Jahns and supported by outreach specialists like Miguel Jacquez, works to spread the word about HIV awareness. Through education and culturally responsive support, they help more people understand their risks, know their status, and get the care they need.

“Because of the stigma associated with HIV and other STIs, it is often not talked about,” Jahns explains. “For this reason, people may not know they are at risk for an STI; in fact, because Houston is an area with high STI prevalence, the CDC recommends people get tested regardless of their number of sexual partners, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We are working to cast a wide information net to ensure people are aware of their possible risk and the resources available for testing. We also work with people to ensure they are comfortable and their testing session is confidential.”

STIs and HIV are still here. So is Legacy.

Walk-in testing for HIV and other STIs is available at multiple Legacy locations across Houston and Beaumont. For those unable to visit a clinic, Legacy also offers At-Home HIV Test Kits by request.

Testing available at:

  • Montrose
  • Gulfton Dashwood
  • Wellness Bar
  • Northline
  • AmistadesHTX
  • Southwest
  • Beaumont

Many locations offer evening and Saturday hours to accommodate all schedules.

For nearly 40 years, Legacy Community Health has been dedicated to providing care and support for HIV and STD prevention, treatment, and testing—always with a focus on respect and without judgment.

“Legacy has a team of people who will be there with you regardless of the result of your test,” Jahns. “You will not be alone, and someone will be with you to make sure you get what you need to live your healthiest life moving forward. Our team genuinely cares for you.”