Planned Parenthood Los Angeles opened a new facility on Sept. 22 for the new Long Beach Health Center.
The facility is the 18th in the Los Angeles area — the first opened part-time in February.
The new location in Long Beach is essential for any students affected by STDs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, 15 to 24-year-olds represent 25 percent of the sexually experienced population in the United States, but they also acquire nearly half of all new STDs.
“We provide services for many students who don’t have health insurance,” said Sam Wald, public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.
Planned Parenthood specializes in preventative care. The center offers STD screenings, birth control, pap smears, and breast and cervical cancer screenings, among other services, for both male and females. As part of the preventative care focus, Planned Parenthood also has outreach programs directed at students.
While the demand for low cost health services is always in high, Planned Parenthood is always looking to serve different areas in Los Angeles, Wald said.
Some students like the idea of having other options for health services they might need.
“I think it’s great … some students may feel more comfortable going to a health facility off campus if they need an STD screening,” junior business major Miranda Rodriguez said.
Since its opening, the nonprofit center has seen more than 2,000 patients.
Planned Parenthood provides services through donations and reimbursements from family packs, making the services available for many who could not afford the services.
“We offer low or no cost services and do not make any money from the services we provide,” Wald said. “And we have many students who volunteer and intern at Planned Parenthood. My intern right now is a Cal State Long Beach student.”
The center gives students another option for health services; also it can give students an opportunity for employment and internships in the medical field.
The health center, located at 2690 Pacific Avenue suite 370, is open three days a week and offers many services at low or no cost.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.