Indian Health Service budget cuts contribute to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases among American Indians in South Dakota, the executive director of the Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center said.

Charon Asetoyer said education is the best way to prevent the spread of STDs. But limited resources hinders Indian Country, she said.

"You cannot take health care away from communities and expect a community to maintain their health without information and resources," Asetoyer told The The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The South Dakota Health Department said chlamydia and gonorrhea rates are rising in part due to a large number of cases on reservations.

Get the Story:
Sexually spread diseases up in S.D. (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 1/12)