Heads and tales: Love is a social disease

Better cram for that urine test: You don’t have chlamydia, right? Think again. Our pal Holly Lang reported that chlamydia rates in Alabama dropped in 2004 — because the tests were inaccurate. New, more accurate tests show that the rate is already climbing, along with rates for gonorrhea and syphilis. “Edward Hook, a UAB professor and director of the STD Control Program for the Jefferson County Department of Health, said the current campaign for more accurate testing and better awareness will eventually pay off, much like it did for national gonorrhea control efforts started in the 1960s.” Yep, we’re just itching for a solution.
• Unreliable Alabama testing led to low chlamydia rates in 2004 [Associated Press]

Who cares about child care?: Holly has another good story about the child care conundrum. More state regulations on licensed child care facilities are driving up prices — and driving away low-income parents. Meanwhile, unlicensed facilities (like the one we run in the basement) are exempt from the regs. “DHR announced Thursday that 2,000 additional children currently on a subsidy waiting list will now receive vouchers for child care. There are approximately 12,500 still on the list.” When your colleague, boss or underling is scrambling to find a sitter, you’ll know why.
• Group says Alabama rules put child care cost out of reach of many [Associated Press]

Hot flash: Birmingham is No. 3 among mid-size cities in Entrepreneur.com’s Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs list. Alabama is No. 5 among states, and Auburn-Opelika is No. 1. among small cities. One expert says in order for the state to remain on top, citizens must demand better public education to turn out a smarter workforce.
• Secret’s out: State is great for new biz [Birmingham Business Journal]

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