Almost 2.5 million Americans were diagnosed with an STD in 2018. Around half of them are between the ages of 15 to 24.
These statistics, and several other equally startling ones, were recently published in a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It details US trends with regards to common STDs with the hope of informing the public and developing initiatives for accessible prevention and control. The results of the study have been alarming, with this year being the fifth consecutive year of STD rates rising, and without urgent action, there doesn't seem to be any sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Comparing 2017's figures to 2018, the number of chlamydia cases increased by 2.9%, gonorrhea cases increased by 5.0%, while syphilis cases increased by 13.3% (with congenital syphilis reaching a whopping 39.7% increase and primary & secondary syphilis increasing by 14.4%).
Chlamydia rates were highest in Alaska; gonorrhea rates were topped by Mississippi; primary and secondary syphilis in Nevada; and congenital syphilis in Texas. You can see where your state ranks here.
Mentioned in the CDC's press release are several factors that contribute to the growing epidemic. The decreased usage of condoms in adolescent groups as well as men who have sex with men are alarming, while cuts to STD prevention and treatment programs on both the state and local levels have also been a key factor driving this increase. Several cultural and economic factors, like the fear of becoming stigmatized in the community and poverty, have also prevented those with STDs from receiving the treatment they need.
The CDC identifies four key groups of people that are at higher risk of STDs: woman and infants, adolescents and young adults, racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as men who have sex with men. The CDC stresses that efforts must be undertaken to focus on providing accessible support to these vulnerable groups, who are in the situation oftentimes due to systemic and cultural barriers which prevent the proper treatment from reaching these groups.
To illustrate, infants are especially vulnerable to congenital syphilis contracted from the mother while pregnant. With the lack of proper prenatal care and education, many of these cases go untreated and undiagnosed. For many infants, this can be harmful or even fatal. 2018 saw a higher number of infant deaths attributed to congenital syphilis, from 77 to 94 (a 22% increase from 2017).
The CDC calls on urgent action from key players in the healthcare industry to help reverse these recent trends. With the organization focusing on training and making resources available to the front lines, health departments are appealed to provide the proper service infrastructure for STD treatment, especially to vulnerable groups, while health service providers are also asked to improve STD screening services to become timelier. The public is also urged to practice safe sex and to make STD screenings a routine.
The full CDC report and other various resources can be accessed here.
