How common are STDs in the USA?
Research shows that STDs continue to spread around the world at an alarming rate. But how common are STDs in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual cases of sexually transmitted infections in the United States continued to rise during 2000, reaching a record high for the sixth year in a row. Infection rates vary by country of residence due to many factors, but the reality is that sexually transmitted diseases are everywhere, so it's important to practice safe sex and get tested regularly.
STD Facts and Figures
STD statistics in the US
The statistics have health experts warning that the U.S. should invest significantly more funding in prevention efforts, especially as the nation battles COVID-19 and monkeypox.
In 2018, there were 26 million new cases of STDs in the United States.
As of 2018, 1 in 5 people in the US has an STD (about 68 million infections).
There was a total of 2.5 million infections in 2021, up from a record 2.4 million in 2020.
- In 2021, syphilis rates shot up by 26%. We now have the highest rate of syphilis since the Truman administration.
- Rates of congenital syphilis — when babies become infected while in the womb — also saw an alarming increase of 24% in 2021.
- HIV cases rose by 16%, gonorrhea by 2.8%, and chlamydia by 3%.
- It is estimated that half of all gonorrhea infections are resistant to at least one antibiotic, making it difficult to treat.
The most common STDs.
- HPV
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Gonorrhea
- Genital Herpes
- Syphilis
- HIV
- HBV
The top five states have the highest STD rates in the US.
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Georgia
- New York
- Maryland
Top 8 Cities in America with the Highest STD Rates
- Jackson, MS
- Baltimore, MD
- San Francisco, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Washington DC.
- Augusta, GA
- New York, NY
- Montgomery, AL
Possible reasons for the increase in STD rates
It's important to remember that there are many factors that affect how common STDs are in any region of the United States. Even throughout the pandemic, STD rates continue to rise, but there seem to be simple explanations for why. For those who continued to see the doctor, virtual visits meant more diagnoses were missed. Labs and testing supplies were in short supply as the focus shifted to COVID-19. While these issues may not be as common anymore, one of the biggest issues that cause STD rates to still rise is a lack of education and access to essential sexual health clinics and resources. Find STD tests near me now on Google and take care of your health by getting tested
Get tested today.
For sexually active people, the best way to help prevent the spread of STDs is to get tested regularly and practice safe sex. At UrgentWay, our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to the education and resources they need to take control of their sexual health. We offer a variety of tests, whether you need to test for a specific STD or do a full panel. Each test is simple and confidential and you get the results within 24-72 hours.
