CDC Report Shows Increase in STDs

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CDC Report Shows Increase in STDs

Special Report - November 14, 2007
The United States saw an increase last year in infection rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, according to a newly released report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, entitled “Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2006,” found that rates of genital chlamydia reached a record high of well over one million cases in 2006, an increase of 5.6 percent from 2005. While cautioning that the jump might indicate a true increase in the number of cases, the report stated that it “most likely represents a continued increase in screening for this infection, more sensitive tests, and more complete national reporting.” Overall, North Carolina ranked 15th out of the 50 states in chlamydia infections, with 387.1 cases per 100,000 population. New Hampshire had the least number of infections and Alaska the most. Similarly, the report found an increase of 5.5 percent in cases of gonorrhea between 2005 and 2006, with North Carolina ranking 6th in the number of infections. Rates of primary and secondary syphilis have risen by 13.8 percent since 2005 and 57 percent since 2001, the study found. North Carolina ranked 12th in the prevalence of primary and secondary syphilis (3.6 cases per 100,000 population).

The CDC report also tracked demographic patterns in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). According to recent estimates, nearly half of all STDs are contracted by 15 to 24-year-olds, even though this population segment accounts for only 25 percent of those who have ever been sexually active. Racial imbalances continue to exist in the number of STD infections as well—African Americans were over eight times more likely than whites to contract chlamydia, 18 times more likely to contract gonorrhea, and six times more likely to contract primary and secondary syphilis. All racial groups saw an increase in the number of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections except Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Significantly, the report concluded that an increasing number of homosexual men are acquiring STDs and engaging in behavior that increases the risk of contracting STDs. For example, men who have sex with men accounted for 64 percent of all primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States in 2006.

“The increases in STDs reinforce the importance of the message that needs to be clearly and effectively taught to our young people and adults—that abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the safest and healthiest choice to make,” said Jere Royall, counsel and director of community impact for the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Condoms may offer as little as 50 percent protection against many STDs, and they offer no protection from the psychological harms that are experienced in sexual activity outside of marriage. Our state needs to offer good curricula with trained educators to carry out our law that calls for our children to be taught in a very thorough way why and how to make the wise and healthy choice to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage.”