CDC report: STD epidemic getting worse in America

The most common STD in 2014 was chlamydia, which increased by nearly three percent with a total number of reported cases at 1.4 million (456 cases per 100,000).

“America’s worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention”, Dr. Jonathan Mermin, who is the director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, said in a statement reported by the NY Daily News. Despite being smaller than many cities in the country, Montgomery has earned this status by ranking highest in the number of reported cases.

Mitchell also notes the typical demographic of the syphilis patient is a man age 40 or older, which is unique to syphilis.

A report on time.com says the CDC release reported that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased for the first time since 2006. “A few of the increases are quite alarming”.

Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in the US, with young people and women being the highest risk categories.

Here’s how the prevalence of those diseases in 2014 in L.A. County and California compare with the rest of the country.

“STDs are a substantial health challenge facing the United States”, a CDC report summary says. “Each of these infections is a potential threat to an individual’s immediate and long-term health and well-being”.

Bolan warns, too, that there is more at stake than just infection: “Women can lose their reproductive health for a lifetime from infection of chlamydia or gonorrhea”. “Undiagnosed STDs cause more than 20,000 women to become infertile each year”, the report said.

The agency also advised sexually active gay or bisexual men to be screened each year, and those at high risk to be screened more often. Syphilis can also lead to blindness and other complications if left untreated.

The rate for gonorrhea increased by five percent in 2014 to 350,062 and the rate of syphilis increased by 15 percent to 20,000.

The report did not uncover why these cases increased so much in 2014. Federal officials said Tuesday that common sexually diseases are on the rise because of reduced funding for public health clinics.