Reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases drastically increased in 2015, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 1.5 million cases of chlamydia, 400,000 cases of gonorrhea and 24,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis were recorded by the agency.
Which Majority is Severely Affected?
Syphilis grew to 19%, gonorrhea 12.9% and Chlamydia by 5.9%.
Americans age 15-24 years old accounted for most chlamydia and gonorrhea cases while men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for the majority of new gonorrhea and primary and secondary Syphilis cases.
CDC also reported the troubling increase in Syphilis among newborns after its rate hiked by 6 percent with 27 percent accounting to women.
"We're very concerned about the unprecedented high number of cases of STIs in the United States," Gail Bolan, the director of the CDC's Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, told The Verge. "These new numbers are making it really clear that many Americans are not getting the preventive services they need."
Less Access to STD Centers Account to Higher STD Rates
The agency said that the budget cuts for local STI programs left fewer people with access to testing and treatment. Sexually transmitted infections cost the U.S. healthcare system nearly $16 billion each year which prompted the foreclosure of 20 STD Centers.
"Those are among the primary places where we actually diagnose and treat S.T.D.s as well as H.I.V.," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the agency's National Center for H.I.V./AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, S.T.D. and TB Prevention.
Public health officials score out that this might probably be one of the reasons why STD rates continue to soar high.
Locals Urged To Participate in Fight Against STD Epidemic
To lessen the ever-increasing risk of sexually transmitted disease, health care providers, state, and local health departments including the majority of the public are urged to contribute and play a role in spreading STD awareness.
"We should all learn to talk more openly about STDs - with our partners, parents, and providers," Bolan said. "People who are sexually active should talk to their medical providers about getting tested and reducing their risk by using condoms or practicing mutual monogamy. It is critical that providers ask about their patients' sexual history and ensure STD screening is a standard part of medical care."
