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Advancing the public health workforce to achieve organizational excellence
STD Rates Climb to Record Highs

Related Categories: Learning Resource Center (LRC)

Topic: Performance Management and Quality Improvement, Workforce Development

Date: 8/29/2018

​For steep-std-increases web.jpgthe fourth consecutive year, sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have increased. According to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the National STD Prevention Conference on August 28, 2018, nearly 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were diagnosed in the United States in 2017 - surpassing the 2016 record high numbers by more than 200,000 cases1. To assist with curbing this public health challenge, the Public Health Foundation (PHF) offers STD resources, tools, and training.

 

Although curable with antibiotics, most cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis go undiagnosed. Left untreated, these infections can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and increased risk of HIV. Factors contributing to STD increases include stigma, discrimination, and drug use. “We are sliding backward,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., M.P.H, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “It is evident the systems that identify, treat, and ultimately prevent STDs are strained to near-breaking point.”

 

Preliminary 2017 data by the numbers:

  • Gonorrhea diagnoses increased 67 percent overall from 333,004 to 555,608 cases.
  • Primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses increased 76 percent from 17,375 to 30,644 cases, with gay, bisexual, and men who sleep with men accounting for nearly 70 percent of primary and secondary syphilis cases where the gender of the sex partner is known.
  • Chlamydia remained the most common STD reported to CDC with more than 1.7 million diagnosed cases in 2017.

In addition, new concerns connected to the rising rates of STDs are emerging. Gonorrhea has become resistant to nearly every class of antibiotics used to treat it in the United States with the exception of ceftriaxone. In 2015, CDC recommended providers treat gonorrhea with a shot of ceftriaxone and an oral dose of azithromycin. Now, increased resistance to azithromycin in laboratory tests, and reported cases of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea in Europe have amplified these concerns. Dr. Gail Bolan, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention stated, “We expect gonorrhea will eventually wear down our last highly effective antibiotic, and additional treatment options are urgently needed. We can’t let our defenses down — we must continue reinforcing efforts to rapidly detect and prevent resistance as long as possible.”

 

In the wake of increased STD rates and antibiotic resistant STD strains, public health and healthcare professionals must remain vigilant on all fronts. Prevention is still key. CDC encourages providers to prioritize STD screening and treatment efforts, while all parts of the system must join the battle to prevent antibiotic resistance.

 

Find more information about PHF's efforts to improve STD rates and increase Antibiotic Stewardship.


 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Press Release August 28, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2018/press-release-2018-std-prevention-conference.html

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STD Rates Climb to Record Highs