CDC reports slight decrease in sexually transmitted diseases

For the first time in years, U.S. public health officials have reported good news on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

According to monitoring data The number of sexually transmitted infections will decline by 1.8% from 2022 to 2023, flattening the dramatic increase in sexually transmitted infection rates since 2011, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today. It shows the possibility that it is becoming possible. CDC officials welcomed the news.

“There is a glimmer of hope in the midst of millions of sexually transmitted infections,” said Jonathan Marmin, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Tuberculosis Prevention. press release. “After nearly 20 years of continued STI price increases, the tide is starting to turn.”

STI incidence remains high

Overall, the number of reported sexually transmitted infections remains high. In 2023, more than 2.4 million cases of gonorrhea (601,319), syphilis (209,253), and chlamydia (1,648,568) were reported. This includes 3,882 people with congenital syphilis, which is transmitted from mothers to newborns.

But sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for years, so even a small decrease would be a step in the right direction. From 2011 to 2021, STI cases reported in the United States increased by 42%. And after a decline in 2021 related to the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures, the number of sexually transmitted disease infections has continued to rise in recent years.

A glimmer of hope amidst millions of sexually transmitted diseases.

This decline was primarily driven by a decline in the number of gonorrhea cases, which decreased by 7.2% from 2022 to 2023. Gonorrhea incidence decreased in both men and women, but was most pronounced in women (14.1% decrease). Chlamydia infection rates remained stable, increasing by less than 1%.

The 209,253 syphilis cases reported in 2023 are the highest number of cases reported since 1950, but the 1% increase represents progress after several years of double-digit increases. In particular, the number of cases of primary and secondary syphilis, the most contagious stage of the disease, fell by 10%, the largest decline in more than 20 years, the CDC said.

The number of reported congenital syphilis cases is the highest since 1992. Additionally, 279 stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths due to congenital syphilis were reported. However, the increase in congenital syphilis (3%) has decreased significantly compared to previous years.

The CDC report also shows that wide disparities in STI rates remain. Almost half (48.2%) of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases reported in 2023 were among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24, and nearly one-third (32.4%) were black. Gay and bisexual men also continue to be disproportionately affected.

Doxy PEP, a new at-home test can help

The CDC attributes the small decrease in STIs to a number of factors. These include the introduction of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP), which involves taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

This strategy was found in clinical trials to dramatically reduce the incidence of chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Recommended by CDC High-risk groups such as men who have sex with men and transgender women with a recent history of sexually transmitted diseases are targeted. Although there are some concerns about antibiotic resistance, the CDC should continue to expand coverage of doxy-PEP for these groups and conduct further research on whether other groups may benefit. It states that there is.

Other factors include newly authorized at-home tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis, and a coordinated national response to the syphilis epidemic.

CDC believes that to continue to reduce incidence, STI epidemics must be prioritized at the federal, state, and local levels, and increased investment in robust public health systems and a trained workforce capable of providing STI services is needed. It states that there is. The agency also calls for making STI services more accessible in communities and developing new prevention, testing and treatment options.

We call on the new Trump administration and Congress to invest in STD prevention programs.

but, statementpresident of the National Association of Sexually Transmitted Disease Officers, warned that progress will not continue if federal funding for sexually transmitted disease prevention is cut.

“While we applaud the progress made toward reducing sexually transmitted infections in the United States and are cautiously optimistic, the reductions as part of the debt ceiling law enacted around the same time as the sexually transmitted disease numbers “We are concerned that this progress will not continue until funding is restored for sexually transmitted disease prevention,” said NCSD Director David Harvey. “We call on the new Trump administration and Congress to invest in STD prevention programs in states, cities, and territories that have a proven track record of success.”