FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 24, 2009

Media Contact:

ASHA Media Relations
Attn: Fred Wyand
P.O. Box 13827
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CDC Releases 2008 Figures on Reportable Sexually Transmitted Diseases    

RTP, NC— The rates of reported cases of chlamydia and syphilis are increasing, and stark racial disparities in infection rates persist, according to CDC’s annual report on trends in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States.

Statistics on the number of cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are reported yearly by each state to CDC. The most recent report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2008, shows that rates of chlamydia increased 9.2% from 2007 to 2008, with 1.2 million cases being reported in 2008, a record number according to John Douglas, MD, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. After declining for years, rates of syphilis leveled off in the 1990s and jumped 18% between 2007 and 2008. Syphilis rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) surged the most dramatically of any group, and an increasing number of cases are also being reported in women.

Gonorrhea cases decreased by 5.4%, however, from 355,991 in 2007 to 336,742 in 2008.

The reported number of STD cases is likely much smaller than the actual number of cases. With chlamydia, for example, CDC estimates fewer than half of all cases are reported. Each of the reportable infections can cause serious medical problems if untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, which often have no symptoms in women, can cause damage to reproductive organs and lead to tubal pregnancies. Untreated syphilis can cause problems that include neurological damage.

The continued upswing in the number of reported chlamydia cases may have a number of explanations, and CDC says it isn’t clear if the rise in reported cases of STIs truly reflects a trend of increased infections, or if it’s due at least in part to the use of more sensitive tests and a greater number of people being screened.  Another potential factor is that STI prevention programs are being asked to do more without a corresponding increase in resources.

What are clear are the stark racial and ethnic differences in infection rates.  For many in public health, the main story emerging from this report that African-Americans continue to be hit hardest, making up 70% of all gonorrhea cases and a disproportionately higher number of chlamydia cases. Hispanics also have higher rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea than whites.

Responding to this data, ASHA president and CEO, Lynn B. Barclay, said that regardless of what may be behind the increase in reported cases, STIs are a major public health concern. She notes an estimated 19 million Americans are infected each year and that STIs disproportionately affect vulnerable populations that often lack access to health care, such as young people and communities of color.

Noting that high STI rates among youth, African-Americans and Hispanics are largely due to socioeconomic factors, Barclay says  "It's clear more resources are needed to meet these challenges. STI programs are being stretched too thin, and poverty, stigma, and unequal access to care remain core problems that drive these unacceptably high STI rates. ASHA will continue working to educate policy makers on the critical need to fund comprehensive sexual education programs at adequate levels."

Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2008. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; November 2009.

To learn more about STD prevention visit ASHA's website, a free resource that has tools for patients, partners, and healthcare professionals, including a set of interactive STI message boards.

The American Social Health Association is a trusted, non-profit organization that has advocated on behalf of patients to help improve public health outcomes since 1914. We are America's authority for sexually transmitted infection information. ASHA is recognized by the public, patients, providers and policy makers for developing and delivering accurate, medically reliable information about STIs. Public and college health clinics across the United States order ASHA's educational pamphlets and books to give to clients and students. Community-based organizations depend on ASHA, too, to help communicate about risk, transmission, prevention, testing and treatment.

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