New Data suggest STDs continued to Increase

Reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States decreased during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but most resurged by the end of that year, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Ultimately, reported cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and congenital syphilis surpassed 2019 levels, while chlamydia declined, according to new data published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The data provide the clearest picture yet of COVID-19’s impact on the U.S. STD epidemic.  The 2020 STD Surveillance Report found that at the end of 2020, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis were up 10% and 7%, respectively, compared to 2019.  While STDs are increasing across many groups, the 2020 STD data show that some racial and ethnic minority groups, gay and bisexual men, and our nation’s youth continue to experience higher rates of STDs.