CDC - Partners | Chlamydia Breeds Serious Consequences

Chlamydia Breeds Serious Consequences

Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States. In 2006, 1,030,911 Chlamydia diagnoses were reported, up from 976,445 in 2005. This is the highest number of cases of any notifiable disease ever reported in the United States. Even so, because this sexually transmitted disease (STD) is often asymptomatic, most cases go undiagnosed.

Young Women Face Greatest Risk

Photo: Protect Yourself Women, especially young women, are hit hardest by Chlamydia. Studies have found that Chlamydia is more common among adolescent females than adolescent males. CDC's Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2006 reported that the Chlamydia case rate for females in 2006 was three times higher than for males. The long-term consequences of untreated disease are also much more severe for females and include ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Because of these consequences, CDC and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend annual Chlamydia screening for all sexually active women under age 26,

Although Chlamydia is common among all races and ethnic groups, African-American women are disproportionately affected. In 2006, the rate of reported Chlamydia per 100,000 black females (1,760.9) was more than seven times that of white females (237.0) and more than twice that of Hispanic females (761.3). The rate among American Indian/Alaska Native females was the second highest, at 1,262.3.

Economic Impact Also Damaging: Treatment Costs Millions a Year

In addition to serious health consequences, untreated Chlamydial infections have a major economic impact in the United States. Based on 2000 estimates of disease burden, Chlamydia was the fourth most costly STD (including HIV), with total annual costs of $624 million in 2007 US dollars. Partnership for Prevention rates Chlamydia screening as one of the most cost-effective and under-utilized clinical preventive services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

The National Chlamydia Coalition

In collaboration with Partnership for Prevention, the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) successfully launched the new National Chlamydia Coalition (NCC) on June 5, 2008. The NCC is comprised of non-profit organizations, healthcare professional associations, advocacy organizations, and local, state, and federal government representatives dedicated to elevating the importance of Chlamydia screening and treatment, and increasing screening rates among adolescents and young adults.

Under Partnership for Prevention's leadership, a steering committee of eight founding organizations met with DSTDP over the past several months to plan for the meeting and recruit other national organizations with interest in reproductive and sexual health. More than 30 national organizations attended the inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C.

NCC's overall mission is to improve and protect the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young adults by increasing rates of Chlamydia screening among adolescent and young women. Specifically, the NCC will

Increase awareness of the importance of Chlamydia screening for sexually active women 25 years of age and under through public education;
Identify and address barriers faced by healthcare providers in adhering to Chlamydia screening guidance;
Advocate for increasing access to and use of Chlamydia screening and treatment services; and
Encourage research to enhance the prevention of Chlamydia and its medical and social consequences.

In addition to the steering committee, three other committees were formed to address public education/awareness, provider barriers/awareness, and policy/advocacy. These committees meet regularly via conference calls and Webinars to identify priority activities. The NCC is supported by a new Web community, developed by CDC's NPIN to facilitate information sharing among NCC members and their committees. The next in-person meeting of the entire NCC is scheduled for November 19, 2008. CDC’s National Chlamydia Coordinator, Raul A. Romaguera, DMD, MPH, is the liaison to the NCC.