2015 STD Surveillance Report

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Oct. 19, 2016 – Reported STDs at Unprecedented High in the U.S.

New CDC data for three nationally reported STDs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis – combined have reached unprecedented highs, and CDC calls for expanded prevention efforts in light of these increases.

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Graphics: STDs in the United States

The following images and graphics highlight major findings from CDC’s analysis and provide additional context. These high-resolution, public domain images are ready to download and print in your publication. Click on a graphic to see it in high-resolution.
These images are in the public domain and are thus free of any copyright restrictions. As a matter of courtesy, we ask that the content provider be credited and notified of any public or private usage of an image.

Dr. Jonathan Mermin on the need to mobilize, rebuild, and expand STD services

This graphic displays a quote from Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. He says: We have reached a decisive moment for the nation. STD rates are rising, and many of the country’s systems for preventing STDs have eroded. We must mobilize, rebuild, and expand services – or the human and economic burden will continue to grow.

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“We have reached a decisive moment for the nation. STD rates are rising, and many of the country’s systems for preventing STDs have eroded. We must mobilize, rebuild, and expand services – or the human and economic burden will continue to grow.” – Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Dr. Gail Bolan on talking more openly about STDs

This graphic displays a quote from Dr. Gail Bolan, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. She says: To reverse the STD epidemic, we should all learn to talk more openly about STDs – with our partners, parents, and providers.

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“To reverse the STD epidemic, we should all learn to talk more openly about STDs – with our partners, parents, and providers.” – Dr. Gail Bolan, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention

Gay and Bisexual Men Face Highest – and Rising – Number of Syphilis

This line graph shows the number of reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis from 2007-2015, broken down by men who have sex with men, men who have sex with women, and women. Trend data show rates of syphilis are increasing at an alarming rate (19 percent in 2015). Men account for 90 percent of all primary and secondary syphilis cases and men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 82 percent of male cases where the sex of the sex partner is known. Primary and secondary syphilis are the most infectious stages of the disease, and if not adequately treated, can lead to visual impairment and stroke.

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Trend data show rates of syphilis are increasing at an alarming rate (19 percent in 2015). Men account for a large majority (90 percent) of all primary and secondary syphilis cases and men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 82 percent of male cases where the sex of the sex partner is known. Primary and secondary syphilis are the most infectious stages of the disease, and if not adequately treated, can lead to visual impairment and stroke.

Most Reported Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infections Occur among 15-24-Year-Olds

This bar chart shows the number of gonorrhea and chlamydia cases broken down by age groups. Percentages may not add to 100 because ages were unknown for a small number of cases. Of the 395,216 gonorrhea cases reported in 2015, 1% were among 0-14 year-olds, 18% were among 15-19 year-olds, 32% among 20-24 year-olds, 21% among 25-29 year-olds, 18% among 30-39 year- olds and 10% among those aged 40+. Of the 1,526,658 chlamydia cases reported in 2015 1% were among 0-14 year- olds, 26% were among 15-19 year-olds, 39% among 20-24 year-olds, 18% among 25-29 year-olds, 12% among 30-39 year-olds and 4% among those aged 40+.While sexually transmitted diseases affect individuals of all ages, STDs take a particularly heavy toll on young people.Surveillance data continues to show that numbers and rates of reported chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are highest in Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.

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Americans aged 15-24 account for half of the estimated 20 million new STDs in the U.S. each year. Surveillance data shows both the numbers and rates of reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea continues to be highest among young people aged 15-24. In 2015, there were 981,359 reported cases of chlamydial infection among persons aged 15–24 years, representing 64% of all reported chlamydia cases.

Illustration of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The graphic is an illustration of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

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Audio

Below are audio clips featuring NCHHSTP Director Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH and Division of STD Director Gail Bolan, MD. To save the audio clip, right click the audio player and select the “Save audio as…” option.

Dr. Jonathan Mermin on the nation’s decisive moment regarding STDs

Dr. Jonathan Mermin on reversing the STD epidemics

Dr. Gail Bolan on the importance of talking openly about STDs

Dr. Gail Bolan on the devastating consequences of syphilis

Related CDC Sites
NCHHSTP's Prevention Through Health Care Web site

High Quality Care:
Access and Delivery

The NCHHSTP AtlasPlus is an interactive tool that provides CDC an effective way to disseminate HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, TB data and Social Determinants of Health Data, while allowing users to observe trends and patterns by creating detailed reports, maps, and other graphics. Find out more!

CDC’s HIV, hepatitis, STD, &
TB data made interactive

Page last reviewed: October 19, 2016
Content source: National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention