STI Rates Continue to Soar in 2021, Prompts Search for Preventative Measures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a record high of over 2.5 million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States in 2021, with chlamydia being the most prevalent. The agency noted that the increase in cases could reflect higher disease transmission or an increase in service utilization as health care clinics re-opened. The data show STIs continue to disproportionately affect gay and bisexual men and younger people, as well as Black and American Indian/Alaska Native people. The CDC director emphasized the need for increased access to quality sexual healthcare services and ongoing innovation and prioritization of STI prevention and treatment.