CDC estimates 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually transmitted infection
New data provide clearest picture to date of how costly and common STIs are in the U.S.
New data published by the CDC estimate that on any given day in 2018, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. had a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The analyses show the burden of diagnosed and undiagnosed STIs in the U.S. and the estimated medical costs associated with STIs.
It is estimated there were:
Nearly 68 million STIs on any given day in 2018 (prevalent STIs).
26 million newly acquired STIs in 2018 (incident STIs).
Nearly one in two incident STIs were acquired by people aged 15 to24 years old.
Nearly $16 billion in direct lifetime medical costs resulting from STIs acquired in 2018.
“The burden of STIs is staggering, said expert. “At a time when STIs are at an all-time high, they have fallen out of the national conversation. Yet, STIs are a preventable and treatable national health threat with substantial personal and economic impact. There is an urgent need to reverse the trend of increasing STIs, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected many STI prevention services.”
STIs can have serious health consequences. People with these infections do not always experience disease symptoms, but, if left untreated, some STIs can increase the risk of HIV infection, or can cause chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and/or severe pregnancy and newborn complications.
STIs cost the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars annually
HIV and HPV infections acquired in 2018 were the costliest STIs in the new CDC analysis, as medical costs for these infections include lifetime treatment for people with HIV and treatment for HPV-related cancers. Other reportable STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, have substantial medical costs as well.
Of the estimated $16 billion in lifetime medical costs from STIs acquired in 2018:
Most ($13.7 billion) of all costs were attributed to sexually acquired HIV infections.
$755 million were attributed to HPV infections.
More than $1 billion were attributed to chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis combined.
About 60% of these combined costs from chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were among young people ages 15-24 yrs.
Nearly 75% of the $2.2 billion in non-HIV-related STI medical costs were among women.
The total cost of STIs far exceeds the medical cost burden estimated in this study, which did not include costs associated with lost productivity, other non-medical costs, and STI prevention.
“Proven STI prevention – at all levels – is a cornerstone of protecting America’s health, economic security, and wellness,” said expert. “There are significant human and financial costs associated with these infections, and we know from other studies that cuts in STI prevention efforts result in higher costs down the road. Preventing STIs could save billions in medical costs, but more importantly, prevention would improve the health and lives of millions of people.”
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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