It is estimated that there were about 68 million STIs on a given day in 2018, as well as 26 million newly acquired STIs in the same year. The investigation found that almost one in two STI incidents was acquired by people aged 15 to 24 years.
Research further showed that over a lifetime, these infections would involve medical costs of about $ 16 billion.
“The burden of STIs is impressive,” said Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, director of the CDC National Center for HIV / AIDS, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis prevention. “At a time when STIs are reaching an all-time high, they have fallen out of the national conversation. However, STIs are a preventable and treatable national threat with a substantial personal and economic impact. There is an urgent need to reverse the trend of rising 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 show symptoms of the disease, 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 complications. of the newborn.
STIs cost the US healthcare system billions of dollars a year
Acquired HIV and HPV infections in 2018 were the most costly STIs in the new CDC analysis, as the medical costs of these infections include lifelong treatment for people with HIV and cancer treatment. related to HPV. Other reportable STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, also have substantial medical costs.
Of the estimated $ 16 billion lifetime medical costs of STIs acquired in 2018:
The total cost of STIs far exceeds the estimated medical cost burden in this study, which did not include the costs associated with lost productivity, other non-medical costs, and STI prevention.
“Demonstrated prevention of STIs, at all levels, is a cornerstone for protecting the health, economic security, and well-being of the United States,” said Raúl Romaguera, Acting Director of CDC’s STD Prevention Division. . “There are significant human and financial costs associated with these infections, and we know from other studies that cuts in STI prevention efforts lead to higher costs on the road. STI prevention could save billions in medical costs, but more importantly, prevention will improve the health and lives of millions of people. “
Focus on the prevention of STIs on those most affected and on the need for better data
COVID-19 has highlighted the underlying effects of social inequalities and systemic health that put at risk racial and ethnic minority groups and other populations. Similarly, there is a disproportionate burden of STIs between certain racial and ethnic groups; among young people aged 15 to 24 who accounted for almost half of new STIs in 2018; and among women, who account for a disproportionate burden of serious STI outcomes and medical costs.
New CDC estimates are critical to better understanding the scope of STIs in the U.S. However, the findings also highlight the shortcomings of the scientific literature and the continuing need for more data. This includes the need for estimates based on the detection of population-based STIs to provide a better picture of diagnosed and undiagnosed STIs in disproportionately affected groups, including some racial / ethnic minority groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual people, transgender or queer / interrogative. LGBTQ.
Innovative and fundamental strategies to address the STI epidemic
At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating racial and ethnic disparities in health, straining public health infrastructure and creating additional challenges to providing health services, new strategies are essential to increase access to sexual health care. quality. Strategies used to overcome the barriers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may help reverse STI increases.
Some examples are:
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