Rise of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Prior to 2014, sexually transmitted diseases were at an all time low thanks to modern medicine, better screening, and antibiotics. However, since then, there has been a significant increase; especially in young women, infants, and gay and bisexual men (predominately ages 15-24) [5]. More than 2 millions cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia were reported in 2016, which is the highest ever recorded since the CDC began tracking in 1941.[4]
[2] Between 2015 and 2016:
So what’s causing this increase in STD’s in America? These 3 diseases either don’t have symptoms or have mild ones that can be ignored; this can lead the to spreading of the disease before it’s identified and treated [5]. Putting this aside, scientists have been able to narrow the increasing trend down to 5 contributing causes:
1. An increase in men having sex with men without using condoms
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (straight and transgender) are at a higher risk for STD’s than men and women who have sex with only women. It’s believed that the success in treating HIV has made sex seem “less scary” or less risky for these men, thus making them take greater risks, such as not wearing condoms and furthering the spread of STD’s. [1]
2. STD’s are being seen in populations where they previously haven’t been
The CDC reports that more and more women are becoming infected with syphilis and passing it to their babies. If a woman becomes infected and goes untreated, the bacteria can get into her bloodstream and pass through the placenta and to the baby, which can cause stillbirths as well as other complications.[1-2,4]
3. Dating apps are making sex more available and anonymous, making it harder to track outbreaks
Tinder and Grindr have made sex more easily available. When a person becomes infected and gets checked out, typically a public health official would contact all of the infected person’s recent sexual partners. However, with anonymous sexual encounters, it can be practically impossible to track down the sexual partners, allowing the disease to continue spreading without getting caught. [1]
Furthermore, many couples in currently are struggling with infidelity thanks to social media and the apps previously mentioned. Monogamy is no longer as common as it used to be, and movies, music, and television shows glorify having multiple sexual partners. However, many couples now are choosing to live together before getting married, which has actually caused the divorce rate to decrease over the last couple of years. [3]
4. Higher numbers may be an indicator of better detection and reporting
Chlamydia can cause no symptoms but lead to infertility in women. Because of this, younger women have been targeted to be screened for this more frequently. This focus and increase in testing may be the reason more cases have been caught and reported than in the past. [1,2]
5. Cuts to public health Funding means fewer STD clinics
People could get tested and treated at STD Clinics, and it was a safe place where they could go. However, thanks to budget cuts and the current financial crisis, public health has been drastically cut. Since 2008, there have been 50,000 jobs eliminated and most STD clinics have had to dramatically cut back hours or close their doors, limiting access for individuals.[1-5]
What can be done?
To reverse this increasing trend, health officials say there needs to be more awareness and available information regarding safer sex and STD education, as well as the money to keep clinics open and accessible. [1] Some scientists and policy makers think STD screening and treatment should be a standard part of medical care and would help decrease the spread of these sexually transmitted diseases. [4] The CDC also encourages a more open discussion and education about STD’s, condom use, screening and getting tested regularly, and practicing mutual monogamy if sexually active.[2] Regardless, it’s going to take a lot of team players to get on board if we want to see a decrease in STD’s in America.
[2] Between 2015 and 2016:
- Gonorrhea cases increased by 18.5%
- Syphilis increased by 17.6%
- Congenital (spread from mother to infant) increased by 27.6%
- Chlamydia increased by 4.7%
So what’s causing this increase in STD’s in America? These 3 diseases either don’t have symptoms or have mild ones that can be ignored; this can lead the to spreading of the disease before it’s identified and treated [5]. Putting this aside, scientists have been able to narrow the increasing trend down to 5 contributing causes:
1. An increase in men having sex with men without using condoms
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (straight and transgender) are at a higher risk for STD’s than men and women who have sex with only women. It’s believed that the success in treating HIV has made sex seem “less scary” or less risky for these men, thus making them take greater risks, such as not wearing condoms and furthering the spread of STD’s. [1]
2. STD’s are being seen in populations where they previously haven’t been
The CDC reports that more and more women are becoming infected with syphilis and passing it to their babies. If a woman becomes infected and goes untreated, the bacteria can get into her bloodstream and pass through the placenta and to the baby, which can cause stillbirths as well as other complications.[1-2,4]
3. Dating apps are making sex more available and anonymous, making it harder to track outbreaks
Tinder and Grindr have made sex more easily available. When a person becomes infected and gets checked out, typically a public health official would contact all of the infected person’s recent sexual partners. However, with anonymous sexual encounters, it can be practically impossible to track down the sexual partners, allowing the disease to continue spreading without getting caught. [1]
Furthermore, many couples in currently are struggling with infidelity thanks to social media and the apps previously mentioned. Monogamy is no longer as common as it used to be, and movies, music, and television shows glorify having multiple sexual partners. However, many couples now are choosing to live together before getting married, which has actually caused the divorce rate to decrease over the last couple of years. [3]
4. Higher numbers may be an indicator of better detection and reporting
Chlamydia can cause no symptoms but lead to infertility in women. Because of this, younger women have been targeted to be screened for this more frequently. This focus and increase in testing may be the reason more cases have been caught and reported than in the past. [1,2]
5. Cuts to public health Funding means fewer STD clinics
People could get tested and treated at STD Clinics, and it was a safe place where they could go. However, thanks to budget cuts and the current financial crisis, public health has been drastically cut. Since 2008, there have been 50,000 jobs eliminated and most STD clinics have had to dramatically cut back hours or close their doors, limiting access for individuals.[1-5]
What can be done?
To reverse this increasing trend, health officials say there needs to be more awareness and available information regarding safer sex and STD education, as well as the money to keep clinics open and accessible. [1] Some scientists and policy makers think STD screening and treatment should be a standard part of medical care and would help decrease the spread of these sexually transmitted diseases. [4] The CDC also encourages a more open discussion and education about STD’s, condom use, screening and getting tested regularly, and practicing mutual monogamy if sexually active.[2] Regardless, it’s going to take a lot of team players to get on board if we want to see a decrease in STD’s in America.
References
1. Belluz, J. 5 reasons why 3 STDs are roaring back in America. Vox (2018). at <https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/9/27/16371142/2016-record-year-syphilis-gonorrhea-chlamydia>
2. CDC Press Releases. CDC (2018). at <https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0926-std-prevention.html>
3.1.Divorce Rate in U.S. Drops to Nearly 40-Year Low. Time (2018). at <http://time.com/4575495/divorce-rate-nearly-40-year-low/>
4. Mamosar, G. STDs: Still Increasing. Healthline (2018). at <https://www.healthline.com/health-news/sexually-transmitted-diseases-are-still-on-the-rise>
5. Rettner, R. America's STD Epidemic: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea & Syphilis Cases on the Rise. Live Science (2018). at <https://www.livescience.com/60543-std-cases-record-high.html>
2. CDC Press Releases. CDC (2018). at <https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0926-std-prevention.html>
3.1.Divorce Rate in U.S. Drops to Nearly 40-Year Low. Time (2018). at <http://time.com/4575495/divorce-rate-nearly-40-year-low/>
4. Mamosar, G. STDs: Still Increasing. Healthline (2018). at <https://www.healthline.com/health-news/sexually-transmitted-diseases-are-still-on-the-rise>
5. Rettner, R. America's STD Epidemic: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea & Syphilis Cases on the Rise. Live Science (2018). at <https://www.livescience.com/60543-std-cases-record-high.html>