Shining A Light On STIs

Friday, 9 May 2025, 8:50 am
Article: Hugh Grant

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are like the boogeyman - they are widely feared and talked about in hushed tones. However, most of this fear is driven by misunderstanding and fear rather than by the disease itself. As many as 1 in 5 adults in the United States have an STI. In order to avoid being the next to catch an infection, it is important to arm yourself with a data-driven understanding of where the risk is highest for certain types of STIs. This knowledge can help adults protect themselves from a painful, uncomfortable, or even deadly infection.

Demographic information is key to understanding where the risks for STIs are most visible. This includes considering where you live, what you do, who you are, and who you love. In the United States, some states have a significantly higher rate of STIs affecting the population, which means contracting it can be much more likely in these regions. Minnesota, Louisiana, South Dakota, Alaska, and Georgia have higher rates compared to the rest of the country. Each of these states has over 1,000 people affected by an STI per 100,000 people. In comparison, at the low end of the spectrum, states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Idaho, and Utah have rates that are half as high.

The data shows even further stratification of regions across the United States for even the type of STI that is most likely to be spread throughout the population. Syphilis is most common on the West Coast, compared to gonorrhea in the South. The Northeast is dominated by HIV, while the Midwest experiences chlamydia more than any other STI. Unsurprisingly, metropolitan areas have higher rates of STIs compared to their more rural counterparts, given that there are more people to spread the infections. The data points to the highest risk levels being located in a Southern metropolitan area.

There are a few behaviors that raise the risk levels for contracting an STI as well. Unprotected sex is the most obvious, as people are coming into direct contact with each other. In fact, for every 10,000 times unprotected sex is performed, 51% to 64% of people contract syphilis. Gonorrhea follows at 20%, then chlamydia at 4.5%. The widely feared HIV is the lowest, at .05% to .1%, but it is the most dangerous of all the STIs in terms of death rates.

Other behaviors include having more than one sexual partner, which can also increase the risk of contracting an STI. Women with 5 or more sexual partners are 8x more likely to have an STI, compared to their less sexually active counterparts. Substance use, such as alcohol and cocaine, has a correlational link to developing an STI as well. These substances are typically used in party environments, where promiscuous behaviors, including unprotected sex, often take place.

STI rates can also vary depending on ethnic background. Over 30% of the black population has contracted syphilis, gonorrhea, and syphilis. 31% of white people have contracted syphilis, while 22% have contracted chlamydia and gonorrhea. Hispanic and Latino populations have a lower percentage in comparison, with 15% for chlamydia, 14% for gonorrhea, and 21% for syphilis. Risks are also higher for those who don’t have health insurance, who use public transportation, and have an income below the poverty level. Perhaps unsurprisingly, young people are much more likely than older generations to contract an STI.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to reduce your risk of catching an STI. Abstinence is the obvious answer, but many people may not be willing to partake. If you choose to be sexually active, it is important to get frequently tested, use external and internal condoms, and become vaccinated after exposure.

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