While cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain higher in the United States than a decade ago, new data are showing progress in lowering cases.
Per a newly released CDC report, the combined total cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis declined 9% from 2023 to 2024, the third consecutive year of improvement.
An STI Decline
The agency’s provisional data show that cases of chlamydia declined for the second year in a row, falling 8% from 2023. Gonorrhea cases were lower for the third consecutive year, decreasing 10% from 2023. Primary and secondary syphilis, the most infectious stages of syphilis, declined nearly 22%, the second consecutive year of decrease.
Congenital Disease
However, not all of the data in the CDC report were positive.
Cases of congenital syphilis increased for the 12th year in a row, with nearly 4,000 reported cases in 2024. While cases increased only 2% over 2024—a rate less than recent years—rates are up more than 700% since 2015.
More Work to Be Done
Bradley Stoner, MD, PhD, the director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, commended the progress, but cautioned that further work is needed to end the ongoing STI epidemic in the United States.
“While the STI epidemic may be turning a corner, we must accelerate progress and stop its most tragic consequences,” Dr. Stoner said. “About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI, affecting millions of Americans and thousands of babies each year. We need to continue our prevention efforts wholeheartedly at federal, state, and local levels.”
Dr. Stoner reported no relevant financial disclosures.
