It is estimated that there were almost 68 million STIs on a given day in 2018, as well as 26 million newly acquired STIs in the same year. The research found that almost one in two incidental STIs were acquired by people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Research has also shown that, over a lifetime, these infections would incur nearly $ 16 billion in medical costs.
“The STI burden is staggering,” said Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, director of the CDC National Center for HIV / AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs and TB Prevention. “At a time when ITS had reached a record high, they left the national conversation. However, STIs are a preventable and treatable national threat, with substantial personal and economic impact. There is an urgent need to reverse the trend. STI growth, 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 have symptoms of the disease, but if left untreated, some STIs may increase the risk of HIV infection or cause chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and / or severe pregnancy, and complications in the newborn. .
ITS costs the US healthcare system billions of dollars annually
HIV and HPV infections acquired in 2018 were the most expensive STIs in the new CDC analysis, as medical costs for these infections include lifelong treatment for people living with HIV and treatment for HPV-related cancers. Other reportable STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, also have substantial medical costs.
Of the estimated $ 16 billion in lifetime medical costs from STIs purchased in 2018:
The total cost of STIs far outweighs the estimated medical costs in this study, which did not include the costs associated with lost productivity, other non-medical costs, and STI prevention.
“Proven STI prevention – at all levels – is a cornerstone for protecting America’s health, economic security and well-being,” said Raul Romaguera, interim director of the CDC’s STD Prevention Division. “There are significant human and financial costs associated with these infections and we know from other studies that reductions in STI prevention efforts lead to higher costs along the way. STI prevention could save billions in medical costs, but more importantly, prevention would improve the health and lives of millions of people. “
Focusing on STI prevention on those most affected and the need for better data
COVID-19 highlighted the underlying effects of systemic health and social inequities that put racial and ethnic minority groups and other populations at increased risk of infection. Similarly, there is a continuing disproportionate burden of STIs among certain racial and ethnic groups; among young people aged 15 to 24 who accounted for almost half of all new STIs in 2018; and among women, which is a disproportionate burden of severe STI outcomes and medical costs.
New CDC estimates are essential for a better understanding of the US ITS sphere. However, the conclusions also highlight gaps in the scientific literature and the continuing need for more data. This includes the need for population-based STI screening estimates to provide a better picture of diagnosed and undiagnosed STIs in disproportionately affected groups, including some racial / ethnic minority groups and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or and career / LGBTQ questions.
Innovative strategies essential for tackling the STI epidemic
At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating racial and ethnic health disparities, straining public health infrastructure and creating additional challenges for health care delivery, new strategies for increasing access to quality sexual health care are essential. Strategies used to overcome the barriers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to help reverse STI growth.
Examples include:
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