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STDs and STIs Highest Among Younger Adults

by Kyle Washburn

Health & Fitness Editor

Thursday April 18, 2013

Spring is in the air, and so are sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Well, not really, but April is STD Awareness Month.

All sexually active people are at risk for contracting a STD or STI. However, young adults aged 15-24 are disproportionately affected as a group. The CDC estimates that although 27% of the sexually active population is aged 15-24, they account for over 50% (20 million) of new STIs in the United States each year.

More specifically, young people account for the following STD/STIs each year:

  • 70% of gonorrhea infections at 820,000

  • 63% of chlamydia infections at 2.8 million

  • 49% of HPV infections at 14.1 million

  • 45% of genital herpes infections at 776,000

  • 26% of HIV infections at 47,500

  • 20% of syphilis infections at 55,400

    A more concerning statistic is the discrepancy between being infected and not being aware or diagnosed of your status and health.

    There are about 570,000 new cases of gonorrhea each year, and less than half of those infected (200,000) are aware.

    The numbers for chlamydia are even more startling. With over 1.8 million new cases each year, 800,000 of those cases are undiagnosed.

    Since STI/STDs do not always have symptoms, many people never know they are infected. Therefore, it is critical to have regular screenings and checkups with a doctor or health care professional if you are sexually active. The question remains why young adults are infected at higher rates.

    There are some specific reasons why youth are at a higher risk of contracting STD/STIs. 1. Insufficient screening

    2. Confidentiality concerns

    3. Lack of access to healthcare

    4. Multiple sex partners

    To help prevent and reduce the transmission and incidence of STDs and STIs, it is advised by the CDC that all sexually active people, especially young adults, use protection, get tested, reduce risky behaviors, and get vaccinated against HPV.

    Kyle Washburn is the National Health and Fitness Editor at Edge Publications, Inc. He earned a BS in Physiology, M.Ed in Sport Psychology and Counseling and an MBA. He is a certified personal trainer through NASM and ACE and has been training for over ten years. He is an avid triathlete, softball and tennis player, runner, hiker and enjoys the outdoors.