US STD Rates Reach New Heights: A Quiz on CDC’s 2019 STD Surveillance Report
In 2019, reported annual cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the US reached an all-time high for the sixth consecutive year, according to the 2019 STD Surveillance Report published April 13, 2021, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The annual report is based on case notification data provided to the CDC through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
The report showed significant increases in reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Exactly how much did cases increases? And in which populations? Find key takeaways in the 7-question quiz below.
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1. Which of the above was the most common notifiable condition in the US in 2019?
Answer: A. Chlamydia. In 2019, more than 1.8 million cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection were reported to the CDC, making it the most common notifiable condition in the US for that year. This case count corresponds to a rate of 552.8 cases per 100 000 population, an increase of 2.8% vs the rate in 2018.
2. True or false? In 2019, 61% of all reported chlamydia cases were among persons aged 30-39 years.
Answer: B. False. In 2019, 61% of all reported chlamydia cases were among persons aged 15-24 years. Among women in this age group, the population targeted for chlamydia screening, the overall rate of reported cases of chlamydia increased 10% from 2015.
3. By approximately how much did the rate of reported chlamydia cases among men increase between 2015-2019?
Answer: C. 32%. Between 2015 and 2019, rates of reported chlamydia cases among men increased 32.1%, which may reflect an increased number of men—including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM)—being tested and diagnosed with a chlamydial infection. This is due to increased availability of urine testing and extragenital screening, increased transmissions among men, or both, according to the CDC.
4. True or false? Rates of reported cases of gonorrhea increased 56% between 2015 and 2019.
Answer: A. True. Between 2015 and 2019, rates of reported cases of gonorrhea increased 56%. Also, since reaching a historic low in 2009, rates of reported gonorrhea have increased 92%, going from 98.1 cases per 100 000 population in 2009 to 188.4 cases per 100 000 population in 2019.
5. In 2019, there were 616 392 reported cases of gonorrhea. Approximately what percentage of all infections were resistant to at least 1 antibiotic?
Answer: D. 50%. In 2019, more than half of all gonorrhea infections were estimated to be resistant to be resistant to at least 1 antibiotic.
6. By approximately how much did total reported cases of syphilis (all stages) increase between 2018-2019?
Answer: B. 12%. Total reported cases of syphilis (all stages) increased 12.8% between 2018 (115 062) and 2019 (129 813).
7. Which of the above states had the highest rate of reported cases of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis in 2019?
Answer: C. Nevada. In 2019, Nevada had the highest rate of reported cases of P&S syphilis (26.6 cases/100 000 population), followed by New Mexico (24.4 cases/100 000 population), Mississippi (23.1 cases/100 000 population), and California (20.9 cases/100 000 population).
