April is recognized as Sexually Transmitted Infection Month, and a recent report indicates that New York State ranks fourth in the nation for the highest number of STD cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that each year, the U.S. sees 20 million new STI cases, resulting in medical costs amounting to $16 billion.
According to a study by backgroundchecks.org, New York State reported 1,639 cases per 100,000 people, totaling 270,607 STD cases. The study analyzed data from 2015 to 2020, including HIV prevalence, HIV diagnoses, primary & secondary (P&S) syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Among these, HIV prevalence was the highest in New York, with 125,383 cases, followed by chlamydia at 97,722 cases.
The elevated numbers could be attributed to casual dating and multiple sexual partners found through dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. A separate study by WhistleOut found that 46% of New Yorkers searched for Tinder, while 29% searched for Hinge.
Despite the high number of cases, New York ranks 48th among the 50 states for average yearly increases in STDs since 2015, with a 1.14% increase. This suggests that New Yorkers are taking responsibility by getting tested for STDs and STIs. The CDC recommends annual testing for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea and at least one HIV test for all adults and adolescents between the ages of 13 and 64.
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