For Immediate Release:
November 9, 2005

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli 212-819-9770 x325

New York , NY - On November 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2004, its latest report summarizing the latest data on trends of specific STDs, including Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The report found that an estimated 19 million new STD infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 22. The report also found an upsurge in syphilis beginning in 2000 through 2004, as well as a steady increase in Chlamydia, particularly among young women. Cases of gonorrhea, on the other hand continue s to decline, falling to the lowest recorded level since 1941.

"With so may STD infections occurring each year, this data only reinforces how important it is that all Americans receive comprehensive and medically accurate information about their sexual health throughout their lifetime," said Joseph DiNorcia, president and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). "The data also makes the case for routine testing of STDs to help stem the tide of infection," DiNorcia continued.

Data of note:

Chlamydia

• 929,000 cases of Chlamydia were reported in 2004, representing a 6% increase from 2003 to 2004. The CDC estimates the actual number of cases could be as high as 2.8 million.
• CDC believes this increase is due to expansion of screening efforts and new, more sensitive diagnostic tests, rather than an actual increase in infections.
• Young people ages 15 to 19 have the highest rate of Chlamydia of any age group.
• Rate of Chlamydia among African American females is seven times the rate of white females.

Gonorrhea

• 330,132 cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2005, representing a 1.5% decline from 2003 to 2004. This is the lowest recorded level since reporting began in 1941.
• While the rate of gonorrhea fell 3% among African Americans from 2003 to 2004, African Americans are 19 times more likely to be infected than whites.

Syphilis:

• 7,980 cases of syphilis were reported in 2004, representing an 8% increase from 2003 to 2004. This is the fourth consecutive increase since reaching an all-time low in 2000.
• Syphilis rates among men increased 81% from 2000 to 2004. However, for the first time in 10 years, syphilis rates among women did not increase between 2003 and 2004.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 64% of the cases in 2004, up from 5% in 1999. This increase occurred among all racial and ethnic groups.

"The concentration of STDs among young people, particularly the rise in Chlamydia among young women, and rise in syphilis among men, is of deep concern," DiNorcia said. "It is critical that we examine what risk behaviors these groups are engaging in so that we can implement appropriate educational programs. The federal government exclusively funds programs focused abstinence until marriage, and while these programs may be meeting the politician's ideological litmus test, they are clearly not meeting the needs of our young people." DiNorcia continued.

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