A new report from Invigor Medical, based on CDC data, is sounding the alarm — and it’s hitting the South hardest. According to their latest study, seven out of the ten states with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are in the Southern U.S. The report looked at the four most commonly tracked infections — chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV — and how they’ve changed over the past decade. In 2013, the U.S. reported 1.8 million cases.
By 2023, that number jumped to 2.5 million. Chlamydia led the chart with more than 1.6 million cases last year alone.
But it’s not all bad news. The study says,
“While Syphilis infections remain at record highs, reported cases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV have declined from their peak levels in previous years, signaling a promising shift in the trajectory of the nation’s STD burden.”
Still, disparities remain stark — especially in the South. States like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Arkansas are all in the top ten for STI rates. According to the study, these states tend to face persistent challenges in STD prevention, including gaps in healthcare access, limited sexual health education, and structural barriers to screening and treatment. Notably, Florida — a Southern state — does not appear in the top ten for highest STI rates.
Outside the South, New York and South Dakota also report unusually high numbers. In South Dakota, this is linked to concentrated outbreaks in Native American communities, where systemic health inequities and limited services worsen the burden. In New York, high urban density and strong case tracking mean more reported infections — especially among gay and bisexual men and trans folks, who remain disproportionately impacted.
On the flip side, New England reports the lowest STI rates in the country. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine sit at the bottom of the list. Invigor Medical writes,
“New England states tend to be older and have less ethnic diversity, both of which are associated with lower STD risk… Higher incomes and lower uninsured rates also make it easier to access testing and treatment.”
The data also show that Black Americans experience STI rates over seven times higher than White Americans, and young women, especially under 25, are at the highest risk, largely due to elevated chlamydia rates. As we head deeper into summer — a season known for fun, sun, and hookups — health experts are urging folks, especially in high-risk areas, to get tested, stay informed, and use prevention tools like condoms and PrEP.
