Washington, D.C. is leading the list of states with the highest number of sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
D.C. ranked first when it comes to syphilis rates, with 84.5 cases per 100,000 people. The District is also number one in chlamydia rates, with 1,083 affected people per 100,000. It was also named second for gonorrhea rates, with 479.9 people affected per 100,000 residents.
“IUD’s [intrauterine device] are becoming an increasingly popular birth control method among college-age women in the Washington D.C. metro. We are seeing a direct correlation with the rise in IUDs and STDs in this age group,” said Danielle Rieter, BSN. “Young adults need to stop believing they will be safe from pregnancy and STDs without wearing condoms.”
#STD rates continue to rise. Our updated infographic breaks down the numbers, the health dangers of untreated STDs, and how to prevent them. See full graphic: https://t.co/KN0fwjUC50. pic.twitter.com/T0ACYSmHBL
— Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) October 1, 2018
A total of 918 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in the district in 2017, which is the highest number of such cases recorded in 20 years, according to the