The number of older Americans contracting STDs is “shockingly high.” The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released data that appears to show that STD rates are “skyrocketing” among older Americans. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are typically associated with younger people, but according to new statistics, it appears that older Americans are becoming infected with several STDs. In the US, the prevalence of diseases including syphilis, hepatitis C, and chlamydia is significantly greater in adults over 55 than it was ten years ago.
The latest recent statistics, which date from 2022, indicate a notable rise in the number of adult STD infections as compared to 2012. For instance, there were 5,160 cases of syphilis in persons 55 and older recorded in 2022, up from 3,092 instances in 2020. However, to put things into context, there were only 712 cases in 2012. That represents a nearly 5,000 case increase in only a decade.
In a similar vein, 19,766 instances of chlamydia were reported among Americans 55 and older in 2022, up from 13,774 cases in 2020.
According to the reports, professor Matthew Lee Smith of Texas A&M suggested that the absence of sex education in the affected generation may be the cause of this spike.
He stated: “Back in the ’30s, the ’40s, the ’50s, traditional school wasn’t really doing sexual education very formally.”
One in five Americans, according to CDC estimates, has an STD. The most infected young people are those between the ages of 20 and 34. STIs are more common in adolescents, young adults, and males who have intercourse with other men. Additionally, there may be an increased chance of HIV infection in those with STIs. STIs can be avoided by encouraging practices like using condoms.
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