Top 10 Cities With The Highest STD Rates in 2022

Since 2020, the only virus the country has focused on was COVID-19. However, the CDC finally released the latest Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Surveillance Report, and we are bringing you the top ten cities with the highest STD rates. Unfortunately, for the 6th consecutive year, the STD rate in the United States hit a record high.

Before we jump into the list, here are a few facts we want you all to know. Sadly, STD rates are five to eight times higher for Black people than non-Hispanic white people. In addition, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis top the list of most commonly reported new STD infections. These three diseases increased almost 30% from 2015 to 2019.

Top Cities with High STD Rates

1. Jackson, MS – HIV Cases: 2,541; Chlamydia Cases: 3,984; Gonorrhea Cases: 2,081; Syphilis Cases: 100
2. Baltimore, MD – HIV Cases: 9,441; Chlamydia Cases: 8,602; Gonorrhea Cases: 3,982; Syphilis Cases: 312
3. San Francisco, CA – HIV Cases: 12,149; Chlamydia Cases: 9,505; Gonorrhea Cases: 5,593; Syphilis Cases: 579
4. Philadelphia, PA – HIV Cases: 16,917; Chlamydia Cases: 20,354; Gonorrhea Cases: 7,043; Syphilis Cases: 470
5. Washington D.C. – HIV Cases: 62; Chlamydia Cases: 17,589; Gonorrhea Cases: 2,236; Syphilis Cases: 865
6. Augusta, GA – HIV Cases: 1,400; Chlamydia Cases: 2,636; Gonorrhea Cases: 1,100; Syphilis Cases: 97
7. New York, NY – HIV Cases: 97,206; Chlamydia Cases: 74,014; Gonorrhea Cases: 28,394; Syphilis Cases: 1,952
8. Montgomery, AL – HIV Cases: 1,470; Chlamydia Cases: 2,569; Gonorrhea Cases: 1,226; Syphilis Cases: 75
9. Knoxville, TN – HIV Cases: 960; Chlamydia Cases: 3,710; Gonorrhea Cases: 1,626; Syphilis Cases: 34
10. Fayetteville, NC – HIV Cases: 1,368; Chlamydia Cases: 4,337; Gonorrhea Cases: 1,741; Syphilis Cases: 49

As shocking as these numbers are, there is no guarantee that they’re accurate. There is a likely chance that many STD cases weren’t reported. Due to the pandemic, many labs were understaffed or solely focusing on COVID-19. This led to serious under-testing at what amounted to a high-water mark in STD infections nationwide. We cannot assume that people stopped having sex since the world shut down. However, we know that access to STD screenings was lacking.

The CDC warns, “If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor.” Researchers hope that more and more people will get tested and more accurate numbers will be reported.