Connecticut Is Among 10 States With Lowest Rates of STDs

State public health officials warn there are still a significant health challenge in the state.

Cases of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, are on the rise nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the number of cases is down in Connecticut and the state is one of the 10 with the lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases.  

Officials from the state Department of Health said there were 13,126 cases of chlamydia in the state in 2015, 2,088 cases of gonorrhea and 92 cases of primary and secondary syphilis.  

In 2014, there were 13,590 cases of chlamydia and 2,390 cases of gonorrhea, but an increase in new cases of infectious syphilis, at 84 cases.  

While the CDC report ranks Connecticut in the top 10 of states with the lowest rates of these diseases, DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino warns that STDs remain a significant health challenge in Connecticut. 

“With approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) occurring every year nationally, half among our younger population, it is imperative to continue our efforts to increase STD screening and to identify and focus on at-risk populations,” Pino said in a statement. “In addition to the health impacts on those infected with these preventable diseases, STDs inflict significant health care costs on individuals and the community at large.  Last year alone, STDs nationally accounted for $16 billion in health care costs.” 

State public health officials said these diseases impact certain populations disproportionately.  

Nationally, as well as in Connecticut, the majority of people to contract chlamydia and gonorrhea are women and men who are younger than 25 years old.  For syphilis, the main group affected is men who have sex with men.  

“It is important for people to know their risk and to get themselves tested,” Dr. Lynn Sosa, coordinator of the sexually transmitted diseases program at DPH, said in a statement. “All three of these diseases can be asymptomatic but still be transmitted to others and cause long-term health complications. Fortunately, these are all infections that can be treated when caught early.”

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