STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are also sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Many STIs can be treated and cured, but some may require lifelong management.
While both “STI” and “STD” are used, “STI” is often preferred because it highlights the fact that a person can be infected without showing any symptoms. The term “disease” in STD can imply that there is always a clear medical problem with obvious symptoms, which is not always the case with sexually transmitted infections.
STIs are primarily spread through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Many STIs are curable with antibiotics, while others may require antiviral medications or long-term management. Most sexually transmitted infections will not go away on their own and require medical treatment. While some symptoms might temporarily subside, the infection itself persists and can cause long-term damage if left untreated. Using condoms, limiting the number of sexual partners can help to stop transmission.
There are many different types of STIs, including bacterial infections like chlamydia, HPV, syphilis, and gonorrhea, viral infections like herpes and HIV, and parasitic infections like trichomoniasis. Some sexually transmitted infections cause noticeable symptoms, while others may be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t cause any noticeable signs or symptoms, especially in the early stages. If you suspect you have a sexually transmitted infection, it’s crucial to get tested and seek appropriate treatment from a healthcare professional.
Cities in America With the Highest STI Rates
Recently, Innerbody Research released a report on the U.S cities with the highest STI rates, utilizing the CDC’s latest STI Surveillance Statistics to provide a city-by-city list of the Top 100 metropolitan areas with the highest rates.
CDC data suggests that the overall sexually transmitted infection rates dropped by 1.8% in 2023 when compared with the previous year after trending up for the majority of the past two decades. For instance, the national gonorrhea rate decreased by 7%, and while the rate of chlamydia infection remained largely unchanged, it still represents a 9% decrease since 2019. However, syphilis infections increased by 1%, which represents a much slower rate than the 29% increase seen in the previous year-over-year report.
Quick Points
- Across the nation, infection rates are near their record high levels over the past two decades, but this year shows a slight decline of nearly 2% in the overall infection rate.
- Overall, national figures show signs of improvement, yet the rates reveal disparities and significant room for improvement in all respects across the nation.
- While the South, representing around 39% of the population, still struggles with high rates in metro areas, accounting for over 60% of the top 25 areas, but there is evidence of improvement.
- The West shows evidence of improvement in the metropolitan STI rates.
- Non-Hispanic Black people represent around 12.6% of the population and account for 32.4% of the cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, as well as both primary and secondary syphilis.
- The rate of gonorrhea infections among Black/African American males is over eight times the rate among White males.
- The Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander racial group rate of chlamydia infection is over three times higher than that among White people.
- Within the Hispanic/Latino population, rates of congenital syphilis infections are more than double that of White people, and the infection rate among non-Hispanic Black people is nearly 4 times higher than the rate among White people.
- The congenital syphilis rates among American Indian/Alaska Native populations are nearly 12 times higher than those of the White population in our country
- Detroit, MI, topped the study, earning the distinction of the metro area with the highest infection rates.
- Provo, UT, ranked 100th for the second year in a row, with 99 metro areas having worse sexually transmitted infection rates.
- Jackson, MS, ranked third last year, but improved to 12th in this report.
- Little Rock, AR, ranked 11th last year, and improved significantly to 27th in this report.
- Montgomery, AL, ranked 7th last year, but worsened to rank 3rd in this report.
2025 Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest STI Rates
- Detroit, MI, having 1,491 sexually transmitted infection cases per 100K population, as per U.S Census Bureau data, with 20,830 chlamydia cases, 628 syphilis cases, 386 HIV cases, and 7,983 gonorrhea cases.
- Philadelphia, PA, having 1,459 cases per 100K population, with 32,157 chlamydia cases, 1,005 syphilis cases, 652 HIV cases, and 12,321 gonorrhea cases.
- Montgomery, AL, having 1,446 cases per 100K population, with 3,363 chlamydia cases, 204 syphilis cases, 97 HIV cases, and 1,771 gonorrhea cases.
- Memphis, TN, having 1,430 cases per 100K population, with 10,525 chlamydia cases, 356 syphilis cases, 354 HIV cases, and 4,728 gonorrhea cases.
- Baltimore, MD, having 1,370 cases per 100K population, with 16,192 chlamydia cases, 525 syphilis cases, 302 HIV cases, and 6,747 gonorrhea cases.
- New Orleans, LA, having 1,357 cases per 100K population, with 9,572 chlamydia cases, 315 syphilis cases, 230 HIV cases, and 3,966 gonorrhea cases.
- Washington, DC, having 22,738 cases per 100K population, with 22,738 chlamydia cases, 489 syphilis cases, 593 HIV cases, and 6,450 gonorrhea cases.
- St. Louis, MO, having 1,314 cases per 100K population, with 16,482 chlamydia cases, 550 syphilis cases, 280 HIV cases, and 7,957 gonorrhea cases.
- Baton Rouge, LA, having 1,296 sexually transmitted infection cases per 100K population, with 6,651 chlamydia cases, 255 syphilis cases, 175 HIV cases, and 2,750 gonorrhea cases.
- San Francisco, CA, having 1,296 STI cases per 100K population, with 9,669 chlamydia cases, 449 syphilis cases, 291 HIV cases, and 6,307 gonorrhea cases.
If you are curious if your city made the top 100 highest STI rates, click here to see more.
Prevention is Better Than a Cure
“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,” stresses the CDC.
We can help fight the sexually transmitted infection epidemic by always using protection, educating ourselves, getting tested, and seeking treatment when there is an infection.
When it comes down to it, we must decide if we are going to be part of the problem or the solution to prevent the rapid spread of STIs.
This article was created at the WHN News Desk using information from the CDC and Innerbody Research.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.innerbody.com/std-testing/std-statistics
https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data
https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/data-vis/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p1112-sti-slowing.html
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhstpatlas/tables.html
https://www.cdc.gov/sti-funding/media/pdfs/2024-03-13-dis.pdf
https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-counties-total.html
