The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published sexually transmitted infection (STI) numbers from the United States during 2023 on November 12, 2024.# These numbers include over 209,000 cases of syphilis; over 600,000 cases of gonorrhea; more than 1,600,000 cases of chlamydia; and 3,882 cases of congenital syphilis, including 279 stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths related to congenital syphilis.#
In 2023, there were 53,007 cases of primary and secondary syphilis reported; 53,573 cases of early, non-primary, non-secondary syphilis reported; 98,791 cases of unknown duration or late syphilis reported; and 3,882 cases of congenital syphilis reported.# Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for one-third (32.7%) of all primary and secondary cases of syphilis.#
In 2023, 3,882 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, including 279 stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths related to congenital syphilis.# Perinatal transmission of syphilis can occur during any stage of syphilis; as such, increases in congenital syphilis cases often mirror those of syphilis among women of childbearing age.#
“As in past years, there were significant disparities in reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In 2023, almost half (48.2%) of reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (all stages) were among adolescents and young adults (fifteen [15] to twenty-four [24] years of age). Additionally, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally impacted by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea and early syphilis, and co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common; in 2023, 37.2% of men who have sex with men (MSM) with primary and secondary syphilis were men diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In 2023, 32.4% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis were among non-Hispanic Black or African American persons, even though they made up only 12.6% of the population of the United States. In 2023, rates of primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and congenital syphilis were highest among American Indian or Alaska Native persons.
It is important to note that these disparities are unlikely to be fully explained by differences in sexual behavior and may reflect differential access to quality sexual healthcare, as well as differences in sexual network characteristics. For example, in communities with a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with each sexual encounter, people face a greater chance of encountering an infected partner than those in lower prevalence settings, regardless of similar sexual behavior patterns.”
In 2023, there were 602,319 cases of gonorrhea reported in the United States.# Cases of gonorrhea reached an all-time low in 2009, but have continued to increase through 2021; however, the rate of gonorrhea decreased by 9.2% from 2021 to 2022 and then decreased by 7.7% from 2022 to 2023.# Those with gonorrhea are often asymptomatic; as such, these trends are likely influenced by changes in both disease incidence and screening coverage.#
In 2023, a total of 1,648,568 cases of chlamydia were reported in the United States.# From 2022 to 2023, the rate of chlamydia increased among men and decreased among women (by 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively).# The incidence of chlamydia remained highest among adolescents and young adults; in 2023, 55.8% of all cases were reported among persons fifteen (15) to twenty-four (24) years of age.# Consistent with gonorrhea, those with chlamydia are often asymptomatic; the fluctuating rates of chlamydia are likely influenced by disease incidence and screening coverage.#