I Wanna Know

STI Statistics and Young People

Estimating how many sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases occur is not a simple task. First, most STIs can be “silent,” with no noticeable symptoms. These asymptomatic infections can be diagnosed only through testing. Unfortunately, routine screening programs are not widespread, and social stigma and lack of public awareness gets in the way of discussions between healthcare providers and patients about STI risk and the need for testing. Even from estimates, however, what is clear from the statistics about STIs in the U.S. is that young people bear a large portion of the STI burden. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Half of all STIs occur in people 25 years of age or younger.
  • One in four new STI cases occur in teenagers.
  • Young people (age 15-24) have five times the reported rate of chlamydia of the total population, four times the rate of gonorrhea and three times the rate of syphilis.
  • In 2006, an estimated 5,259 young people aged 13-24 in the 33 states reporting to CDC were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, representing about 14% of the persons diagnosed that year.

Young people account for a substantial proportion of new STIs. Americans ages 15 to 24 account for 70% of the 820,000 gonorrhea infections among all ages; 63% of the 2.9 million chlamydia infections among all ages; 49% of the 14.1 million HPV infections among all ages; 45% of the 776,000 genital herpes infections among all ages; and 20% of the 55,400 syphilis infections among all ages. Finally, Americans ages 13 to 24 account for 26% of the 47,500 HIV infections among all ages.

A range of unique factors place youth at risk for infection. Many young women don’t receive the chlamydia screening CDC recommends. Many youth are reluctant to disclose risk behaviors to doctors. Young women’s bodies are biologically more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections. Youth often lack insurance or transportation needed to access prevention services. And many young people have multiple partners which increases STI risk.

Get Tested

The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested. Enter your zip code in the box below to find a testing site near you.