Southern States Lead U.S. in Rising STD Rates

A new analysis by Invigor Medical, based on CDC data, shows that North Carolina and South Carolina are among the top ten U.S. states for STD infection rates, ranking seventh and eighth, respectively. Mecklenburg County, NC, ranks fifth, and Richland County, SC, ranks twenty-first among large counties nationwide for STD prevalence. The report highlights that chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common infections, with case numbers peaking during the summer due to increased travel and social activity. Nationally, STD cases have risen sharply from 1.8 million in 2013 to about 2.5 million in 2023, with the South disproportionately affected. Contributing factors include persistent gaps in healthcare access, limited sexual health education, and structural barriers to screening and treatment. Texas also reports high STD rates, with Dallas County among the leading large counties, driven by similar socioeconomic and healthcare access issues.