CDC: 1.4 Million Cases of Chlamydia in 2014 ‘Highest Number of Annual Cases Of Any Condition Ever Reported’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2014 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Surveillance shows dramatic increases in the number of Americans infected, including a record number who are infected with chlamydia.

"The approximately 1.4 million cases of chlamydia represent the highest number of annual cases of any condition ever reported to CDC,” a fact sheet for the report stated.

“Substantial increases were also seen among reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis,” the fact sheet stated. “While young people and women are most severely affected by STDs, increasing rates among men contributed to the overall increase in 2014 across all diseases.”

The report stated that the rates of reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea are highest among young people aged 15-24, with young women having the greatest long-term health consequences.

“It is estimated that undiagnosed STDs cause more than 20,000 women to become infertile each year,” the report said.

The fact sheet stated that the health care costs associated with the nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur every year represent nearly $16 billion in health care costs.

“The data are based on state and local STD case reports from a variety of private and public sources,” the fact sheet stated. “They indicate that the majority of cases are reported in non-STD clinic settings, such as private physician offices and health maintenance organizations.” CNS