United States: According to the latest data from America’s Health Rankings (AHR), STDs are becoming increasingly prevalent among North Carolinians.
The report highlights North Carolina as the most impacted state concerning sexual behaviors.
Concerns About HIV Risky Behavior
It’s worth noting that risky behaviors related to HIV scored the lowest. The state ranked 48th, with approximately 7.3 percent of adults engaging in risky behavior, compared to the national average of 5.7 percent.
Dr. Jenna Beckham from WakeMed Raleigh OB/GYN commented that the recent data isn’t surprising, given North Carolina’s history of high rates of HIV and other STIs. She remarked, “This newest data isn’t all that new in terms of the trends that we have seen in our statewide data and also in patients that I care for.”
Beckham pointed out that while other states experienced a decline in cases during the pandemic, North Carolina’s decline was minimal.
She stated, “We’ve definitely seen continued increases in a lot of our sexually transmitted infections in North Carolina. Some have gone down very slightly over the most recent years, but overall, we’re not really moving in a downward direction.”
High Incidence Among LGBTQ+ Community and Youth
Beckham highlighted that a significant number of her patients are from the LGBTQ+ community, with higher rates of HIV cases among them.
She noted, “Others like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, don’t seem to as significantly adversely impact that patient population.”
Additionally, Beckham noted that a large proportion of cases were among young people, with concerns raised about lower HPV vaccination rates compared to the national average.
Contributing Factors to Rising STIs
Beckham attributed the increase in STIs to factors such as lack of sexual education and stigmas surrounding sexual health. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness, particularly in schools, where sexual education is often limited or absent.
She also mentioned cultural and societal influences, particularly in the South, where conservative beliefs and religious policies may inhibit discussions about sexual health within families.
Beckham stressed the need for targeted efforts in rural areas where access to healthcare and sexual education resources may be limited.