In 2023, over 2.4 million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were reported in the United States. However, there are signs that the epidemic might be slowing down:
Gonorrhea cases dropped for the second consecutive year, falling 7% from 2022 and dipping below pre-pandemic levels.
The rise in overall syphilis cases slowed significantly, increasing by just 1% after years of double-digit growth.
For the first time in over two decades, primary and secondary syphilis cases declined, dropping 10% since 2022. Among gay and bisexual men, cases fell by 13%—the first decrease reported since the CDC began tracking national trends in this group in the mid-2000s.
Congenital syphilis cases, while still rising, showed a slower increase of 3% nationally, compared to the 30% annual spikes seen in previous years.
Although these trends are promising, the number of reportable STIs remains unacceptably high, and significant disparities in infection rates persist.