Why Are STD Rates Increasing During COVID? A Primer
As the coronavirus pandemic begins to dwindle in some (but not all) parts of the United States, we may see a rise in yet another epidemic: sexually transmitted infections. In fact, sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for several years now. According to David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, 2019 "was the sixth consecutive year of the highest STI numbers in American history.” This is particularly concerning because not even two decades ago, the CDC reports that syphilis was near extinction and rates of gonorrhea were at an all-time low.
Prior to the pandemic, STI rates were increasing for several reasons. One reason is that condom use has been on the decline. While 62% of sexually active high school students reported using a condom in their most recent sexual encounter in 2007, that percentage declined to 54% in 2017 and remained stagnant ever since. A survey by Lisa Wade, an associate professor of sociology at Tulane University, found that the coronavirus pandemic has unfortunately not increased students’ willingness to use protection during sex. “Young people (ages 15-24) share a disproportionate burden and accounted for over half of reported STD cases in 2019,” David Harvey tells The Seam.
The CDC also attributes the rise in STIs to drug use and poverty, both of which have increased even further since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet another culprit are the widespread budget cuts for STI-related health programs, which have led to clinic closures as well as reduced screening and treatment. The coronavirus pandemic has clearly amplified this problem in the past year and a half. In the beginning of the pandemic, many STI testing sites closed their doors, and as of early 2021, 37% of STI program staff remained deployed to assist with efforts against the coronavirus pandemic. When STI testing sites reopened, many Americans still forewent testing and treatment due to fear of contracting the coronavirus.
All of this is especially concerning because untreated STIs can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, and can increase the likelihood of HIV infection. Among pregnant women, untreated STIs can lead to serious complications and even infant mortality.
The good news is that there are steps we can take to prevent and treat STIs. More funding should be directed towards STI prevention and treatment. In addition, more states should implement comprehensive sex education, which has been proven to reduce rates of risky sexual behavior and STIs. "Comprehensive and inclusive sex education in schools and investment in STD prevention for young people are needed now more than ever," says Harvey.
Social media campaigns have also shown promise in promoting testing and reducing risky sexual behaviors. Harvey notes that self-collection testing combined with telemedicine could also serve as a promising tool against STIs. "The unprecedented emergency of the pandemic enabled the rise of innovative and creative approaches to reaching people for sexual health services and will undoubtedly continue to be used moving forward,” he says.
Hope is on the horizon as more innovative methods are devised to prevent STIs. We already have vaccines to prevent HPV, and more vaccines are in the works to prevent other STIs such as gonorrhea and herpes. Moderna is working on developing an HIV vaccine using the mRNA technology that has been so successful against COVID-19.
There are also a variety of ways that STIs can be prevented on an individual level. Protecting yourself against STIs is particularly important as many experts predict a repetition of the roaring 20s as people emerge from the worst of the pandemic. Since people are still not getting tested for STIs at the rate they were prior to the pandemic, the inevitable increase of casual sex will not paint a pretty picture when it is paired with undiagnosed and untreated STIs. “The potential long-term consequences of untreated STDs could be severe – but this is preventable,” Harvey notes.
While abstinence is undeniably the most effective way to protect against STIs, condoms and dental dams are helpful for people who choose to engage in vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Anyone who is sexually active should also get tested for STIs at least once a year. This is especially the case for women, men who have sex with men, and anyone who has unprotected sex or shares injection drug equipment.
It is important for you and your sexual partners to be honest with one another about whether you are sexually active with other people, as this could influence your and their risk of STIs. Open communication with your health care provider is also a must for people who want to reduce their risk of STIs, as your health care provider is the person who is most knowledgeable about your personal health history and needs, and could offer personalized advice on that basis.
Jenna Demmer is a Certified Health Education Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health Education. She aims to use the power of the written word to improve the well-being of as many people as possible.