By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that the sexually transmitted disease rate in Florida is on the rise?
According to recent data, Florida has experienced a surge in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Here are some key findings:
- Combined rate of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis: The rate has risen 42% over the past decade, with a significant rebound in just two years, reaching 762 cases per 100,000 residents in 2022, the most recent data available.
- Hillsborough County: Specifically, Hillsborough County reported 932 cases of bacterial STDs per 100,000 residents in 2022, the most recent data available, which is the highest rate in the state.
- Congenital syphilis: Florida ranks 14th on the CDC’s national list for congenital syphilis, highlighting the growing concern for maternal and infant health.
- Syphilis: According to EPIC Sexual Health Center, syphilis has been on the rise, with all STDs remaining prevalent.
The pandemic did what public health officials have struggled in the past to do, put a dent in the number of reported cases of STD’s, but since the pandemic ended, there has been a sharp increase in the number of Floridians contracting chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis according to the Florida Department of Health.