Women’s Sexual Health
Sexually Transmitted Infections
In the U.S., 1 in 5 people has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2018 alone, 26 million new STI diagnoses were made, almost half of which occurred in youth aged 15-24. These new infections are estimated to ultimately cost the U.S. healthcare system nearly $16B in healthcare costs.1
Combating rising STI rates
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the first-ever national strategic plan to address this dramatic rise in STI in the U.S. According the HHS, the five goals of the strategic plan include preventing STIs, reducing adverse outcomes of STIs, accelerating progress in STI research and innovation, improving STI-related health equity, and achieving coordinated efforts to combat the STI epidemic.2
With unparalleled diagnostic and drug development capabilities, Labcorp is uniquely positioned to help combat rising STI rates in alignment with this national strategic plan.
Learn more about diagnosing common STIs.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
The newly released “Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates for a new approach to screening for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by introducing the concept of opt-out testing.
Per the updated CDC guidelines, opt-out chlamydia and gonorrhea screening among young and adolescent females can increase screening, save on costs and ultimately identify more infections among patients who may not be comfortable disclosing sexual behavior.4
Hepatitis B
Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, the rate of acute hepatitis B (HBV) cases increased 11% from 2014 (0.9 per 100,000) to 2018 (1.0 per 100,000). The rate of infection increased even more dramatically in states most affected by the opioid crisis.
Hepatitis C
New cases of hepatitis C are on the rise, particularly among reproductive age adults. Rates of new HCV infections increased by more than 60% from 2015 to 2019. And in 2019, more than 63% of HCV infections occurred among adults 20-39 years of age.
HIV
Nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S. have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and nearly 13% of them don’t know it. Further and more testing is paramount in the continuing fight against this life-threatening illness. To complicate matters, certain populations—among racial, ethnic and sexuality demographics—are disproportionately affected by the disease.
HPV
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, as well as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Fortunately, cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected early and managed effectively.
Syphilis
The national rate of primary and secondary syphilis has increased almost every year since 2001. In 2021, 53,767 cases of syphilis were reported, reflecting a 28.6% increase from 2020 to 2021.3
Congenital syphilis has similarly increased in prevalence. CDC data showed 2,855 cases of newborn syphilis in 2021 representing a 30.5% increase relative to 2020 and 219.3% increase relative to 2017. Further, in 2012, only three states had over 100 cases of primary and secondary syphilis among women aged 15-44 years; in 2021, 29 states reported over 100 cases.3
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
The newly released “Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates for a new approach to screening for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by introducing the concept of opt-out testing.
Per the updated CDC guidelines, opt-out chlamydia and gonorrhea screening among young and adolescent females can increase screening, save on costs and ultimately identify more infections among patients who may not be comfortable disclosing sexual behavior.4
Hepatitis B
Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, the rate of acute hepatitis B (HBV) cases increased 11% from 2014 (0.9 per 100,000) to 2018 (1.0 per 100,000). The rate of infection increased even more dramatically in states most affected by the opioid crisis.
Hepatitis C
New cases of hepatitis C are on the rise, particularly among reproductive age adults. Rates of new HCV infections increased by more than 60% from 2015 to 2019. And in 2019, more than 63% of HCV infections occurred among adults 20-39 years of age.
HIV
Nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S. have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and nearly 13% of them don’t know it. Further and more testing is paramount in the continuing fight against this life-threatening illness. To complicate matters, certain populations—among racial, ethnic and sexuality demographics—are disproportionately affected by the disease.
HPV
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, as well as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Fortunately, cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected early and managed effectively.
Syphilis
The national rate of primary and secondary syphilis has increased almost every year since 2001. In 2021, 53,767 cases of syphilis were reported, reflecting a 28.6% increase from 2020 to 2021.3
Congenital syphilis has similarly increased in prevalence. CDC data showed 2,855 cases of newborn syphilis in 2021 representing a 30.5% increase relative to 2020 and 219.3% increase relative to 2017. Further, in 2012, only three states had over 100 cases of primary and secondary syphilis among women aged 15-44 years; in 2021, 29 states reported over 100 cases.3
Resources for your patients
Personalized patient screening checklist
Pap and HPV co-testing patient brochure
Resources for providers
References
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-2020-at-a-glance.htm. Accessed January 5, 2022.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States | 2021–2025. https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/sexually-transmitted-infections/plan-overview/toolkit/index.html. Accessed January 5, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Overview of STDs, 2021. Cdc.gov. Updated April 11, 2023. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2021/overview.htm#Syphilis