Report: Blacks Hit by STDs More Than Whites

The infection rate for sexually transmitted diseases among African Americans and Hispanics, particularly young people, continues to be greater than that of whites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual report.

Overall, sexually transmitted diseases continue to plague the population, with 19 million new infections occurring every year–costing the U.S. health care system $17 billion annually, according to a report released today that tracks the three reportable diseases chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

{snip}

The stark results from 2010 data are as follows: While blacks represent just 14 percent of the population, they account for 35 percent of all reported chlamydia cases, nearly half of syphilis cases (48 percent) and almost three-quarters (69 percent) of gonorrhea cases.

Further, the syphilis rate among young black men has increased dramatically in recent years (134 percent since 2006). Other CDC data suggest that this rise is likely driven by increases among young black gay and bisexual men, the report says. {snip}

{snip}