Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates in Florida have surged by 42% over the past decade, surpassing levels from before the pandemic and reaching their highest point since 1990, according to Health News Florida. A leading expert in epidemiology at the University of South Florida College of Public Health attributes the rise to factors such as reduced condom use, the popularity of online dating platforms, and illicit drug use. However, it’s also possible that advancements in medicine have made it easier to detect STIs, leading to more screenings and higher reported numbers. One significant contributor to the rising numbers overall is the rise in reported congenital syphilis cases passing from mother to newborn. In 2022, Florida ranked 14th nationally for congenital syphilis rates with 127.6 cases per 100,000 live births, according to the news report.
Ripple effects: Higher STI cases also means higher demand for treatment. Read more about congenital syphilis from the JUCM archive: Dramatic Rise In Syphilis Cases Contribute To Penicillin Shortage
Read More on STIs
- CDC Offers Detailed Recommendations On Syphilis Lab Testing
- STD Rates Increase 6% In 1 Year
- STDs: Assessment And Treatment In Urgent Care
- Syphilis In The Urgent Care Center