"STD Hotspots: CDC Identifies States with Highest Disease Rates"

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), residents in Mississippi and Louisiana face the highest risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. Mississippi has the highest incidence of STDs, with one disease for every 79 people, and is one of five states where STD rates exceed 1,000 cases per 100,000 persons. Louisiana follows closely behind. The data highlights the ongoing epidemic of STDs in the country, with every state experiencing a spike in cases of syphilis and gonorrhea between 2017 and 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted STD surveillance, but overall rates continued to increase. Lack of access to healthcare, limited sex education, and asymptomatic cases contribute to the spread of STDs.