Sexually Transmitted Infections on the Rise in Minnesota

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health released the latest report on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Minnesota. The report shows that STIs have increased by 10% overall since 2011. Chlamydia rates have increased by 7%, gonorrhea incidences increased by 35%, and syphilis decreased by 15%.

This report is proof that there is much work left to be done. STI rates across Minnesota are still far too high.  It’s especially concerning to see that rates of Chlamydia continue to rise and are highest among women, adolescents and African Americans. 

Sadly, Minnesota’s rising rates of STIs are reflective of what’s happening across the country. One in two people young people in the U.S. contracts a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by the time they’re 25 — and most don’t know it.

We see the toll STIs take on our communities across the state every day. More than 94% of Planned Parenthood’s 67,000 patients are women. This population - female patients aged 26 and younger - are at the greatest risk. We’re especially concerned because many people don’t experience symptoms and, if an STI goes untreated it can cause permanent damage.  For example, women infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia and go untreated are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain and even infertility.

Planned Parenthood’s expert clinicians administer more than 60,000 STI tests annually, including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV at low or no-cost.  We also provide health education to more than 32,000 youth and adults throughout Minnesota and North Dakota with a focus on reducing STIs, HIV and unintended pregnancies.

Every young person in the state deserves access to health care services and sexual health education that can help them prevent STIs and stay healthy. We need a robust community response in order to curb STI rates in the state – and Planned Parenthood is committed to being a part of the solution to this problem. The health and future fertility of young Minnesotans depends on it.

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For more than 80 years, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota has worked in our region to make sure all people have the information and the means to make free and responsible decisions about whether and when to have children.  Planned Parenthood operates 20 clinics in Minnesota and South Dakota and an Online Health Center, providing quality and affordable family planning, reproductive health care services and education to nearly 67,000  women and men each year.

Visit us on the web at www.ppmns.org