Neighbor News
STIs Still Affect Millions
New data show progress, but infections remain widespread and preventable in New Jersey
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are starting to decline across the country, but millions of cases are still reported each year, and overall numbers are still higher than they were 10 years ago.
More than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In New Jersey, STIs continue to affect thousands of residents each year. CDC and New Jersey Department of Health data show the state reports more than 35,000 cases of chlamydia and over 10,000 cases of gonorrhea each year, along with hundreds of syphilis cases.
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Young people and communities facing barriers to healthcare access are most affected. Nearly half of all STI cases occur among people ages 15 to 24.
Many STIs do not cause symptoms, so people may pass them to others without knowing. Left untreated, STIs can lead to serious health problems and increase the risk of HIV.
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Health officials encourage people in New Jersey to take steps to reduce their risk:
- Get tested regularly, especially if you have new or multiple partners
- Use condoms and barrier protection every time you have sex
- Know your status and your partner’s status
- Limit overlapping sexual partners to reduce your risk
- Get vaccinated for HPV and hepatitis B
- Get tested and treated quickly if you may have been exposed or have symptoms
- Talk to a healthcare provider about prevention options that may be right for you, including PrEP for HIV and, for some people, doxycycline after sex (Doxy-PEP) to reduce certain bacterial STIs.
PrEP is very effective for preventing HIV, but it does not protect against other STIs. Testing, condom use, and open communication are still essential.
The New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline offers free, confidential information and support 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Healthcare professionals can answer questions about HIV and STIs, provide prevention and treatment information, and connect callers to free or low-cost sexual health services across New Jersey.
Call 1-800-624-2377 or chat online.
