Health Status > Adolescents

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Adolescents (ages 15 to 19 years) and young adults (ages 20 to 24 years) are at much higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than are older adults. Within these age groups, reported rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are significantly higher among non-Hispanic Black youth than youth of all other reported racial and ethnic categories. Rates of STIs among Hispanic adolescent and young adults are about twice those of non-Hispanic Whites.
Chlamydia continues to be the most common STI in adolescents and young adults, with a rate of 1,524 cases per 100,000 adolescents and 1,605 per 100,000 young adults. Gonorrhea followed in prevalence with an overall rate of 443 cases per 100,000 adolescents and 529 cases per 100,000 young adults. Syphilis is less common among young people and the population as a whole. In 2003, the rate of syphilis was 1.6 cases per 100,000 adolescents and 4.3 cases per 100,000 young adults. For each of these conditions, rates are slightly higher among 20- to 24-year-olds than among adolescents.
Although these conditions are treatable with antibiotics, STIs can have serious health consequences. Active infections can increase the likelihood of contracting HIV and untreated STIs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women.

> Bar Charts: Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents and Young Adults, by Age and Race/Ethnicity: 2003