Columbus’ STI rates are down from last year, but the numbers are still pretty high

Sundi Rose
·3 min read

When it comes to the sexual health Columbus, Georgia, it seems like we may have some work to do keeping the population free of sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Columbus has come down in the rankings from 2023, however we are still in the top 100 cities in America for the most occurrences of STI. While it seems alarming that there is still a significantly high ratio of infections to population it actually has some larger positive implications as health care costs start to rise.

This data is according to a survey conducted by Innerbody, a website meant “to provide objective, science-based information and advice that helps you make health-related decisions and enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle.”

The good news

Columbus is down in the rankings from 27 in 2023, to 91 this year. In 2023, Columbus reported 906 STI cases per hundred thousand people and that has dropped to 527/100 in the most recent findings. Augusta, on the other hand, breaks into the top 25 with 1,060 cases of STIs per 100K and Atlanta reports 977 cases out of 100k, putting them in the number 37 slot.

Here are the occurrence of STI cases in Columbus (all numbers are out of 100K)

  • HIV - 61

  • Chlamydia - 2,364

  • Gonorrhea - 1,114

  • Syphilis - 95

The bad news

The bad news is that Columbus still ranks pretty high in the 100 cites listed in the study. This tracks as numbers have been trending upward since 2022, which is a direct result of many factors such as incarceration rates, the rate of uninsured people and the rising population of seniors in assisted living.

The even worse news is that Columbus is part of a larger regional theme, The South has some of the highest numbers in the country. In fact, 17 out of the top 25 ranked cities are in the South.

The South’s STI rankings

2. Memphis, Tennessee - 1,498 STI cases out of 100k

3. Jackson, Mississippi - 1,490 STI cases out of 100k

4. New Orleans, Louisiana - 1,450 STI cases out of 100k

6. Baton Rouge, Louisiana - 1,332 STI cases out of 100k

7. Montgomery, Alabama - 1,323 STI cases out of 100k

12. Norfolk, Virginia - 1,252 STI cases out of 100k

14. Mobile, Alabama - 1,234 STI cases out of 100k

18. Laredo, Texas - 1,184 STI cases out of 100k

19. San Antonio, Texas - 1,178 STI cases out of 100k

21. Columbia, South Carolina - 1,166 STI cases out of 100k

22. Richmond, Virginia - 1,154 STI cases out of 100k

23. Fort Lauderdale, Florida - 1,100 STI cases out of 100k

24. Lexington, Kentucky - 1,068 STI cases out of 100k

25. Augusta, Georgia - 1,060 STI cases out of 100k

For further information, the CDC offers detailed information about treatment, prevalence and cost estimates for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms, The Mayo Clinic offers advice about common symptoms and when to see a doctor.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you would like to get tested for an STI in Columbus, the Georgia Department of Public Health offers resources for screenings and treatment.

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