This Mississippi city has the third highest sexually transmitted infection rate in the US

Sundi Rose
·3 min read

The latest data from the CDC reveals a startling trend in the sexual health of Southerners, indicating that almost 40% of the top 100 cities are located in the South. In a study released by Innerbody Research institute, 17 of the top 25 cities with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are in the South.

Although Philadelphia is the top city with the most cases per 100K, Memphis, Tennessee, is a very close second, with Jackson, Mississippi, coming in third.

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. Columbus, 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

With so many Southern states making the top 100, it brings up questions about contributing factors and responsible variables.

Health Equity

The CDC addresses health equity, defining it as “an equal chance to be healthy regardless of their background. This includes a person’s race, ethnicity, income, gender, religion, sexual identity, and disability.” The higher numbers in the Southeast suggest a glaring disparity of health equity here over other regions, and this bears closer examination.

Factors that contribute to health equity include:

  • Socioeconomic status. For those struggling to meet basic needs, sexual health is often deprioritized.

  • Cultural beliefs or shared negative experiences with medical professionals. Many people who populate the South may fear discrimination or face distrust the health care system, discouraging them from seeking medical health

Attitudes around sexual health

The World Health Organization suggests that those seeking screening or treatment for STIs will face many obstacles that often include stigmatization or poor quality of resources.

The populations with the highest rates, like those in the South, “often do not have access to adequate and friendly health services. In many settings, STI services are often neglected and underfunded.”

Other factors affecting the South, specifically

  • Unemployment

  • High instances of addiction

  • Lack of community resources

  • Racial discrimination and health disparities

Advice from the CDC

As a way to help combat the growing numbers of STIs, the CDC suggests a multi-prong approach.

  • Obtain vaccinations when possible

  • Have a routine STI screening

  • Practice safe sexual practices, which can include prophyllactic birth control or mutual monogamy, if applicable.

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 your local Planned Parenthood offers resources for screenings and treatment.

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