Study: Five of 10 most reported diseases in U.S. are STDs

A study by researchers in Atlanta and Seattle published in the November edition of the American Journal of Public Health shows that more than 15 million sexually transmitted diseases are reported to health officials each year in the United States, the highest figure in the developed world and higher than in many developing nations. Of the 10 most frequently reported diseases to health authorities in the United States, five are STDs. Despite these high occurrence rates, STD screening remains surprisingly low in the United States, the researchers report. Only 19% to 25% of men are routinely screened for the most common STDs, including HIV. Screening rates improve only slightly for nonpregnant women--20% to 35% are checked--and for pregnant women, of whom 30% to 32% are regularly screened.