ST. PAUL, MN (KDAL) – A new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shows that sexually transmitted infections (STI) dropped by 3 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Health officials say even with the slight decrease, the high numbers mean that STIs are still a significant issue in the state.
Despite total cases dropping, there was a 24 percent increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections, the largest number in more than a decade.
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, the medical director at the MDH, says STIs and HIV are preventable and urges those who are sexually active to reduce the risk with prevention steps, testing and treatment.
The most reported STI in the state is Chlamydia with 21,767 cases and teens and young adults accounting for 59 percent of them. Gonorrhea was the second most reported STI in Minnesota followed by syphilis.
MDH partners with local public health and community based programs to provide STI and HIV services and prevention resources throughout the state. Get more information by calling the STI hotline 1-800-783-2287.
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