These are the states where you are most at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection

Some countries have a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases – where is your home country located?

New data from Universal Drugstore revealed STD hotspots across the country, according to the company’s “Sexual Health Index.”

Mississippi, for one, was ranked “most affected” by sexually transmitted infections, with one of the highest rates of chlamydia in the country at 700 cases per 100,000 people.

The southern state, which was assigned a score of 9.64 out of 10, also had the lowest HPV vaccination rate, coming in at 38.5% – over 20% lower than the national average.

Behind it was the northern state of Alaska, which was given a score of 8.47. While the low number of STI cases is misleading, the small population makes its rates” one of the most affected.

In Alaska, the gonorrhea infection rate is 251.1 per 100,000 people, while chlamydia rates are 700.9 per 100,000 residents.

In third place is North Carolina, with a score of 8.37 and a chlamydia infection rate of nearly 608 per 100,000 people, followed by Alabama in fourth, Arkansas in fifth and Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Nevada and Florida rounding out the top 10. .

HIV, the incurable virus that can lead to AIDS if left untreated, is the most prevalent in Georgia, with 23.1 cases per 100,000 residents, a figure that is more than double the national average. On the other hand, Minnesota has the fewest HIV cases, with only 4.5 per 100,000 people.

However, HIV infections have increased the most in Arkansas, which saw a 66.7% increase in cases since 2018.

For reference, according to Universal Drugstore, the US as a whole saw a 13.5% drop in HIV cases between 2018 and 2020.

The prescription company also broke down infection rates by age group, finding that people aged 20 to 24 accounted for the majority of chlamydia cases, with 542,040 infections reported.

The same age group also had the highest reported number of gonorrhea infection, which was reported to be 142,526 cases.

Dr. Jamie Winn, medical director at Universal Drugstore, believes comprehensive sex education is key to informing young people about the dangers of STIs – and how to prevent them – given the “rampant rates of STIs across the country”.

“While it’s true that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent teen pregnancy and STIs, teens are extremely experimental, so it’s reckless to think that this form of sex education alone will make a positive difference.” ,” Winn said in one. statement.

“Having access to a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum gives students the information they need to be confident if they choose to explore, helping both personal development and mental well-being.”