HIV & Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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Did You Know? is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!
View the Current Did You Know?
September 22, 2017
- CDC’s new video about the history of drug-resistant gonorrhea underscores the threat of this common infection becoming untreatable.
- Recent CDC data and other concerning developments suggest that gonorrhea might be beginning to outsmart the last recommended treatment.
- To help protect our last available treatment option for as long as possible, healthcare providers should always follow CDC’s screening recommendations and STD treatment guidelines.
August 4, 2017
- Syphilis rates are increasing across many US communities [PDF-2.8MB]—and even among newborn babies.
- Syphilis is easy to treat and cure with the right medication but can have serious complications [PDF-996KB] if left untreated.
- CDC’s new whiteboard video for healthcare providers highlights syphilis trends, describes key testing recommendations for at-risk groups, and discusses three steps providers can take to protect their patients―talk, test, and treat.
June 30, 2017
- According to data available on AtlasPlus, more than 1,520,000 cases of chlamydia, nearly 400,000 cases of gonorrhea, and nearly 24,000 cases of syphilis were reported to CDC in 2015.
- The updated AtlasPlus provides easy access to the latest national, state, and county data on HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis.
- Use the AtlasPlus online tool to create charts, tables, and maps; look at trends; and see community-specific tools.
January 27, 2017
- CDC’s newly released Winnable Battles final report shows meaningful improvements in key public health areas.
- Since 2009, rates of teen births and youth and adult smoking have declined significantly, and between 2008 and 2014, central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals decreased by 50%.
- A color-coded dashboard shows where more work is needed, especially in obesity, foodborne illness, and motor vehicle injuries.
December 2, 2016
- About 1 in 10 [PDF-2.4MB] HIV diagnoses are among people who inject drugs.
- According to the latest Vital Signs, in 22 US cities, only about 25% of people who inject drugs get all their syringes from sterile sources like syringe services programs.
- Health departments can work with law enforcement and local leaders to expand access to syringe services programs, where permitted by law.
December 4, 2015
- Preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily pill that can greatly lower one’s risk of getting HIV from having sex or injecting drugs.
- PrEP is recommended for people at very high risk for getting HIV: 1 in 4 sexually active gay and bisexual men, 1 in 5 persons who inject drugs, and 1 in 200 heterosexually active adults.
- Health departments and community-based organizations can raise awareness about PrEP, train healthcare providers, and develop policies and procedures to increase access to PrEP.
October 23, 2015
- Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections [PDF-1.6MB] occur each year in the US, accounting for almost $16 billion in healthcare costs.
- CDC’s updated Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines—which include a new alternate treatment option for gonorrhea—are now available to help healthcare providers diagnose and treat STDs.
- Providers can find CDC resources such as pocket guides [PDF-319KB], wall charts [PDF-218KB], and an app to help them use the updated treatment guidelines.
December 5, 2014
- Of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, only 40% are in medical care and only 30% are virally suppressed, according to the latest Vital Signs.
- HIV medicines help people achieve viral suppression, which means having very low levels of HIV in the body even though the virus is still there.
- CDC has information and interventions for healthcare providers to help keep people living with HIV in medical care.
November 14, 2014
- Only about 1 in 4 people living with HIV currently have their virus under control.
- Treatment helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and keeps HIV from spreading to others.
- The HIV Treatment Works campaign encourages people living with HIV to get in care, take HIV medications, stay in care, and adhere to treatment.
June 20, 2014
- Since 2001, more than 150,000 patients in the US have been potentially exposed to hepatitis and HIV because of unsafe injection practices.
- Healthcare providers should not administer medication from a single-dose vial or IV bag to more than one patient, and patients should ask questions to protect themselves.
- Health departments can promote safe injection practices with this free healthcare provider toolkit.
November 22, 2013
- CDC’s Winnable Battles Progress Report, 2010–2015 [PDF-785KB] describes the progress being made in addressing these critical public health challenges.
- CDC and partners are on track to decrease teen birth rates by 20% [PDF-420KB], reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities by 31% [PDF-453KB], and reduce certain healthcare-associated infections in hospitals by 60% [PDF-178KB] by the 2015 target date.
- Identifying and focusing on Winnable Battles has helped promote progress. CDC will continue to work closely with partners at the national, state, and local levels to achieve Winnable Battle targets.
September 13, 2013
- The latest estimates [PDF-1.6MB] show there are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US each year, costing the health-care system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs.
- About 20 million [PDF-1.6MB] new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur in the United States each year. Left untreated, some STDs can cause severe health consequences.
- CDC recently released an STD Treatment Guidelines mobile app, which helps healthcare providers access diagnostic information and the current STD treatment guidelines.
- Healthcare providers can download the free app on an Apple or Android device.
March 29, 2013
- The latest estimates [PDF-1.6MB] show there are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US each year, costing the health-care system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs.
- Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) accounts for the majority of prevalent STIs in the United States. Genital herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV are other viral STIs; together they account for nearly one-quarter of all prevalent STIs.
- CDC’s fact sheets are useful tools for sharing STI prevention messages and are available for syndication on partners’ websites.
November 30, 2012
- One in four of all new HIV infections occur among youth ages 13‒24 years, yet 60 percent of youth with HIV are unaware they are infected.
- HIV testing, especially for youth at risk, helps prevent the spread of HIV and save lives.
- Many effective interventions have been shown to reduce risky behaviors among youth.
August 24, 2012
- CDC just updated the NCHHSTP Atlas with viral hepatitis and TB surveillance data.
- You can create interactive maps and charts, and view data trends over time and location for HIV, AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, viral hepatitis, and TB.
- You can also download the Atlas buttons for your websites and view a video tutorial on key features.
August 17, 2012
- CDC recently revised its gonorrhea treatment guidelines because the oral antibiotic cefixime is becoming less effective in treating this sexually transmitted disease.
- Gonorrhea affects over 700,000 people annually and can lead to life-threatening ectopic pregnancy and infertility—caused by pelvic inflammatory disease—and increase the likelihood of HIV transmission.
- There are important steps [PDF-214KB] state and local health departments and others can take to address the potential threat of drug-resistant gonorrhea.
July 27, 2012
- Today the HIV epidemic is far less visible, even though 1.1 million Americans live with HIV and approximately 50,000 more become infected each year.
- Fear, discrimination, and complacency continue to hamper progress against HIV, even though most Americans understand how the disease is transmitted.
- By promoting the Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, you can help the public get the facts, get tested, and get involved [PDF – 1.1MB].
June 22, 2012
- Currently, 34 million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS—more than two-thirds of them in developing countries.
- Three key interventions have drastically reduced new HIV infections, putting us on the path to an AIDS-free generation.
- You can support the fight against global HIV/AIDS by raising awareness using social media tools.
May 11, 2012
- Up to 75% of the 4.4 million Americans with chronic viral hepatitis don’t know they are infected.
- CDC now offers a five-minute online Hepatitis Risk Assessment that provides tailored testing and vaccination recommendations.
- May 19th is the first ever National Hepatitis Testing Day; check to see if there are any events planned in your community.
January 20, 2012
- CDC released new guidelines to keep HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and tuberculosis data safe, secure, and confidential.
- Ensuring common standards for data security and confidentiality allows programs to use and share data more effectively, which can improve the delivery of prevention and care services.
- You can find more information on how program collaboration and service integration is being implemented in six state and local jurisdictions.
December 2, 2011
- 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV; 1 in 5 don’t know it.
- There is new hope for stopping HIV: HIV care and medicines help keep people with HIV healthy and can prevent HIV transmission to others.
- We have more proven prevention tools than ever to help stop the spread of HIV; however, continued and intensified efforts are needed.
June 24, 2011
- CDC-supported health departments provided 2.8 million HIV tests in 25 hard-hit areas across the nation in just three years.
- More than 18,000 Americans living with HIV learned their HIV status for the first time due to these expanded HIV testing efforts.
- National HIV Testing Day is Monday, June 27; find out what you can do to promote HIV testing.
May 20, 2011
- 4.4 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, both leading causes of primary liver cancer.
- Many Americans living with chronic hepatitis infections don’t know they’re infected; increased screening and earlier detection can save lives.
- HHS recently released the Combating the Silent Epidemic: Action Plan for Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.
December 17, 2010
- What happens every 9½ minutes in the United States?
- CDC released new STD treatment guidelines on December 17, 2010.
- The Guide to Community Preventive Services has evidence-based comprehensive risk reduction interventions for adolescents to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy, HIV and other STDs.
December 10, 2010
- OSTLTS launched their 1st Vital Signs Webinar on HIV on December 6, 2010.
- The Guide to Community Preventive Services has evidence-based recommendations for reducing sexual risk behaviors in adolescents .
- CDC hosted a Grand Rounds: Targeted Paths to HIV Prevention on December 16, 2010.
Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.
- Page last reviewed: October 12, 2016
- Page last updated: September 22, 2017
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