Some 2 million Americans -- more than ever before -- had chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis in 2015, the CDC reported Wednesday.
Syphilis cases were up the most, with a 19% increase over the previous year, according to the agency's . The CDC tied the rise of these curable diseases to budget cuts. More than half of state and local STD programs have seen slashed budgets in the past few years. Fewer clinics, the CDC argued, meant less access to testing and treatment.
"STD rates are rising, and many of the country's systems for preventing STDs have eroded. We must mobilize, rebuild, and expand services – or the human and economic burden will continue to grow," said Jonathan Mermin, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.
Homosexual men accounted for 82% of new gonorrhea and syphilis cases where information on the partner was available. Women, too, saw a significant increase of infection, with syphilis diagnoses increasing 27% from 2014 to 2015.