2 Kentucky cities among US metros with highest STD rates, study says. See full list
Two Kentucky metro areas number among the top 100 in the country with the highest sexually transmitted disease infection rates, according to a recently released study.
The Lexington metro area falls within the top 25.
A study by Innerbody, a healthcare research group made up of scientists and medical professionals, used data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November to compile the list.
As the report notes, the South remains “relatively fraught with high STI rates.”
“The U.S. South — a region that is home to roughly 39% of the population — accounts for over 60% of the top 25 metropolitan areas with the highest STI rates in this year’s study,” the study states.
Lexington ranked 24th on the list of metropolitan areas in the U.S., while Louisville took the 59th spot. When considering the Lexington metro, Innerbody’s analysis included Clark, Jessamine, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties in addition to Fayette County.
At No. 24 in the U.S., Lexington had a rate of 1,169 STI cases per 100,000 people, the Innerbody study reported. That included:
2,919 chlamydia cases
109 HIV cases
223 syphilis cases
1,622 gonorrhea cases
At No. 59 in the country, Louisville had a reported rate of 819 STI cases per 100,000 people. The Innerbody study found those included:
7,62 chlamydia cases
3,328 gonorrhea cases
313 syphilis cases
216 HIV cases
This 2023 data comes from the CDC’s National Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections surveillance. According to the CDC, it includes “the latest data on trends for three nationally notifiable sexually transmitted infections.”
“All of the STI data found in our report — including case statistics for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia — are from the CDC’s latest data release,” the Innerbody study states. “Syphilis data includes only primary and secondary syphilis cases and does not include congenital and early latent syphilis cases. HIV cases are not reported in some cities. Statistics for other relatively common STIs, such as herpes, are not collected by the CDC at this time and hence are left out of our analysis.”
Innerbody’s findings come at a time when the National Institutes of Health has eliminated dozens of HIV-related research grants at the direction of President Donald Trump. Several researchers have said the cuts end hopes of stopping HIV transmission in the U.S. and around the world, with one calling them a “bloodbath,” as reported by CNN.
Key takeaways from the study on STIs
In its eighth annual study of STD infection rates, Innerbody found:
- Detroit had the highest overall STI rate, overtaking Philadelphia, which moved to the No. 2 spot. Provo, Utah, came in 100th for the second year in a row. Previously, it was 99th.
- The South continues to struggle with high infection rates in its metro areas, though there is some slight improvement. Overall, the South is home to roughly 39% of the U.S. population, but it accounts for 60% of the top 25 metropolitan areas with the highest STI rates, per Innerbody.
- Infection rates remain close to their historic highs over the past 20 years, but according to Innerbody, there was a slight decline in the overall infection rate of 2%. Still, the national STI rate remains 90% higher than it was in 2004. In another example, what seems like a small increase in syphilis infections still amounts to the highest levels of syphilis in the country since 1950. In Kentucky, public health experts have observed an alarming rise in congenital syphilis in recent years.
- Sexually active young people, as well as gay and bisexual men, are among the most at risk for sexually transmitted infections. There are also significant racial disparities in infection rates, which are exacerbated by barriers to health care that disproportionately affect Black and Latino communities. For example, Black people make up 12.6% of the U.S. population, though they experience 32.4% of the cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis, per Innerbody.
These were the metro areas identified as having some of the highest infection rates in the U.S. by Innerbody:
Detroit, Mich.
Philadelphia, Penn.
Montgomery, Ala.
Memphis, Tenn.
Baltimore, Md.
New Orleans, La.
Washington, D.C.
St. Louis, Mo.
Baton Rouge, La.
San Francisco, Calif.
Where to find STI testing and treatment in Lexington
Victoria Rusk, a spokesperson for the Lexington Fayette County Health Department, said the agency has several efforts targeted at promoting sexual health.
“The LFCHD Health Equity education team provides monthly outreach to Fayette County businesses and organizations to provide free condoms, STI education and testing information and public health information,” Rusk told the Herald-Leader in an emailed statement March 27. “In addition, health educators provide routine HIV testing in collaboration with various community partners including local businesses, collegiate groups such as fraternities and sororities, and higher education institutions.”
The health department offers testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis C and HIV. Clinic services are by same-day appointments and can be made by calling 859-288-2483.
In addition, Planned Parenthood’s Lexington Health Center offers STD testing and treatment with appointment booking available online. Walk-ins are also welcome, though you may be subject to a wait.
AVOL Kentucky offers screening for HIV and other STIs, in addition to several other services, such as crisis alleviation, housing support and connection to substance use treatment.
Do you have a question about health in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 5:30 AM.