Biotech
Monday, April 1st, 2024 3:08 pm EDT
Key Points
- Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among people aged 55 and older in the U.S. have more than doubled over a decade, with syphilis cases increasing seven-fold, gonorrhea cases nearly five-fold, and chlamydia cases more than tripling, according to CDC data.
- A presentation warns that both healthcare providers and older adults are ignoring the risks of STIs in this age group, highlighting a lack of attention to sexual health compared to other health topics. Factors contributing to rising STI rates among older adults include longer lifespans, more active lifestyles, and lack of comprehensive sex education during their youth.
- Older adults may lack knowledge about STIs, with doctors often hesitant to discuss sexual activity and older individuals reluctant to broach the topic. Issues such as condom use, multiple sexual partners, and vulnerabilities in older individuals’ immune systems contribute to the increased risk of STIs. Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of discussing safe sex with older patients to ensure they can lead fulfilling lives safely.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise among older adults, with rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis more than doubling in people aged 55 and up over the decade from 2012 to 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This increase is alarming, highlighting a growing health concern that both healthcare providers and older individuals often overlook. Justyna Kowalska, a professor of medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw, emphasizes the lack of attention given to sexual health among older adults compared to other health topics like smoking or diet. This issue extends beyond the United States, with England also witnessing a rise in STI diagnoses among older age groups. Several factors contribute to this trend, including longer lifespans and more active lifestyles in older age, which often include sexual activity. However, lack of comprehensive sex education during their youth leaves many older adults uninformed about STIs and their prevention. Matthew Lee Smith, an associate professor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, notes that healthcare providers may feel uncomfortable discussing sexual activity with older patients, and older adults themselves may be hesitant to broach the topic with peers or family. Moreover, issues such as lack of condom use, multiple sexual partners, and vulnerabilities in older individuals’ immune systems contribute to the increased risk of STIs in this demographic. Addressing this trend requires improved education, communication, and awareness among both healthcare providers and older adults to ensure they can lead fulfilling lives safely.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/28/sexually-transmitted-infection-rates-have-risen-sharply-among-adults-55-and-older-cdc-data-shows.html
