4 NC counties’ STD rates among highest in US, study says. See the full list

A recent report found that four counties in North Carolina are among the top 50 in the nation for highest sexually transmitted diseases (STD) infection rates.

The report from Invigor Medical, a medical clinic based in Washington, gathered data on the number of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia cases reported in each county.

It found that Cumberland County leads the way in North Carolina for STD infection rates, coming in at No. 19 nationally with 1,591.2 cases reported per 100,000 people.

Durham and Mecklenburg counties closely followed, ranked No. 26 and No. 30, respectively.

North Carolina also came in at No. 7 among states with the highest STD rates, with 925.9 cases reported per 100,000 people.

The study comes months after a similar report from Innerbody, a medical research group, found that Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh have the highest STD infection rates in the state, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Here’s what you need to know.

STD infection rates in NC

Here are the NC counties with the highest STD infection rates, along with the number of cases reported per 100,000 residents, according to Invigor Medical:

• No. 19 Cumberland County: 1,591.2
• No. 26 Durham County: 1,457.6
• No. 30 Mecklenburg County: 1,388.9
• No. 34 Guilford County: 1,329.2
• No. 51 Forsyth County: 1,162.6
• No. 67 Onslow County: 1,047.4
• No. 89 Gaston County: 934.8
• No. 123 Wake County: 803.3
• No. 127 Cabarrus County: 795.8
• No. 163 New Hanover County: 684.9
• No. 175 Johnston County: 666.8
• No. 220 Union County: 539.4
• No. 244 Buncombe County: 473.8

Key takeaways from the study

• STD cases have surged over the past decade, rising from 1.8 million in 2013 to nearly 2.5 million in 2023, with syphilis seeing the most dramatic growth.
• Young women, especially those under 25, face the highest infection rates, primarily due to chlamydia. Rates drop with age across both sexes.
• Black Americans experience infection rates over seven times higher than White Americans, highlighting persistent racial healthcare disparities.
• The South reports the highest STD rates, particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi, while New York and South Dakota are notable regional outliers.
• New England states have the lowest rates, likely due to older populations, higher incomes and better healthcare access.
• CDC data suggests the epidemic may be starting to level off, with recent signs of stabilization or slight decline in major STD rates.

US counties with the highest STD rates

These 10 counties have the highest STD rates in the nation, according to Invigor Medical:

• St. Louis City, Missouri 
• District of Columbia, D.C. 
• Hinds County, Mississippi
• Baltimore City, Maryland
• Orleans Parish, Louisiana
• Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
• Montgomery County, Alabama 
• Norfolk City, Virginia
• Richmond County, Georgia
• Richmond City, Virginia

What to know about STD testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that getting tested for STDs is essential for understanding your health and preventing the spread of infections. Testing gives you the information you need to take protective steps — for yourself and partners.

Talk to your healthcare provider about which STD tests are right for you, and encourage your partner to get tested as well. It’s the only way to be sure you’re both covered, the CDC says.

Many STDs are simple to detect and treat. If one of you tests positive, it’s important that both partners receive treatment at the same time to avoid passing the infection back and forth.

How did Invigor Medical come up with its findings?

Invigor Medical used data from the CDC on chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV to compile the study.

The rankings reflect new cases per 100,000 residents, not total infections, with HIV data limited to those aged 13 and up. Only states and counties with full data and populations over 200,000 were included, with counties grouped by size for comparison.

All CDC data referenced in the report is publicly available online.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.