When it comes to STDs for older Americans, California is among the worst, study says

As sexually transmitted diseases continue to rise in the U.S., the rate of infection for older people has also climbed.

Across the country, adults 55 and older account for 24.5 out of 100,000 people infected by chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis — the lowest out of the age groups recorded, according to a study by TheSeniorList.

However, older adults have seen an increase of more than 100% in STD rates in the last five years, jumping from 11.8 per 100,000 people in 2014.

The study ranked states according to STD rate per 100,000 people for adults 55 and older. Washington, D.C., has the highest STD rate in the country, with 881.8 out of 100,000 infected, followed by New York, Maryland, Florida and New Jersey.

California also has one of the highest STD rates for older adults in the country, according to the study. The STD rate was 134.1 out of 100,000 people.

States with the lowest STD rates out of 100,000 people were North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Idaho.

Several factors may contribute to the rise in STDs among older people. A study by Indiana University found that adults 60 and older reported using condoms the least out of any group.

Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia were at an all-time high in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.

This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 2:48 PM.