STD Statistics - 2021

Summary

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, STDs remained at near historic high levels. There were 33,706 STD cases reported in 2021 compared to 33,245 cases in 2020, a 1% increase*.

• Chlamydia remained the number one reported STD in the state with 22,578 cases reported, a 3% increase from 21,942 cases in 2020.
  • The majority of cases (53%) occurred in teens and young adults, ages 15 to 24.
  • One out of every three cases occurred in Greater Minnesota, with at least two cases reported in every county.
• Gonorrhea remained the second most reported STD in Minnesota with 9,671 cases reported in 2021, a 5% decrease from 2020.
  • 37% of all gonorrhea cases occurred among 15 to 24 year-olds.
  • Almost three-quarters (73%) of the cases occurred in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
  • There were eight cases of disseminated gonorrhea (DGI) in 2021.
• Syphilis cases increased 33% with 1,457 cases in 2021 compared to 1,093 in 2020.
  • New infections continued to be centered within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and among males, particularly among men who have sex with men.
  • However, the presence of syphilis among females, especially those who are pregnant or of child-bearing age, continues to be a concern.
  • Primary and secondary syphilis cases increased 35% with 564 cases in 2021.
  • 15 cases of congenital syphilis in infants were reported in 2021. This is a 114% increase from 2020, when seven congenital syphilis cases were reported.

*The COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role in the number of cases reported and diagnosed in 2020. Since the pandemic led to disruptions in STD testing and clinical services, more time and data are needed to accurately assess COVID-19's impact on STD data in the United States.

Data Release Webinar

Recording: Annual HIV/STD 2021 Data Release Live Webinar

Annual HIV/STD 2021 Data Release Live Webinar Transcript (PDF)

Annual HIV/STD 2021 Data Release Webinar Q and A (PDF)

This document answers questions asked during the live webinar.

Slides with no audio narration: STD 2021 Data Release (PPT)

Surveillance Report

• STD Surveillance Report, 2021 (PPT)
  A series of graphs, maps and text that describe the STD epidemic in Minnesota over time.

Data Tables

• STD Surveillance Report Data Tables, Minnesota 2021 (PDF)