Mississippi ranks at the top for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections when compared to other states, and teens and young adults between the ages of 15-29 years remain the leaders in new cases. Both of these diseases can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and increase the likelihood of HIV transmission. MSDH has met its goal to expand chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and treatment throughout the state beyond the federally-funded pilot sites that exist in high morbidity areas, and continues to test and treat individuals from high morbidity areas.
Chlamydia
In 2007, Mississippi reported 21,686 chlamydial infections and ranked #1 nationally in chlamydia. From 1998 through 2007, in Mississippi, the rate of reported chlamydial infection increased from 391.5 to 743.0 cases per 100,000 population.
Gonorrhea
In 2007, Mississippi reported 8,315 cases of gonorrhea. Although Mississippi's case rate has remained above the national average, the rate of reported gonorrhea infection decreased from 390.4 in 1998 to 284.9 cases per 100,000 population in 2007, ranking #1 nationally.
Syphilis
From 2002-2006 Mississippi's rate of reported primary and secondary syphilis was lower than the national average. The rate of reported cases of syphilis increased from 1.7 to 4.5 per 100,000 population, during 2002 through 2007. In 2007, Mississippi reported 133 cases of primary and secondary syphilis, ranking #11 nationally.
HIV
Although Mississippi's HIV disease rate was slightly higher than the national estimated rate (from states with confidential name-based HIV infection) reported in 2007 (21.6 compared to 21.1 nationally), there has been a decline in the rate from 23.1 in 1998 to 21.6 per 100,000 population in 2007.
* Mississippi data is compared to 2007 national surveillance data.
Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, HIV and AIDS have hit African-Americans the hardest. According to data from the CDC, for 34 states during 2007:
- 42% of men living with HIV/AIDS were African-American
- 65% of women living with HIV/AIDS were African-American
During 2007, African-Americans made up 76% of new cases and comprised 73% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Mississippi.
