Sexually transmitted diseases seen among bisexual and gay black men is raising high

While syphilis rates fell 1.6% from 2009 to 2010, the rate among young black men rose 134% since 2006, according to the recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the 19 million people that were diagnosed this year with a sexually transmitted disease, one population has been hit the hardest — young, gay and bisexual black men.

While syphilis rates fell 1.6% from 2009 to 2010, the rate among young black men rose 134% since 2006, according to the recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HIV infections are also spiking within this population.

St. Louis Health Director Pam Walker told CBS News KMOX that of the 400 new cases of gonorrhea and 126 new cases of chlamydia she’s been seeing, 90% are African-Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.

Walker believes online meetups are a serious culprit.

“You don’t have to spend a week in a bar to find somebody you’re comfortable with,” she said, “People are doing it online and they’re doing it faster.”

Across all populations, the rate of chlamydia has steadily increased to 1.3 million cases in 2010.

Researchers believe the rise is due to better screening and more patients being propertly diagnosed.

Blacks and Hispanics are more affected by STDs than whites. This is likely due to social and economic factors — such as low income and lack of access to health care.

Half of sexually transmitted diseases are being spread among the young, according to the CDC.

Young people represent 25% of sexually active people in the U.S. but account for nearly half of new STD cases.

Treating sexually transmitted diseases costs the U.S. $17 billion annually.