Philly has highest STI rates in the country – improving sex ed in schools and access to at-home testing could lower rates

Rates of syphilis and gonorrhea have risen significantly among Philadelphians age 15-24 over the past five years. Dusan Stankovic/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images

Philadelphia ranks No. 1 among U.S. cities for new sexually transmitted infections – STIs – according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This is up from fifth place in 2023 and puts Philadelphia ahead of four cities that previously rated higher: Memphis, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans and St. Louis.