The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights alarming rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Oklahoma, ranking it 11th for chlamydia, 5th for gonorrhea, and 4th for syphilis. Terrainia Harris, the administrative program manager for Oklahoma's Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Service, states that these escalating figures, revealed in the CDC's 2020 STI data, were not surprising. Health officials like Harris believe the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the STI rates due to its adverse impact on healthcare accessibility for patients and providers alike.

Ronneal Mathews, the director of community engagement for Thrive OKC, a nonprofit advocating for reproductive health access, attributes the high rates of STIs to the reduced frequency of in-person healthcare services, routine visits, and screenings during the pandemic. During the pandemic's height, many people, fearful of healthcare facilities, skipped vital screenings. Ellen Niemitalo, the clinical services director for the Tulsa Health Department, emphasizes that these screenings are crucial for controlling STIs as many infections either show delayed symptoms or none at all. She further highlights that chlamydia is particularly problematic due to its high rate of asymptomatic transmission, with 75-85 percent of those infected showing no symptoms.

In addition to these issues, Mathews notes the challenges faced by people seeking care, such as supply and labor shortages in labs, a heavy reliance on telemedicine, and a loss of health insurance due to pandemic-induced unemployment. Even prior to the pandemic, Oklahoma had high STI rates, but the situation has been worsening, particularly with congenital syphilis, which has increased by 657 percent since 2017. Niemitalo points out that the rise in congenital syphilis is concerning due to the potential for serious outcomes in infants, including fetal death, miscarriage, disabilities, congenital malformations, and premature birth. Untreated syphilis in adults can also cause damage to the brain, vision, and various organs.

To combat the rising STI rates, experts emphasize the need for widespread testing and the provision of relevant resources. Harris further points out the need to combat stigma surrounding STIs, which can hinder both patients seeking tests and providers offering them. The high rates of infection are a symptom of broader health issues, asserts Mathews, and must be viewed within the context of overall health. Unfortunately, as long as Oklahoma remains in the bottom five for overall health outcomes and continues to grapple with barriers to medical access, improvement in STI rates remains a challenging prospect.