Biden health officials to endorse 'morning-after pill' for gays and bisexuals amid record STD 'crisis'

Sexually transmitted infection rates have hit a record high for the eighth year in a row.

STIs disproportionately affect non-straight populations in the United States. For instance, non-straight men altogether amount to less than 3% of the population, but accounted for 54% of syphilis cases, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In light of this apparent crisis and one of its key driving forces, Biden health officials plan to endorse a "morning-after pill" for non-straight men. This pill might enable patients to keep having unprotected sex while lessening their chances of picking up one of several debilitating diseases.

What's the background?

An exhaustive consensus study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, noted in 2021 that while "STI rates have steadily increased across the United States in recent years, certain subgroups experience much higher rates than others. The populations disproportionately impacted include young people; members of the LGBTQ+ community; Black, Latino/a, AI/AN, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander communities; and cisgender women, along with people occupying multiple marginalized socioeconomic positions."

"The number of recent or lifetime sex partners, rate of partnerships, and frequency of condomless intercourse affect STI transmission," continued the report. "Given the increased rates of substance use, including use of drugs proximate to sexual activity (chem-sex and erectile dysfunction drugs), behavioral disinhibition and greater frequency and duration of sex can create an environment where SSTI transmission is more likely."

Gays who engage in anal sex are especially susceptible to contracting STDs "because of the thin lining of the rectum, which is easily damaged," said the report.

Record risk

The CDC released its Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance data in April, which revealed STIs had reached a new record for the eighth year in a row.

In 2021, there were well over 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Syphilis rates shot up 74% over a five-year period. There were nearly 3,000 congenital syphilis cases, which claimed the lives of 220 babies.

Non-straight people appear to have been one of the driving forces behind this trend.

In the way of demographic standouts, the CDC indicated that:

• Gay and bisexual men represent at most 2%-3% of the adolescent/adult population, yet account for 54% of all reported primary and secondary syphilis cases;
• Although they account for only 25% of the sexually active population, 50.5% of reported cases of STDs were among adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years;
• 31% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis "were among non-Hispanic Black persons, even though they made up only approximately 12% of the US population";
• non-straight men's lifetime risk of HIV infection is 1 in 6, whereas straight men's risk is 1 in 524 and straight women's is 1 in 253;
• HIV prevalence amongst male transvestites is 14%, with the highest prevalence among black (44%) and Hispanic (26%) male transvestites; and
• American Indian or Alaska Native persons were also hitting above their weight class, making up 3.6% of all congenital syphilis cases despite accounting for only 0.7% of all live births nationwide.

David C. Harvey, the executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, noted in a statement, "The latest CDC data shows record high STI rates in America for the eighth straight year. This is not business as usual – it is a rapidly deteriorating public health crisis in a dangerous time. STI rates will continue to rise unless we take drastic action."

A new pill, not a new routine

Biden health officials intend to endorse an antibiotic as a "morning-after pill" for use by sexually-active non-straight men, reported the Associated Press.

The CDC released its proposed new guidelines for the drug Monday, noting that doxycycline "has demonstrated benefit in reducing chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections and represents a new approach to addressing STI prevention in populations at increased risk for these infections."

A supporting document suggests that gays, bisexuals, and male transvestites with a history of at least one STI in the past 12 months might benefit from taking 200mg of the drug within 72 hours of partaking in sexual activities.

The CDC document also suggested that the drug should be considered for non-straight men "who have not been diagnosed with an STI in the prior year but will be participating in sexual activities that are known to increase likelihood of exposure to STIs, e.g., during weekend events, cruises, and festivals."

The CDC acknowledges that there is "insufficient evidence" to conclude this drug would be effective for women and straight men.

The Associated Press further indicated that a New England Journal of Medicine study found earlier this year that non-straight men who took the pills were 90% less likely to get chlamydia, around 80% less likely to get syphilis, and over 50% less likely to get gonorrhea as compared to non-straight men who didn't take the pills after sex.

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the 54% figure concerning non-straight men pertains to syphilis cases, not all STIs.

H/T: Revolver News

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