Rochester, Syracuse Among Cities with Highest STI Rates in the U.S.
A recent report analyzing the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data has revealed alarming news for upstate New York residents—Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo rank among the top U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The findings, published by Innerbody Research, underscore the persistent and growing public health challenge of STIs across the country.
The report places Rochester at 70th, Syracuse at 90th, and Buffalo at 82nd on the national list of metro areas with the highest STI rates. These rankings highlight a concerning trend in STI prevalence within New York state, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
For Rochester, the report cites a total of 8,423 cases per 100,000 residents, while Buffalo recorded 7,722 cases, and Syracuse reported 4,347 cases. These figures encompass infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.
While these numbers are lower than in some southern and midwestern cities, the presence of these upstate hubs in the top 100 list suggests a growing need for intervention, awareness, and improved healthcare accessibility.
Detroit, Michigan, topped the rankings as the city with the highest STI rates in 2025, with Philadelphia and Montgomery, Alabama, following closely behind. The CDC data reflects a nationwide STI crisis, despite a slight overall decline of 1.8% in reported infections compared to previous years.
The report also highlights racial and socioeconomic disparities as key drivers of STI prevalence. African American, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities experience disproportionately high rates of infection, often due to limited access to healthcare, social stigma, and economic barriers.
The entire research report is available here.