Ethnicity and sexually transmitted infections

Public health workers have long recognized that sexually transmitted diseases are differentially distributed within the population, with the highest rates observed in ethnic minorities. Incidence rates for bacterial diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, may be five to 10 times higher than in the general population, and two to three times higher for prevalent viral infections such as genital herpes. Unless ethnic group-specific analyses are performed, however, the elevated rates may not be discernible. These groups are also often at highest risk for heterosexual HIV transmission. Understanding the differential risks faced by ethnic groups is a critical component of developing appropriate behavioral and healthcare access interventions.