Montgomery is one of the nation’s worst cities for the rate of sexually transmitted infections, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

And Mobile, while lower on the list, is not far behind.

In their 8th annual study on national STI data, the Innerbody Research Institute found that over 60% of the top 25 metropolitan areas with the highest STI rates are in the South.

Although Detroit, Mich., is home to the highest rate of STIs, with 1,491 cases per 100,000 residents, nearly half of the remaining top ten rankings are in the South — including Montgomery, which ranks third with 1,446 cases of sexually transmitted diseases per 100,000 residents.

Cases of chlamydia account for the highest number in Alabama’s capital city, with 3,363 over the past year, followed by gonorrhea with 1,771 cases; 204 cases of syphilis; and 97 cases of HIV.

Mobile ranks 11th on the list with 1,277 STI cases per 100,000 residents. Like Montgomery, chlamydia is largely responsible, with 3,949 cases in the past year. Cases of gonorrhea totaled 1,700; cases of syphilis totaled 188; and there were 103 cases of HIV.

Philadelphia, Pa., was second on the list, followed by Montgomery, then Memphis, Tenn. in fourth; Baltimore, Md.; New Orleans, La.; Washington, D.C.; St. Louis, Mo.; Baton Rouge, La.; and San Francisco, Calif. finished the top 10.

Huntsville, which ranked 51st in last year’s ranking with 859 STI cases per 100,000 residents, saw drastic improvement, falling off of the top 100 list entirely this year.

Birmingham came in at number 33 with 1,049 STI cases per 100,000 residents.

The report suggests cities in the South may be hardest hit due to social and racial disparities, including the lack of health insurance; poverty and housing issues; substance abuse; and lack of sufficient health infrastructure — all factors which disproportionately affect minority racial and ethnic groups.

Late last year, Alabama was ranked sixth in the nation for the highest rate of STIs, according to 2023 CDC data compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

But the CDC is hopeful “that concerted effort and investment may be helping turn the page at last” after STI rates in the United States dropped by 1.8% in 2023 compared to 2022.

Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, national infection rates trended upward for the better part of two decades, according to CDC reports.

But the report highlights a matter of ongoing concern for U.S. health experts, rising syphilis cases.

Congenital syphilis cases among newborns rose nationally by 3% since 2022 and by 106% since 2019.

This caused 279 stillbirths and infant deaths over the past year, according to CDC records.

“What can spell the difference between life and death, or illness and health, are timely testing and treatment — but it has to be both,” the report reads.

“Nearly 90% of newborn syphilis cases are preventable through testing and treatment during pregnancy.”

Read the full report here.