DALLAS, TX — A new report from Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) reveals that the economic cost of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Dallas County reached $398.6 million in 2022, with HIV accounting for more than 95% of the total.
Published in the Dallas County Medical Society Journal, the report titled The Economic Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Dallas County, TX highlights the increasing public health and financial impact of STIs across the county.
Key findings from the report include:
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Total STI costs in 2022: $398.6 million
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HIV-related costs: $382.5 million (95.9% of total)
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Congenital syphilis costs: $8.6 million, up 33.8% from 2021
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Non-HIV STI costs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis): $16.1 million
“These numbers are a wake-up call,” said Dr. Philip Huang, Director of DCHHS. “Prevention and early treatment aren’t just good medicine — they’re smart economics.”
Health officials emphasized the need for continued public health initiatives focused on prevention, education, early diagnosis, and accessible treatment options to reduce both health risks and economic strain on the healthcare system.
