Trends in Reported Chlamydia Cases Among Reproductive-Aged Females in the United States, 1996–2014: A Retrospective CDC WONDER Analysis

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported notifiable disease in the United States, with significant implications for reproductive health. Understanding its epidemiologic trends is crucial for guiding prevention efforts Objective: To analyze the geographic, demographic, and temporal trends in reported chlamydia cases among females aged 20–39 years in the United States from 1996 to 2014. Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted using publicly available data from the CDC WONDER online database. Case counts were aggregated by year, state, race/ethnicity, and age group (20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39 years). Data visualization was performed using Tableau software. Temporal trends were analyzed using Joinpoint Regression Software to identify significant changes in Annual Percent Change (APC). Results: A total of 8,368,977 chlamydia cases among females aged 20–39 were reported from 1996–2014. Geographic analysis revealed higher case counts in southern and western states. The 20–24 year age group accounted for the majority of cases (5,285,914). Black or African American females accounted for the highest case counts, followed by White and Hispanic females across all age groups. Temporal analysis showed a steady national increase from 1996–2013. Joinpoint analysis indicated varying trends by state, with several states (e.g., Alabama, Arkansas) exhibiting multiple significant inflection points, while others showed stable, linear increases. Conclusion: Chlamydia case count remains high among young adult and minority females in the United States, with distinct geographic and demographic patterns. The persistent disparities underscore the need for targeted, culturally competent screening and prevention programs.