Nearly $400 million. That’s how much sexually transmitted infections cost Dallas County in 2022 alone – enough money to build several new schools, fix countless potholes, or fund thousands of teacher salaries. Instead, it went toward treating preventable diseases that continue to spread through our communities.
A bombshell report released this week by Dallas County Health and Human Services reveals that STIs cost the county a staggering $398.6 million in 2022, with HIV accounting for an overwhelming 95.9% of those costs at $382.5 million.
The Numbers That Should Scare You
Here’s what Dallas County taxpayers are dealing with:
Total STI costs in 2022: $398.6 million
HIV costs: $382.5 million (95.9% of total)
Congenital syphilis costs: $8.6 million (up 33.8% from 2021)
Other STIs (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis): $16.1 million
“These numbers are a wake-up call,” said Dr. Philip Huang, Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services. “Prevention and early treatment aren’t just good medicine — they’re smart economics.”
But the financial burden is just part of the story. Dallas County continues to see a steady rate of new HIV cases, with around a 30% increase in cases in males and a 6.5% increase in female cases occurring in 2021.
Who’s Getting Hit Hardest?
The numbers reveal troubling patterns. Almost half (48.2%) of reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years. That’s your kids, your neighbors’ kids, young people just starting their adult lives.
The STI burden within our cities continues to hit minority racial and ethnic groups the hardest, highlighting ongoing health disparities that demand urgent attention.
Most concerning is the rise in congenital syphilis – babies born with syphilis because their mothers weren’t properly treated during pregnancy. Pregnant women with untreated early syphilis experience perinatal death in up to 40% of cases.
Prevention: Your Best Defense
The good news? Most STIs are completely preventable with the right knowledge and actions. Here’s what health experts recommend:
Get Tested Regularly
- Nearly 1 in 5 Americans has an STI, but many don’t know it because symptoms aren’t always obvious
- Early detection means easier, cheaper treatment
- Testing should be part of routine healthcare, especially for sexually active individuals
Practice Safe Sex
- Consistent condom use dramatically reduces transmission risk
- Limit number of sexual partners
- Have honest conversations with partners about sexual health history
Seek Early Treatment
- Most STIs are easily curable with proper antibiotics
- Delaying treatment leads to more serious complications and higher costs
- Don’t let embarrassment prevent you from getting help
Where to Get Help in Texas
Dallas County isn’t fighting this battle alone. Several resources are available across Texas:
Dallas Area:
- Kind Clinic offers Walk-In STI testing and treatment at clinic locations in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio
- Dallas County Health and Human Services community clinics
- Local Planned Parenthood locations
Statewide Resources:
- Texas Department of State Health Services HIV/STD Program provides resources and coordinates prevention efforts
- STD clinical consultation services available through the STD Clinical Consultation Network
- Texas Children’s experts in Adolescent Medicine and Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Other Texas Cities Taking Action
Dallas isn’t alone in this fight. Kind Clinic operates in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, indicating similar programs exist in other major Texas cities. Austin and San Antonio have their own public health initiatives targeting STI prevention and treatment.
Houston, Fort Worth, and El Paso all have robust STI prevention programs through their respective health departments, offering testing, treatment, and education services to their communities.
The Smart Economics of Prevention
Dr. Huang hit the nail on the head when he called this “a fiscal imperative.” Every dollar spent on prevention saves multiple dollars in treatment costs down the road. Consider:
- A basic STI test costs around $50-100
- Treating advanced syphilis can cost thousands
- Lifetime HIV treatment costs can exceed $400,000 per person
The math is simple: prevention is always cheaper than treatment.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Get tested if you’re sexually active – many STIs have no symptoms
- Talk to your kids about sexual health and protection
- Support community health initiatives that fund prevention programs
- Don’t let stigma prevent you or others from seeking help
This $398 million price tag represents more than just numbers on a balance sheet. It represents preventable suffering, families torn apart by disease, and resources that could have been invested in making Dallas County stronger.
The choice is ours: invest in prevention now, or keep paying the much higher price of treatment later. Your health – and your tax dollars – depend on making the right choice.
For more information about STI testing and treatment resources in Dallas County, visit the Dallas County Health and Human Services website or call 214-819-2000.
