Reported sexually transmitted diseases increased in Minnesota in 2010, with the number of chlamydia cases reaching an all-time high, said a state Health Department report issued today.

While syphilis and chlamydia cases increased, gonorrhea cases fell significantly.

There's some concern that the increases in cases might continue to rise, because state and federal funding for efforts to stop the rise have been targeted in the budget deficit discussions.

Some key points in the report:

• Over the past decade (2000-2010), Minnesota’s chlamydia rate showed an overall increase of 88% while the rate of gonorrhea has fluctuated but has overall shown a decrease of 34%. Rates of primary/secondary syphilis have increased 831%.
• Minnesota has seen a resurgence in syphilis since 2002, with men who have sex with men being especially impacted.
• Racial disparities in STDs continue to persist in Minnesota with communities of color having the highest rates.
• Between 2009 and 2010, the chlamydia incidence rate increased by 6% while the gonorrhea rate decreased by 9%. Cases of primary/secondary syphilis more than doubled in 2010 compared with 2009, increasing by 110%. The greatest growth was seen among secondary syphilis cases.
• In 2010, incidence rates of chlamydia increased by 7% among males and 6% among females; gonorrhea decreased by 16% among males and 3% among females.
• STD rates continued to be highest in the City of Minneapolis. However, the Twin Cities suburbs and Greater Minnesota accounted for a large percentage of STD cases.
• Adolescents and young adults (ages 15-24) accounted for 69% of chlamydia and 65% of gonorrhea cases reported in 2010.
• In 2010, primary/secondary syphilis cases increased by 98% among men who have sex with men, and 264% among Blacks.

Planned Parenthood officials also decried targeted cuts in health education and testing:

“These figures expose absolutely inexcusable inequities in access to health-care services for the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. “Under the guise of balancing the budget, our elected officials are increasing the already heavy burden on low-income women and families, and ensuring that there will be greater costs to all of us down the line. It is not only short-sighted, it is heartless.”