Ridesharing, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Risky Behavior

I examine how the introduction of the ridesharing service UberX affected sexually transmitted infections. Ridesharing reduces transportation costs, potentially affecting STI transmission through changes in risky sexual behavior and increased testing. Using the staggered rollout of UberX across metropolitan areas, I find chlamydia rates begin increasing about one year after ridesharing becomes available, growing by about 11 cases per 100,000 per year after UberX's entry. My estimates suggest UberX is associated with 234,000 additional reported chlamydia cases between 2012 and 2018, with an estimated cost of $67 million. Gonorrhea, which is co-tested with chlamydia but has a higher symptomatic rate, shows no statistically significant effect. I provide evidence to support behavioral transmission contributed to the rise in chlamydia rates.