Atlanta, Georgia – The United States is currently facing a significant public health crisis with the alarming rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as reported by the National Coalition of STD Directors in January. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the country.
Among these STIs, chlamydia remained the most common in 2022, while cases of syphilis have seen an 80 percent increase in the past five years. The rise in syphilis cases is especially concerning as it not only affects adults but also poses a threat to babies through congenital syphilis, which increased by 937 percent in a decade.
Although syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics, the lack of timely testing and treatment can lead to irreversible damage or even death, especially in infants. The primary and secondary stages of syphilis are highly contagious, with the disease progressing to affect organs and potentially prove fatal in the third stage.
The increase in congenital syphilis cases is particularly worrisome, with a 31 percent rise in a single year, disproportionately impacting Black or African American children. States like Texas, California, Arizona, Florida, and Louisiana accounted for the majority of reported cases in 2022.
Public health officials, led by CDC Director for STD Prevention Laura Bachmann, are calling for swift innovation and collaboration to address the escalating STI crisis. Various health associations are joining the efforts to combat the issue, emphasizing the need for increased funding to provide essential screening, treatment, and prevention services.
While President Biden has initiated a multi-agency plan to tackle the rising STI cases in the country, uncertainties remain regarding the funding for these endeavors. The NCSDDC confirmed that the federal STI funding for the CDC in the White House’s 2025 budget blueprint remains unchanged, despite the critical need for resources to curb the STI epidemic.