STD Awareness Month Blog Series: Syphilis in the U.S.

Apr 06, 2017 | Nicholas Parr

April is STD Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is Syphilis Strikes Back. This theme was chosen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention as a reminder that, despite the elimination of syphilis being within reach just a decade ago, we are seeing a dramatic resurgence in new syphilis infections in the U.S. today. To highlight the most impacted populations and the roles of local health departments (LHDs) in combatting this growing epidemic of syphilis, NACCHO’s Essential Elements of Local Public Health blog will feature a series of STD Awareness Month posts throughout the month of April. Today’s post provides an overview of the state of the syphilis epidemic, and will set the stage for the posts to follow throughout the month.

Syphilis is a prevalent and expanding public health issue in the U.S. In 2015, there were nearly 75,000 new syphilis infections reported – a 17.7% increase over 2014. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is primarily spread through sexual contact, but the disease can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. Any sexually active person can acquire syphilis, but men who have sex with men (MSM) and women of childbearing age are especially impacted. While treatable, syphilis infections that remain undiagnosed or untreated can cause neurological damage including permanent blindness and dementia, fetal death or developmental delays, and skin sores that can increase the risk of transmitting and acquiring HIV infection.

According to the most recent data provided by CDC, in 2015 the rate of primary and secondary syphilis (the most transmissible stages of infection) in the U.S. increased to 7.5 cases per 100,000 – a 19.0% increase from 2014, 66.7% increase from 2011, and the highest rate in over two decades. This increase markedly affects MSM: for male cases in which the sex of the sex partner was known, 81.7% were among MSM, and where HIV-status was also reported, 51.2% of syphilis cases among MSM were also HIV-positive. This further highlights the burden and impact of syphilis on the MSM community.

Increasing rates of syphilis among women of childbearing age and among newborns (congenital syphilis) are also growing concerns. In 2015, nearly 500 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, and these cases were disproportionately found among infants born to black and Hispanic mothers. In fact, compared to infants born to white mothers, rates of congenital syphilis were eight times higher among infants born to black mothers, and 3.5 times higher among infants born to Hispanic mothers. Disturbingly, rates of syphilis found among babies who were miscarried or stillborn have increased in each of the last two years.

While rates of syphilis among MSM and newborns are again increasing, rates of syphilis are also rising across many populations in the U.S. In fact, in one year, between 2014 and 2015, syphilis rates increased for both men and women in every age group (among 15-64 year olds), in every region of the country, and among every race/ethnicity except for American Indians/Alaska Natives

Over the next three weeks, posts in this blog series will focus on understanding why syphilis rates are again on the rise and why certain populations are disproportionately impacted by syphilis. The series will also highlight how NACCHO and LHDs are working to address growing rates of syphilis at the local level, including through a project supported by CDC’s Division of STD Prevention to evaluate the implementation of rapid syphilis testing (RST) by LHD STD programs in nonclinical community settings. The project will contribute valuable data and perspectives to inform the use of RST by LHD STD programs among hard-to-reach populations impacted by syphilis.

Look out for the next post in the series on April 13th and, in the meantime, check out CDC’s resources on syphilis, participate in CDC’s Syphilis Strikes Back Thunderclap, and use sample STD Awareness Month tweets and Facebook posts on your social media accounts.


About Nicholas Parr

More posts by Nicholas Parr

Related Posts

Ps24 posters d3 web

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day three of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 27, 2024

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

D2 highlights web

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day two of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 26, 2024

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

I Stock 1182682774
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Behavioral Health
  • Community Health
  • Injury and Violence Prevention

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO is...

Mar 26, 2024 | Camille Adams

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

PS24 1

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day one of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

PS24 web
  • Tools & Resources
  • Training

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024 | Beth Hess

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

You’re invited to join the call on April 2 to hear more.

Mar 25, 2024

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

Cover and Spine for MAPP 2 0 Handbook Copy Page 1
  • Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
  • Performance Improvement
  • Workforce Development

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Registration is now open for NACCHO’s in-person Mobilizing for Action through...

Mar 23, 2024 | Andrea Grenadier

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Capitol bulding

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Early on March 21st, Congress released the final minibus package for Fiscal...

Mar 22, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Website New Episode w Special Guests
  • Press Release

National Association of County and City Health...

Local Public Health on the Hill Recap and Local Health Department Addresses the...

Mar 22, 2024

National Association of County and City Health...

Back to Top