The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cases of syphilis 17% increase past year and 80% in the past 5 years.
Experts warn of record outbreak as Congress plans to cut funding for workers fighting sexually transmitted diseases less likely to decline.
Although syphilis was nearly eradicated in the United States in the 1990s, it is making a comeback, largely due to long-standing effects. Underfunding public healthBut also because of rising rates of drug use and mental health crises.
CDC reported
Total number of people infected with syphilis: 207,255 In 2022, in nearly all demographic groups and regions, including newborns. In November, health officials reported a worrying increase in congenital syphilis, which is transmitted to infants at birth from an untreated infection in their parents.
It is a disease that affects red and blue states alike, led by Texas, California, Arizona, Florida, and Louisiana. 57 percent Of the number of congenital syphilis cases reported in 2022.
The Department of Health is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak, and Congress is poised to continue to do so. get back $400 million It was set aside in the Public Health Workforce Fund as part of the debt ceiling agreement between President Biden and Congressional leaders.
The National Coalition of Sexually Transmitted Disease Directors (NCSD) has determined that each state will need approximately 100,000 staff reductions. 800 disease intervention experts Unless Congress stops the cuts from taking effect.
“What HHS says we need to do, what the CDC says we need to do… rapid testing, outreach to people in alternative settings and places like prisons, They are all completely correct. But
The community cannot implement that advice. We are underfunded and understaffed,” said NCSD spokeswoman Elizabeth Finley.
