Overview

• The CDC's latest report shows a 10% decrease in syphilis and a 7% decrease in gonorrhea cases in 2023, marking a hopeful shift in STI trends.
• The decline in syphilis diagnoses is largely attributed to the use of doxycycline as a post-exposure prophylaxis by gay and bisexual men.
• Chlamydia cases remain stable, with over 1.64 million reported, while syphilis cases in newborns continue to rise, highlighting testing gaps among pregnant women.
• Experts credit increased STI testing and treatment efforts, along with public health funding, for the positive trends, although funding cuts pose future challenges.
• Concerns remain about racial disparities in STI prevention, and ongoing research aims to address potential antibiotic resistance due to increased doxycycline use.