U.S. Syphilis Cases Reach Highest Level Since 1950s

Surge in Cases Sparks Concern Amid Potential Budget Cuts to Disease Investigators

Syphilis rates in the U.S. have surged to the highest level since the 1950s, with over 207,000 cases reported in 2022, marking a nearly 80% increase since 2018.
Congenital syphilis, passed from an infected woman to a fetus during pregnancy, has also seen a significant rise, with over 3,700 cases reported in 2022, a 30.6% increase from the previous year.
The surge in syphilis cases is particularly affecting certain demographic groups, including gay and bisexual men, heterosexual men and women, and racial and ethnic minority groups.
Public health experts are concerned that they won't have adequate resources to combat the surge due to ongoing budget negotiations on Capitol Hill and a possible $400 million cut to disease investigators.
The Biden administration launched the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Task Force in 2023 to address the crisis, focusing on promoting timely testing, improving access to treatment, and addressing racial disparities.