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The U.S. is battling a growing sexually transmitted disease (STD) problem, with syphilis cases reaching the highest level since 1950, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2022, a total of 207,255 cases of syphilis were reported in the U.S., indicating a 16.9% increase from the previous year. The rate of reported cases rose from 53.2 per 100,000 in 2021 to 62.2 per 100,000 in 2022, signaling a significant surge in infections.
Of particular concern is the rise in congenital syphilis, where a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy. With more than 3,700 cases reported in 2022, there has been a 30.6% increase in this alarming trend. This has prompted Dr. Laura Bachmann, acting director of the division of STD prevention at the CDC, to express serious concerns, stating, “It has emerged as a unique public health challenge.”
Additionally, in a striking trend, nearly a quarter of syphilis cases were diagnosed in women in 2022, marking a 19.5% climb from the previous year. The report indicates that there were 14,652 cases of primary and secondary syphilis reported in women, highlighting the increasing spread of the infection among heterosexual couples. However, the CDC also notes that men who have sex with men continue to make up a disproportionately large share of cases.
Furthermore, the CDC’s report revealed the resurgence of syphilis, with an 80% increase in cases since 2018. The disease has reached an epidemic level, with rates soaring across all age groups, including newborns. In 2022, more than 3,700 cases of congenital syphilis were reported, marking roughly 11 times the number recorded a decade ago. Tragically, the disease caused 231 stillbirths and 51 infant deaths in 2022, underscoring the severe impact of the epidemic.
The concerning data presented in the CDC’s report raise alarm about the public health implications of the syphilis epidemic in the U.S. Amidst these escalating numbers, urgent measures and collaborative efforts are imperative to address and mitigate the spread of this sexually transmitted disease, to protect the health and well-being of the nation’s population.
