In a concerning trend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in syphilis cases diagnosed in women in the United States. According to the CDC’s data for 2022, nearly a quarter of all syphilis cases were found in women, marking a 19.5% rise compared to the previous year. The total number of reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis in women was 14,652, constituting approximately 25% of the 59,016 cases nationwide. This is a notable shift from 2018 when only 14% of syphilis cases were reported in women.
The rise in syphilis cases among women suggests that the sexually transmitted infection is increasingly spreading among heterosexual couples. While men who have sex with men continue to account for a disproportionately large share of syphilis cases, the trend observed in 2022 underscores the expanding impact on the heterosexual population. The CDC’s final figures for 2022 reveal the largest number of diagnosed syphilis cases nationwide since the 1950s, indicating an alarming epidemic.
Syphilis rates have been on the rise since 2011, with the CDC emphasizing the need for robust public health systems, tailored prevention strategies, and community-specific interventions. The worsening syphilis epidemic has led health officials to call for improved diagnosis and treatment efforts, as well as a focus on addressing factors like substance abuse that contribute to risky behaviors facilitating the spread of the bacteria.
Apart from the increase in syphilis cases, the CDC’s data highlights a divergence in trends for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While chlamydia cases remained relatively flat in 2022 compared to the previous year, gonorrhea rates experienced an 8.7% drop. The CDC cautiously views the decline in gonorrhea rates as a positive development and plans to closely monitor 2023 figures to determine if the trend continues.
However, the National Coalition of STD Directors has expressed concerns about the deteriorating public health crisis, particularly with regard to syphilis. The group has urged the administration and Congress to provide the necessary funding to address the crisis effectively. Shortages of key treatments, such as Pfizer’s Bicillin L-A, and cuts to public health workers focused on sexually transmitted infections further compound the challenges faced in mitigating the epidemic. The Department of Health and Human Services has responded by mobilizing a new task force to address the resurgence of syphilis and eliminate disparities in the healthcare system.