STD Cases Have Declined in US Adults, But Syphilis Continue to Rise in Newborns

The article presents an analysis of recent trends in sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates in the United States, highlighting a mixed public health landscape. According to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2024, overall STD rates among U.S. adults, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, have declined for consecutive years. This reduction is partly attributed to behavioral changes among young people and increased use of doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, which has helped curb adult syphilis cases.
However, despite these positive trends, cases of congenital syphilis—transmitted from infected pregnant women to their newborns—continue to rise alarmingly. Since 2012, the number of newborns affected by syphilis has increased from about 300 to approximately 4,000 cases annually, with severe consequences such as death, deafness, blindness, and bone deformities. Although the 2024 increase was smaller than in previous years, experts emphasize that any rise in congenital syphilis remains a serious concern, underscoring gaps in maternal and infant healthcare protection.
The article also identifies geographic disparities, listing states with the highest STD rates per 100,000 population, with Louisiana leading, followed by Mississippi and Alaska. Additional studies cited reveal that women are significantly more likely than men to have prevalent infections, and millions of infections remain common in people aged 15 to 59.
Overall, the article underscores both progress in reducing certain STDs and the urgent need for improved interventions to prevent congenital syphilis, particularly among vulnerable populations.