Rising Syphilis cases in the US amidst funding shortages
syphilis cases and it is adding a significant hurdle in their ongoing battle against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The reason for this however isn't what you think it is.
The heart of the matter actually lies in the abrupt cancellation of a nearly $1 billion federal investment which was initially earmarked to reinforce their efforts.
The reason for this cancellation is a consequence of the national debt ceiling deal which has also left several states struggling to contain the alarming rise of syphilis.
Nevada, for instance, witnessed a staggering 44% increase in congenital syphilis cases from 2021 to 2022. The state was poised to receive over $10 million to bolster its STD prevention program.
However, the unexpected cancellation led to a devastating blow, with Nevada's STD prevention budget slashed by over 75%. Dawn Cribb from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health explains that this has significantly hampered their capacity to respond effectively to the escalating syphilis crisis.
For many states, the cancellation of this funding has had a ripple effect, most notably in their ability to expand and support their disease intervention specialist workforce. The specialists in questions play a crucial role in identifying contact tracing and other outreach efforts, which are both crucial aspects in the battle against syphilis.
However, it hasn't always been this way in the US. In 2000, the number of syphilis cases being reported were at an all time low, but since then it has been steadily rising almost every year since. In 2021 alone, the US saw a 31% increase in reported cases.
