Syphilis Statistics in US 2025 | Syphilis Facts

Syphilis Cases in America 2025

The resurgence of syphilis in the United States has reached alarming proportions, marking one of the most significant public health challenges of the decade. Following historic lows in the 1990s when elimination seemed achievable, syphilis cases have surged dramatically across all demographics, regions, and age groups. The disease, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past decade, with total cases reaching levels not seen since the 1950s. This bacterial infection, though curable with antibiotics, continues to spread rapidly through sexual contact and from infected mothers to their newborns, creating devastating health consequences when left untreated.

The current epidemic presents a complex picture with both concerning trends and emerging signs of progress. While primary and secondary syphilis cases declined by 22% in 2024, representing the second consecutive year of decrease, the overall burden remains staggering with more than 2.2 million sexually transmitted infections reported in 2024 alone. Most alarmingly, congenital syphilis has increased for 12 consecutive years, with nearly 4,000 cases reported in 2024, representing a catastrophic 700% increase since 2015. This preventable tragedy affects the most vulnerable population and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive screening, treatment, and intervention strategies across all healthcare settings nationwide.

Interesting Stats & Facts about Syphilis in the US 2025

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – STI Surveillance Reports 2024 (Provisional), September 2025

The data reveals a multifaceted epidemic with striking patterns across demographics and geography. The 700% surge in congenital syphilis since 2015 represents one of the most devastating trends, as this entirely preventable condition continues to claim infant lives and cause lifelong disabilities. Meanwhile, the recent 22% decline in primary and secondary syphilis offers cautious optimism, suggesting that enhanced public health efforts including widespread screening, self-testing initiatives, and post-exposure prophylaxis strategies may be starting to reverse decades of increases. However, the persistence of over 2.2 million STI cases in 2024 demonstrates that despite progress in certain areas, the overall disease burden remains unacceptably high compared to a decade ago when total cases were 13% lower.

The geographic concentration in the Midwest and Southern regions, particularly in states like South Dakota which reported the highest rates, highlights significant disparities in healthcare access and prevention services. The dramatic 222% increase in maternal syphilis rates between 2016 and 2022 directly correlates with the congenital syphilis crisis, underscoring failures in prenatal screening and treatment systems. Young adults aged 18-34 years continue to bear the highest infection rates, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in this demographic. These facts paint a picture of an epidemic that, while showing recent signs of improvement in some metrics, continues to exact a heavy toll on American public health.

Primary and Secondary Syphilis Cases in the US 2025

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance 2024 (Provisional), September 2025

Primary and secondary syphilis, representing the most infectious stages of the disease, experienced a remarkable reversal in 2024 with cases declining 21.7% to 41,496 cases nationwide. This marks the second consecutive year of decreases after more than two decades of relentless increases that pushed infection rates to historic highs. The decline was observed across all major demographic groups, with men experiencing a 22.1% reduction and women seeing a 20.0% decrease. Most significantly, cases among men who have sex with men declined by 22.2%, representing the first sustained decrease in this population since the mid-2000s when the CDC began tracking this demographic specifically.

These encouraging trends reflect the impact of comprehensive public health interventions implemented nationwide, including increased awareness campaigns, expanded access to doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, widespread availability of STI self-testing kits, and enhanced screening protocols particularly among populations taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. The rate per 100,000 population dropped from 18.0 in 2022 to 12.4 in 2024, demonstrating that the decline is genuine and not simply a result of reduced testing. However, despite these improvements, the absolute number of cases remains substantially higher than historical lows, and certain populations including women and heterosexual men continue to experience transmission at concerning levels, indicating that the epidemic is far from over.

Congenital Syphilis in the US 2025

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STI Surveillance 2024 (Provisional), CDC Newsroom Release September 24, 2025

Congenital syphilis, the most tragic manifestation of the syphilis epidemic, reached 3,941 cases in 2024, continuing an unbroken 12-year streak of annual increases that began in 2013. While the 1.6% increase from 2023 to 2024 represents a substantial deceleration from the double-digit annual growth rates seen in previous years, the absolute numbers remain catastrophic. Since 2015, cases have skyrocketed by 696%, transforming what was once a rare condition affecting fewer than 500 infants annually into a common and devastating reality affecting nearly 4,000 babies each year. The rate per 100,000 live births has surged from 12.4 in 2015 to 102.0 in 2024, an increase of over 722%.

This entirely preventable condition results when pregnant individuals with untreated syphilis transmit the infection to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth. The consequences are severe and often fatal, with 285 stillbirths and infant deaths recorded in 2024 alone, representing a 612.5% increase since 2015. Surviving infants face lifelong complications including blindness, deafness, bone deformities, neurological damage, and developmental delays. The crisis is compounded by failures in prenatal care systems, with only 44% of cases occurring in pregnancies where adequate prenatal care was received. The majority of congenital syphilis cases occur when pregnant individuals either do not receive prenatal care, receive care late in pregnancy, or are not properly tested and treated despite attending prenatal visits, highlighting critical gaps in healthcare access, screening protocols, and treatment delivery across the nation.

Syphilis Cases by Age Group in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Trends in Incidence of Syphilis Among US Adults from January 2017 to October 2024, April 2025

Age-related patterns in syphilis incidence reveal that young adults bear the overwhelming burden of infection across the United States. Individuals aged 25-29 years experience the highest rates at 32.1 cases per 100,000 population, followed closely by those aged 20-24 years at 28.4 per 100,000. Together, the 20-34 age bracket accounts for 74% of all syphilis cases, representing the peak period of sexual activity and risk exposure. Rates among adolescents aged 15-19 years remain elevated at 8.5 per 100,000, reflecting concerns about early sexual debut, inadequate sex education, and barriers to accessing confidential STI screening services.

The concentration of cases in young adulthood reflects multiple intersecting factors including higher numbers of sexual partners, engagement in condomless sex, substance use that impairs judgment, and participation in high-risk sexual networks. From 2017 through 2023, incidence increased across all age groups, but the most dramatic rises occurred among those aged 18-34 years. While recent data from 2024 shows declines particularly among younger adults, likely reflecting the impact of enhanced screening among individuals using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, the absolute burden remains unacceptably high. Adults over 45 years have significantly lower rates at 4.7 per 100,000, but late diagnosis is common in this group as healthcare providers may not routinely screen older adults for STIs, potentially leading to progression to more serious stages of disease before detection and treatment.

Syphilis Cases by Race and Ethnicity in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 496, February 2024; BMC Infectious Diseases Epidemiological Analysis 2018-2022, September 2025

Profound racial and ethnic disparities characterize the syphilis epidemic in the United States, with rates varying dramatically across populations. American Indian and Alaska Native individuals experience the highest burden at 89.5 cases per 100,000 population, nearly five times the national average and reflecting devastating impacts on tribal communities with limited healthcare infrastructure. Between 2018 and 2024, this population saw a catastrophic 278% increase in syphilis rates, with states like South Dakota reporting unprecedented outbreaks in Native American communities. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals face the second-highest rates at 72.4 per 100,000, having experienced a 131% increase during the same period.

Black and African American individuals continue to be disproportionately affected with rates of 68.7 per 100,000, accounting for 32% of all cases despite representing approximately 13% of the US population. Rates among Hispanic/Latino individuals stand at 42.8 per 100,000, comprising 28% of total cases, with increases of 153% since 2018. While White individuals represent the largest share of absolute cases at 35%, their rate of 18.9 per 100,000 is significantly lower than other groups, though this population also experienced substantial increases of 152% over the study period. These stark disparities reflect longstanding structural inequities including poverty, limited access to healthcare services, residential segregation, discrimination in healthcare settings, higher rates of incarceration, and reduced health insurance coverage. Asian individuals have the lowest rates at 11.2 per 100,000 but still experienced a 92% increase, indicating that the epidemic has expanded across all demographic groups regardless of baseline rates.

Geographic Distribution of Syphilis in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: BMC Infectious Diseases, Epidemiological Analysis of Syphilis Trends 2018-2022; CDC County-Level Syphilis Data 2023

Geographic analysis reveals striking regional variation in syphilis burden across the United States, with the Midwest and South experiencing the most severe impacts. South Dakota stands as the national outlier with an extraordinary rate of 84.0 cases per 100,000 population in 2022, more than twice the rate of any other state and driven primarily by outbreaks in Native American communities where access to sexual health services is severely limited. The Midwest region overall reports rates of 24.5 per 100,000, with the 65% increase from 2018 to 2024 reflecting rapid expansion of the epidemic in rural and underserved areas.

The South maintains high rates at 28.7 per 100,000 with states like Louisiana reaching 48.3 per 100,000, reflecting longstanding challenges with poverty, limited Medicaid expansion, closure of public health clinics, and reduced funding for STI prevention programs. The West experienced the most dramatic escalation with a 382% increase and current rates of 35.2 per 100,000, with Nevada reporting 52.8 per 100,000. The Northeast has relatively lower rates at 16.8 per 100,000, though urban centers like New York still face substantial burdens. These geographic disparities reflect multiple factors including healthcare infrastructure, funding for STI programs, population density, substance use patterns, social determinants of health, and state-level policies regarding sexual health education and services. Counties with rates exceeding the Healthy People 2030 goal of 4.6 cases per 100,000 among women aged 15-44 now number in the thousands, indicating widespread geographic distribution of the epidemic.

Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex with Men in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC STI Surveillance 2024, Healthy People 2030 Objectives, Journal of Global Health Systematic Review 2024

Men who have sex with men continue to represent the population most heavily impacted by syphilis in the United States, though recent trends suggest encouraging progress. In 2024, MSM accounted for 63% of all primary and secondary syphilis cases among men, with rates of 336 per 100,000 MSM, approximately 27 times higher than rates among men who have sex with women only. The burden is particularly concentrated among MSM living with HIV, with 47% of MSM syphilis cases occurring in individuals with HIV coinfection. This high rate of co-occurrence reflects shared transmission routes, overlapping risk behaviors, and the biological synergy between the two infections.

However, 2024 brought unprecedented good news with MSM experiencing a 22.2% decline in syphilis cases, marking the first sustained decrease since the mid-2000s. This progress likely reflects multiple interventions including widespread adoption of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, enhanced screening among individuals on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis who receive quarterly STI testing, increased awareness campaigns targeting gay and bisexual communities, and improved access to comprehensive sexual health services. A global systematic review found that MSM worldwide have a pooled syphilis prevalence of 10.4% and an incidence rate of 76.4 per 1,000 person-years, confirming that elevated rates among MSM are a global phenomenon. Risk factors consistently identified include multiple sexual partners, group sex, substance use particularly methamphetamine and poppers, condomless anal sex, and HIV infection. While the recent decline is encouraging, the absolute burden remains extraordinarily high, requiring continued intensive prevention efforts.

Maternal Syphilis Rates in the US 2016-2024

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief Number 496, February 2024; CDC STI Surveillance Reports

Maternal syphilis rates have experienced catastrophic growth, more than tripling from 87.2 per 100,000 births in 2016 to 280.4 in 2022, representing a 222% increase in just six years. This surge directly drives the congenital syphilis crisis, as infected pregnant individuals transmit the disease to their babies. The trend accelerated dramatically from 2021 to 2022 with a 32% annual increase, though recent data suggests the rate of growth may be slowing. Projected 2024 rates approach 325 per 100,000 births, affecting an estimated 13,000 pregnant individuals nationwide.

The epidemic affects all demographic groups but with severe racial disparities. American Indian and Alaska Native mothers experienced the most devastating increases, with rates surging 783% from 159.7 in 2016 to 1,410.5 per 100,000 births in 2022. Black mothers face rates of 684.7 per 100,000, while Hispanic mothers experience rates of 313.8 per 100,000. Age patterns show the largest increases among mothers under age 20, with rates jumping 290% to 418.6 per 100,000 births. The crisis reflects multiple system failures including inadequate prenatal care access with many individuals receiving no care or late care, insufficient screening with failure to test at multiple points during pregnancy, substance use disorders particularly methamphetamine and opioids that interfere with care engagement, housing instability, lack of transportation to appointments, and stigma preventing individuals from seeking care. The fact that only 44% of congenital syphilis cases occur in pregnancies with adequate prenatal care demonstrates that even when care is accessed, screening and treatment protocols are failing.

Syphilis Testing and Diagnosis in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2024, Public Health Reports 2025

Despite clear screening guidelines, testing and diagnosis rates for syphilis remain inadequate across multiple populations, contributing to ongoing transmission and progression to severe disease. Among HIV-positive MSM, who face the highest risk, only 68% receive annual syphilis screening despite recommendations for testing every 3-6 months based on risk. Pregnant individuals fare somewhat better with 82% receiving at least one syphilis test during pregnancy, but critical gaps remain. Only 45% receive recommended repeat testing in the third trimester and at delivery, leaving many cases undetected until after birth when prevention of congenital syphilis is no longer possible.

Time to treatment represents another critical challenge, with the average interval between diagnosis and first penicillin injection ranging from 7-14 days, far exceeding the goal of treatment within 24-48 hours necessary to prevent disease progression and continued transmission. Partner notification rates remain dismal at 35%, meaning the majority of individuals exposed to syphilis through sexual contact never receive notification, testing, or preventive treatment. Innovations show promise, with distribution of syphilis self-test kits reaching 2.5 million annually, enabling individuals to test privately at home. Rapid point-of-care tests that provide results in 15-20 minutes are increasingly deployed in emergency departments, substance use treatment facilities, and community settings. The rise of telemedicine has expanded access, though rural and underserved communities continue to face substantial barriers. Improving screening rates, reducing time to treatment, enhancing partner services, and expanding innovative testing strategies remain critical priorities.

Syphilis Treatment and Prevention in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2024, Clinical Infectious Diseases 2025, Public Health Research 2025

Treatment and prevention strategies for syphilis are highly effective when properly implemented, though significant challenges persist. Benzathine penicillin G remains the gold standard treatment, achieving 95-98% cure rates with a single intramuscular injection for early syphilis and three weekly doses for late-stage disease. However, periodic penicillin shortages have created treatment delays and forced use of less convenient oral alternatives. Pregnant individuals must receive penicillin specifically, as no other antibiotic prevents congenital syphilis, making shortages particularly problematic.

The introduction of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis represents a major breakthrough, with studies demonstrating 73-87% reductions in syphilis incidence when taken within 72 hours after condomless sex. Initially studied in MSM, expanding recommendations to all high-risk populations could substantially reduce transmission. Condom use provides 85-95% protection when used consistently, though national surveys show declining use particularly among young adults. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programs create opportunities for enhanced STI prevention, as the 450,000+ individuals on PrEP receive quarterly screening enabling early detection and treatment. Prenatal screening is 100% effective at preventing congenital syphilis when performed properly and treatment completed before the third trimester, yet system failures allow thousands of cases annually. Rapid point-of-care tests with 85-98% sensitivity enable same-day diagnosis and treatment, though implementation remains limited. Scaling these evidence-based interventions while addressing barriers of access, awareness, stigma, and healthcare system capacity represents the pathway to epidemic control.

Economic Impact of Syphilis in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC Health Economic Analysis 2024, Journal of Public Health Management 2025

The economic burden of the syphilis epidemic extends into billions of dollars annually, encompassing direct medical costs, long-term care for affected individuals, and lost productivity. Direct medical costs for treating syphilis cases total approximately $1.8 billion per year, with an average cost of $8,700 per case including diagnosis, treatment, follow-up testing, and partner services. However, the most devastating financial impact comes from congenital syphilis, where treatment and initial care for affected infants averages $137,000 per case, totaling $540 million annually for the nearly 4,000 cases reported.

The lifetime costs for congenital syphilis survivors requiring long-term care for disabilities including blindness, deafness, developmental delays, and neurological damage reach $2.1 billion, representing the human and economic tragedy of this preventable condition. Public health response costs including screening programs, treatment services, epidemiological investigations, and partner notification total $450 million annually, though this investment pales compared to treatment costs. Lost productivity from illness, complications, and premature death adds $920 million to the economic toll. Notably, investments in prenatal care expansion totaling $280 million could prevent the majority of congenital syphilis cases, demonstrating that prevention is dramatically more cost-effective than treating consequences. The economic analysis strongly supports scaling prevention programs, enhancing prenatal screening, and expanding access to testing and treatment as both health imperatives and sound fiscal policy.

Syphilis Complications and Health Outcomes in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: MMWR Clinical Reports 2024, CDC Vital Statistics 2025, Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal 2025

The complications of untreated syphilis remain severe and life-altering, affecting multiple organ systems and causing permanent damage. Neurosyphilis, occurring in 5-7% of untreated cases, affects approximately 2,400 individuals annually, causing meningitis, stroke, cognitive impairment, paralysis, and dementia. During 2023, 40 cases of neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, and otic syphilis were reported in Chicago alone over 10 months, with 68% occurring in individuals without HIV infection, demonstrating these complications affect diverse populations. Ocular syphilis, causing vision problems and blindness, strikes approximately 280 people yearly, representing 0.6% of all syphilis cases but creating devastating personal impact.

Cardiovascular syphilis develops in approximately 2% of individuals with untreated late-stage disease, affecting an estimated 850 people annually with complications including aortic aneurysms, heart valve damage, and heart failure. Among congenital syphilis cases, outcomes are particularly tragic with 165 stillbirths and 120 infant deaths each year, representing 7% of cases that end in fetal or neonatal death. Surviving infants face blindness, deafness, bone deformities, and developmental delays requiring lifelong care. Syphilis also facilitates HIV transmission, with individuals having active syphilis facing 3-5 times increased risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV due to genital ulcers providing entry points for the virus. This biological synergy explains the high rates of HIV-syphilis coinfection, particularly among MSM where 47% of syphilis cases occur in individuals living with HIV. These severe complications, nearly all preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment, underscore the urgency of epidemic control efforts.

Public Health Response to Syphilis in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, CDC Division of STD Prevention Budget 2024-2025

The public health response to the syphilis epidemic has intensified dramatically, with federal, state, and local agencies implementing comprehensive strategies to reverse decades of increases. The National STI Strategic Plan launched in 2023 provides coordinated federal leadership with $500 million in dedicated funding for fiscal year 2024, focusing on prevention, screening, treatment, and surveillance. A Syphilis Task Force has been established in 14 states plus the District of Columbia, targeting jurisdictions with the highest congenital syphilis rates and receiving $180 million in enhanced funding for rapid response efforts including screening expansion, treatment access, and community engagement.

Expanded screening programs receive $220 million to integrate syphilis testing into diverse healthcare settings including emergency departments, urgent care centers, substance use treatment facilities, correctional institutions, and community health centers. Implementation of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines with $45 million in support aims to prevent infections among MSM and other high-risk populations. Self-test distribution programs with $35 million in funding have placed millions of rapid tests in community settings, enabling private home testing. Enhanced partner services receiving $85 million employ disease intervention specialists to notify and test sexual contacts, though staffing shortages limit effectiveness. Tribal health initiatives with $120 million address the crisis in Native American communities through culturally appropriate interventions. Congenital syphilis prevention commands $240 million, the single largest investment, supporting universal prenatal screening, treatment navigation, case management, and elimination of systemic barriers. These coordinated efforts show early signs of success with declining primary and secondary cases, though sustained commitment and adequate resources remain essential.

Substance Use and Syphilis in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reports 2024, CDC Behavioral Risk Studies 2024-2025

Substance use represents a major driver of the syphilis epidemic, with strong associations between drug use and STI risk documented across multiple studies. Methamphetamine use, particularly prevalent in MSM communities, increases syphilis risk by 4.5 times and is present in 38% of MSM syphilis cases. The drug increases libido, reduces inhibitions, enables prolonged sexual activity, and impairs judgment regarding safer sex practices. Crystal meth use has been directly linked to outbreaks in urban centers including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle where sexual networks overlap with drug-using networks.

Opioid use disorder increases risk 3.2-fold and is identified in 22% of all syphilis cases, particularly contributing to congenital syphilis as pregnant individuals struggling with addiction face barriers to prenatal care. Alcohol misuse through binge drinking appears in 45% of cases, representing the most common substance associated with risky sexual behavior. Cocaine and crack use elevate risk 3.8 times, present in 18% of cases, with crack cocaine use particularly associated with sex-for-drugs exchanges that facilitate transmission. Polysubstance use, involving multiple drugs, creates the highest risk at 5.2 times baseline, affecting 28% of cases. Injection drug use contributes both through sexual risk behaviors and through networks where STI screening is limited, increasing risk 2.9-fold and present in 12% of cases. The intersection of substance use disorders and syphilis transmission requires integrated interventions combining addiction treatment, harm reduction services, sexual health education, and accessible STI screening within substance use treatment programs.

Syphilis Awareness and Education in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2024, National STI Awareness Surveys 2024-2025

Public awareness and knowledge about syphilis remain alarmingly low despite the escalating epidemic, creating substantial barriers to prevention and early detection. Only 42% of the general population can correctly identify syphilis as a bacterial STI that requires medical treatment, far below the 80% target necessary for effective public health messaging. Symptom recognition is even more troubling, with just 28% of adults able to identify the characteristic painless sore or chancre that marks primary syphilis, meaning most infections go unrecognized until progression to more serious stages.

Knowledge about appropriate testing frequency remains limited, with only 35% of sexually active adults aware of recommendations for annual screening among those with risk factors and quarterly testing for very high-risk groups including MSM. Treatment awareness is slightly better at 51%, but nearly half of adults do not know that syphilis is curable with antibiotics, potentially delaying care-seeking. Most concerning, only 38% of individuals of reproductive age understand that syphilis during pregnancy causes congenital syphilis, representing a critical knowledge gap contributing to the crisis. The highest awareness levels exist among PrEP users at 68%, though even this population has knowledge gaps. Addressing these awareness deficits requires comprehensive public education campaigns, enhanced sex education in schools, provider training to promote patient education, culturally appropriate messaging for diverse communities, social media campaigns targeting young adults, and stigma reduction efforts to normalize STI testing and treatment as routine healthcare.

Syphilis Stigma and Barriers to Care in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: American Journal of Public Health Qualitative Studies 2024, CDC Healthcare Access Surveys 2024-2025

Stigma, shame, and structural barriers represent major obstacles preventing individuals from accessing syphilis testing and treatment, perpetuating transmission and disease progression. An overwhelming 67% of individuals at risk for STIs report that stigma and shame surrounding sexual health create delays in testing, with average postponement of 3-6 months after symptom onset or risk exposure. This stigma is particularly acute for marginalized populations including MSM, sex workers, people who use drugs, and communities of color who face compounded discrimination.

Lack of health insurance affects 28% of individuals with syphilis, creating significant financial barriers to accessing diagnosis and treatment even when services are theoretically available. Transportation challenges impact 42%, particularly in rural areas and among low-income populations, leading to missed appointments and incomplete treatment courses. Confidentiality concerns prevent 53% from seeking care at local clinics, with fears about privacy breaches, mandatory reporting, and judgment from providers or community members. On the provider side, 35% of healthcare workers report discomfort discussing sexual health or lack training in LGBTQ+ cultural competency, resulting in inadequate screening and missed opportunities for diagnosis. Language barriers affect 18% primarily among immigrant and refugee populations where interpretation services are limited. Incarceration history, affecting 31% of individuals in high-burden communities, creates lasting distrust of healthcare systems and authority figures. Addressing these barriers requires destigmatization campaigns, expanded insurance coverage, mobile testing services, guaranteed confidentiality protections, comprehensive provider training, multilingual services, and community-based care delivery models that center dignity and respect.

Technology and Innovation in Syphilis Control in the US 2024-2025

Data Source: Journal of Medical Internet Research 2024, Digital Health Innovation Reports 2025, CDC Technology Assessment 2024-2025

Technology and innovation are transforming syphilis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment through multiple digital health solutions. At-home test kits representing 12% of all syphilis tests in 2024 enable individuals to test privately without visiting clinics, with results available in 15-30 minutes or sent to laboratories for confirmation. These kits are particularly valuable for reaching individuals who face stigma, transportation barriers, or confidentiality concerns, with distribution through mail order, community organizations, and vending machines in high-traffic locations.

Telemedicine services have expanded dramatically, with 28% of STI consultations now conducted virtually, allowing individuals to discuss symptoms, receive test orders, and obtain treatment prescriptions without in-person visits. This innovation proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues expanding access for rural populations and those with mobility limitations. Partner notification apps are being piloted in several jurisdictions, representing 8% of partner notifications, allowing individuals to anonymously notify sexual contacts of potential exposure through text messages or app notifications. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are deployed in five major health systems to analyze electronic medical records and identify individuals at high risk who would benefit from screening, generating automated prompts for providers. Electronic medical records integration in 72% of STI clinics improves disease surveillance, tracks treatment completion, and enables population health management. Text message reminder systems engage 45% of patients, sending appointment reminders, medication adherence prompts, and follow-up test notifications, significantly improving treatment completion rates. These technologies, while promising, require continued investment, evaluation, and attention to digital equity to ensure they reduce rather than exacerbate disparities.

Future Projections for Syphilis in the US 2025-2030

Data Source: CDC Epidemiological Modeling Studies 2024, National Academies of Sciences Health Projections 2025

Future projections for the syphilis epidemic vary dramatically depending on the level of sustained commitment to prevention and control efforts. Under an optimistic scenario with enhanced funding, expanded screening, widespread implementation of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, improved prenatal care, and continued public health investment, primary and secondary syphilis cases could decline to 25,000 by 2030, representing a 40% reduction from current levels. Congenital syphilis could drop even more dramatically to 1,500 cases, a 62% decline, if universal prenatal screening with treatment is achieved.

The baseline scenario, assuming current efforts continue without major expansion or contraction, projects relative stability with approximately 42,000 primary and secondary cases and 4,200 congenital syphilis cases by 2030, representing modest improvements but maintaining unacceptably high disease burden. However, a pessimistic scenario marked by funding cuts, reduced public health capacity, declining screening rates, and treatment disruptions could drive cases to 65,000 primary and secondary infections and 7,500 congenital syphilis cases, representing increases of 57% and 90% respectively and overwhelming healthcare systems. The optimistic scenario requires sustained annual funding of $1.2 billion and achieving 85% testing coverage among high-risk populations. Current trajectories suggest the baseline scenario is most likely unless significant policy changes and resource commitments are made. The choice between these futures depends on political will, resource allocation, and societal commitment to sexual health as a fundamental component of public health.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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