The Rise of Congenital Syphilis as a Public Health Emergency

Abstract

Even though affordable, safe, and effective tools for diagnosing and preventing congenital syphilis have been available for decades, in the past 10 years, the incidence of congenital syphilis has increased by more than 1,000% in the United States. Driven by a lack of access to equitable care—particularly for underserved communities—low clinician and patient awareness, and the unresolved national shortage of benzathine penicillin G, the dramatic rise in incidence of syphilis constitutes a public health emergency. Such a declaration would permit mobilization of the necessary resources to counteract the rising rates of congenital syphilis. It is essential that our political leadership act now, before countless families and communities are further affected.