At a glance
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance Report 2023, Doxy PEP locator site, public comment period for Updated HIV Screening Guidelines, TB Elimination Alliance, HHS Minority HIV/AIDS Fund and more
From the director
On November 12th, CDC released Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance, 2023. There were more than 2.4 million STIs reported in the United States last year but there are promising signs that the gonorrhea and syphilis epidemics are slowing:
- Gonorrhea decreased for the second year in a row, down 7% since 2022 and 15% since 2021.
- Overall, syphilis increased by only 1% after years of double-digit annual increases.
- Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis declined for the first time in more than two decades, down 10% since 2022.
- P&S syphilis declined 13% among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). This is the first decline since national reporting began among MSM in the mid-2000s.
- Congenital syphilis increased 3%, down from the 30% increases of past years.
While these data trends are encouraging it is important to note that reportable STIs are 90% higher than 20 years ago and congenital syphilis is still seven times higher than a decade ago. There are also some populations and areas that remain disproportionately affected by these infections.
Together, we can keep the momentum going including finding ways to reach people where they are with new innovations like doxy PEP, continuing research and investment, and ensuring STIs become and remain a top priority.
New product offerings
Doxy PEP Locator Site
CDC's National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) has just launched its new doxy PEP locator site – FindDoxyPEP.cdc.gov. Join our doxy PEP provider network and strengthen our ability to help patients find care. To sign up, go to: https://npin.cdc.gov/organization/submit
Public comment period for Updated HIV Screening Guidelines is now open
CDC is accepting public comments on draft, updated HIV Screening Recommendations in Clinical Settings. These recommendations are now posted to the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period, ending on January 2, 2025.
American Medical Association: Community of Practice for HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis Screening
Attention Physicians: Are you working in Emergency Departments or Community Health Centers? Are you routinely screening for HIV, STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia), viral hepatitis and/or LTBI?
The American Medical Association (AMA), with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is seeking physicians to join a soon-to-launch Community of Practice. This Community of Practice will convene participating members with experienced physicians and subject matter experts in this field to support implementation of the strategies and best practices outlined in the AMA's HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and LTBI Routine Screening Toolkit. The Community of Practice (CoP) will run from March – August 2025 and include case-based tele-mentoring sessions, monthly office hours, and ongoing opportunities to engage with other members and experts to ask questions and get personalized feedback. Members should have administrative buy-in and a physician champion to lead their participation.
For consideration, please fill out the interest form by January 10, 2025. CoP member sites will be announced by February 3, 2025.
Spanish Language Mpox Vaccine: Promotion Materials Toolkit
National Coalition on Sexual Health published the Spanish language version of the Mpox Vaccine: Promotion Materials Toolkit. Click on the link for more information.
News media updates
CDC Announces Continued Partnership with TB Elimination Alliance
CDC is pleased to announce that they will continue their work with the TB Elimination Alliance partners (Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Stop TB USA, and Hep B United) through the next cycle of the National Partners Cooperative Agreement. To learn more about TEA, visit the TEA website.
HHS Minority HIV/AIDS Fund
CDC has awarded funding to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Washington to explore innovative sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention strategies: 1) implementation of doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP); and 2) HIV and syphilis point-of-care testing (POCT). This work has been made possible by an investment from the HHS Minority HIV/AIDS Fund (MHAF) and recipients will receive a total of $4.8 million in year one of the projects. To read more, see HHS Minority HIV/AIDS Fund investment.
World AIDS Day
December 1 is World AIDS Day, an annual observance to remember the more than 32 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness. On November 29, 2024, Robyn Neblett Fanfair, MD, MPH and I shared a letter with colleagues to acknowledge the occasion and highlight CDC's efforts to prevent new HIV infections. Read more about CDC's World AIDS Day news and events.