Syphilis News

Syphilis is a chronic bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI); the syphilis syndemic refers to the clustering of syphilis, congenital syphilis, substance use disorder, mental illness, and other STIs including HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. SAMHSA has issued a Dear Colleagues letter about the use of grant funds to address the syphilis syndemic. Please refer to the list of resources below for additional information.

Strategic Plans and Calls to Action

• STI National Strategic Plan Overview
• STI National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Toolkit

General Facts and Information

• About Syphilis
• HHS Resources on Sexually Transmitted Infections

Training

• National STD Curriculum
• NNPTC’s Clinical Consultation Network for licensed healthcare professionals and STD program staff
• Integrating Syphilis Programming Into Behavioral Healthcare Settings (One hour, 28 minutes): A webinar on SAMHSA’s funding and resources to address the syphilis syndemic and a detailed examination of congenital syphilis including an overview of syphilis (causes, transmission, stages), diagnosis and treatment options, trends, and resources that medical providers and behavioral health practitioners may use to meet the needs of individuals seeking services.

Screening, Testing, and Treatment

• STI Treatment Guidelines
• Guidelines and Best Practices and STD Treatment (Tx) Guide App
• CDC STI Screening Recommendations
• CDC's National HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Testing
• State Prenatal Syphilis Screenings Laws and Regulations
• Screening Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force STI Screening Recommendations for Syphilis Infections in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults
• Provider Resources to STI Treatment: Mobile App; Wall Chart; Pocket Guide

At-risk Populations

• Evidence-Based Toolkits for Rural Community Health
• Reduce the syphilis rate in females
• Reduce the syphilis rate in men who have sex with men

Pregnancy

• About Congenital Syphilis
• Blog: Effective Public Health Approaches to Reducing Congenital Syphilis
• Mother-to-child Transmission of Syphilis

People Impacted by the Criminal Justice System

• CDC Guidance and Resources for Correctional Settings
• Summary of CDC Recommendations for Correctional Settings
• Syndemic Approach to STD 340B Correctional Facility Partnerships for Health Department Programs (PDF | 372 KB)