Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pandemic Closures Contributed To Rise In Cases Of STDs
The Washington Post: Syphilis, Gonorrhea Cases Increased In 2020 As STD Rates Remain High
The number of cases of some sexually transmitted diseases increased during the first year of the pandemic, officials said Tuesday, continuing a rise seen over the last decade. Syphilis and gonorrhea cases increased in 2020, as screening clinics closed and people put off regular doctor visits, according to an annual report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday. Fewer chlamydia cases were recorded than in past years, but experts say that decrease was due to reduced testing rather than a true decline in the disease’s prevalence. (Shepherd, 4/12)
Axios: STDs Continued To Surge During The Pandemic: CDC
Although cases of chlamydia declined, this was likely due to decreased STD screenings during the pandemic causing an underdiagnosis of the ailment. Disparities in STDS persisted, with 53% of reported cases in 2020 occurring among young people aged 15–24 years old, with additional disparities among certain minorities, per a CDC national overview, which noted the differences reflect unequal access to sexual health care. (Saric, 4/12)
KHN: Babies Die As Congenital Syphilis Continues A Decade-Long Surge Across The US
For a decade, the number of babies born with syphilis in the U.S. has surged, undeterred. Data released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows just how dire the outbreak has become. In 2012, 332 babies were born infected with the disease. In 2021, that number had climbed nearly sevenfold, to at least 2,268, according to preliminary estimates. And 166 of those babies died. (Barry-Jester, 4/12)
Also —
Politico: STDs Are Surging. The Funding To Fight Them Is Not
The latest figures — part of an ongoing upward trend — follow Congress’ decision last month to provide far less funding to sexual health clinics that provide free and subsidized testing for sexually transmitted diseases, education, contraception and other services than providers say is needed to reverse the current course. (Ollstein, 4/12)
In related news about HPV and syphilis —
The Washington Post: Pandemic Led To Fewer Adolescents Vaccinated Against HPV, CDC Says
Since the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was introduced in 2006, the prevalence of the disease — a precursor to a variety of cancers — has plummeted. Despite being the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States, it has fallen by an order of magnitude. But that progress could be in jeopardy at the clinics where vaccination takes place, a new CDC study warns. The culprit? The coronavirus, which has upended nearly all aspects of health care. (Blakemore, 4/12)
