Congenital syphilis cases surge among Mississippi babies
USA TodayDec 24, 2022
The Facts
According to a report released Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexually transmitted infections rose in 2021, after a slight drop during the first year of the COVID pandemic.
There were more than 2.5M cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2021, the highest number in 70 years. The CDC study found that cases of syphilis have surged 32% in 2021 over 2020, and have increased by 74% over the past five years.
The Spin
Narrative A
These latest CDC numbers underscore the need for more widespread and easily accessible testing and treatment options for STIs. STIs happen to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, religion, politics, or lifestyle. With proper and timely screening, syphilis can be a treatable and curable infection.
Narrative B
Sexually transmitted diseases have reached unprecedented and epidemic proportions. It is not unreasonable to say that at the rate things are going, anyone who has sex outside of marriage is at risk of catching an STI. So-called "safe sex" education is a detriment to the health of American youth.
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