Ending Preventable Epidemics

Various units within the Office of Health Equity and Human Rights oversee a number of initiatives addressing preventable public health epidemics such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C, and Congenital Syphilis.

HIV

On June 29, 2014, New York State announced its three-point plan to end the AIDS epidemic in New York State. The goal was to achieve the first ever decrease in HIV prevalence in New York State by the end of 2020.

The three-point plan:

  1. Identifies persons with HIV who remain undiagnosed and links them to health care.
  2. Links and retains persons diagnosed with HIV in health care to maximize virus suppression so they remain healthy and prevent further transmission.
  3. Facilitates access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk persons to keep them HIV negative.

Ending the Epidemic (ETE) in New York State will maximize the availability of life-saving, transmission-interrupting treatment for HIV, saving lives and improving the health of New Yorkers. It will move New York from a history of having the worst HIV epidemic in the country to a future where new infections are rare and those living with the disease have normal lifespans with few complications.

In 2020, New Yorkers faced an unprecedented challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shift in focus for both the State and the providers on the frontline, disrupting services. During the height of the pandemic, there was an increase in HIV cases in certain parts of the state, significant reductions in HIV testing and reporting of diagnoses, and decreases in the number of persons accessing PrEP. As a result, New York State is revising the ETE timeline outlined in the Ending the Epidemic Beyond 2020 - Addendum Report (PDF) and pledges to reach ETE goals and end the epidemic by the end of 2024, with outcomes measuring ETE progress available by December 2025.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is the most common bloodborne infection, a common reason for liver transplant, one of the leading causes of liver cancer, and a major cause of infectious disease-related death in the United States. Current medications cure almost everyone. Learn more about Hepatitis C.

In November 2021, New York State Department of Health reaffirmed its commitment to addressing hepatitis C with the release of the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan (PDF). The Hepatitis C Elimination Plan outlines recommendations in five key areas that will lead the state to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem by 2030, including: 1) Prevention; 2) Care and Treatment Access; 3) Testing and Linkage to Care; 4) Surveillance, Data and Metrics; and 5) Social Determinants.

A virtual meeting for the first Annual New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report is scheduled for May 10, 2023 to report on progress toward reaching New York State's elimination goals and metrics, and to share programmatic, policy and other significant accomplishments, as well as discuss what more is needed to further advance elimination efforts. Learn more about the May 10, 2023 virtual meeting

A series of virtual regional discussion sessions open to the public were held to promote the Plan.

Syphilis During Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis

Syphilis cases among newborns are rising sharply across the United States — including here in New York. Congenital syphilis, which occurs when a pregnant person with untreated syphilis passes the infection to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, can cause serious health complications and potentially life-threatening health complications for both the pregnant person and the baby. The good news: every case is preventable with timely testing and treatment.

As of May 3, 2024, New York State requires a third trimester syphilis test for all pregnant persons under Public Health Law §2308. Previously, testing was only required at the first prenatal visit and at delivery.

With this update, at least three syphilis screenings are now required during pregnancy. Additional testing may be appropriate based on individual risk and should be determined through shared decision-making between the patient and provider.

Learn more about congenital syphilis and syphilis (PDF).

  • For more information about sexually transmitted infection testing speak with a health care provider.
  • You can access sexual health services, including finding a sexually transmitted infection provider, by visiting the Provider Directory.

NYSDOH Resources

Additional Resources

  • CDC Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis
  • National STD Curriculum: CDC-supported web-based training for clinicians
  • Clinical Education Initiative (CEI) is: a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute program offering progressive continuing medical education to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists to enhance their capacity to deliver high-quality healthcare services and to improve patient health outcomes. CEI offers free, continuing education (CE) accredited, online and live trainings, conferences, intensive preceptorships, clinical technical assistance (TA) and tools, on HIV Primary Care and Prevention, Sexual Health, Hepatitis C treatment, and Drug User Health.
  • Sexual Health Center of Excellence: 866-637-2342 to access expert medical consultation on diagnosis, treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections (STI)