New York State Department of Health Releases New Data and Raises Awareness for Sexually Transmitted Infections During STI Awareness Week

Report Highlights Need for Targeted and Innovative Interventions to Prevent the Spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections

First-in-Nation New York State Congenital Syphilis Elimination Framework Provides Recommendations for New York State to Eliminate Congenital syphilis

Department Unveils Cutting-Edge Interactive STI Data Dashboard

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 16, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes national Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Week, April 13-19. STI Awareness Week focuses on the impact STIs have on people's lives, reducing STI-related stigma, fear and discrimination by raising awareness, promoting prevention strategies to stop the spread of STIs, encouraging individuals to be proactive about their sexual health, promoting treatment and providing educational programming.

"Sexually transmitted infections sometimes do not manifest symptoms, therefore regular screening is helpful," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "During Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Week, and all year round, I encourage people to talk to their sexual partners, find the right sexual health tools that work for them, and get regular sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment if and when needed. The Department will continue to raise awareness and provide resources and education to stop the stigma surrounding STIs and protect and promote health equity for all."

There are resources available to support individuals' sexual health, including ways to prevent or treat STIs, such as diagnostic tests, adequate treatment, vaccines and pre- and post-exposure medications like Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Expedited Partner Treatment (EPT). Medicaid and most insurance plans cover the cost of STI services. Importantly, Medicaid plays a crucial role in ensuring individuals have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, supporting their overall well-being.

The State Department of Health is proud to unveil its new STI Data Dashboard, a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance transparency and empower communities in the fight against sexually transmitted infections. By providing up-to-date, interactive data, this dashboard enables health care providers, policymakers and the public to better understand STI trends and take informed actions to improve public health outcomes.

Additionally, in February, the Department released a first-in-the-nation New York State Congenital Syphilis Elimination Framework to provide recommendations for New York State to eliminate congenital syphilis.

According to the latest New York State STI surveillance report, in 2023 the highest rates of STIs continued to be seen among young people, non-Hispanic Black individuals and men who have sex with men. Additionally, with the rise in congenital syphilis births, people who give birth are a population of concern with respect to STIs.

Primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses (the most infectious stages of syphilis) decreased by 20 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 after five consecutive years of increase, according to the surveillance report. Diagnoses among males accounted for 85 percent of primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses, with 74 percent of that group identifying as men who have sex with men. In 2023, rates of primary and secondary syphilis among females (4.5 per 100,000) increased 800 percent compared to 2014 rates (0.5 per 100,000).

Congenital syphilis remains a significant and critical concern and has continued to increase both nationally and in New York State. Congenital syphilis, which is entirely preventable, is a result of untreated syphilis infection that is transmitted in utero during pregnancy or during vaginal delivery.

In 2023, 68 diagnoses of congenital syphilis were reported statewide, a 33-percent increase from the prior year and a 152-percent increase over the last five years. Though 2024 data are preliminary, the number of congenital syphilis cases reported exceeded the 2023 counts. Individuals who are pregnant with untreated syphilis (regardless of disease stage) may transmit the disease to the unborn child, which could result in infant death, physical deformities or brain and nerve problems such as blindness or deafness of the child.

Penicillin is the first-choice treatment for every stage of syphilis and usually cures the disease. Without adequate treatment syphilis can cause blindness, threaten the bones and heart, lead to permanent mental illness and paralysis and even lead to loss of life.

The Department is also observing an increase in chlamydia diagnoses by approximately 5 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 and it continues to remain the most reported sexually transmitted infection in New York State with 109,326 diagnoses in 2023 alone. This represents a 12-percent increase from 2020, though diagnoses remain lower than pre-COVID numbers. The highest rates of chlamydia continue to be seen in females 15-24 years of age.

Gonorrhea diagnoses increased by 6 percent from 2022 to 2023. Gonorrhea rates decreased in females by 2 percent and increased in males by 10 percent when compared to 2022. Additionally, the rates were highest among males ages 20-34, and among females ages 15-24.

Though there are more than 30 different infections that are spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex, and skin-to-skin contact, the Department's STI Surveillance Report focuses on mpox (caused by a the mpox virus), which can be prevented by taking the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine, and three nationally notifiable bacterial sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis – all can be cured with antibiotics from a health care provider. However, if left untreated these infections can cause permanent damage. Some STIs can also spread through the blood by sharing intravenous drug equipment such as needles.

In addition, pregnant people with STIs may pass the infection to infants in the uterus (womb), during birth or through breast-feeding. This can result in serious health outcomes for the pregnant person and infant, including physical deformities, neurological deficiencies, stillbirths and infant death shortly after birth. Prevention, testing, treatment and knowing one's STI status are the best defense against contracting and spreading STIs. It's possible to be exposed to more than one STI at the same time without knowing it because there may be no signs or symptoms of the infection(s).

Partner services is a free and confidential program through the Department that assists in linking individuals diagnosed with STIs and their partners to testing, treatment, medical care and other services to improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of transmission to others.

All individuals who are sexually active should discuss their sexual health with a health care provider. Individuals who think they have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection should consult a health care provider immediately about prevention, testing and treatment options.

The New York State Department of Health, Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology (OSHE) is dedicated to serving as a leader in sexual health through innovative public health practice and ethical use of data to promote sexual positivity and provide resources that directly and indirectly influence everyone to live a sexually healthy life. Its vision is to: individualize and normalize sexual health; ensure the prevention, treatment and elimination of sexually transmitted infections; and implement holistic community impact.

During STI Awareness Week, please join OSHE in raising awareness about STIs and promoting sexual health for everyone.

For more information visit Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) (ny.gov) or contact the Office at stdc@health.ny.gov