Protecting Arizona’s Future: Addressing Congenital Syphilis

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) have increased at an alarming rate in Arizona and can cause serious health problems if left untreated, especially during pregnancy.  As part of STI Awareness Week (April 13-19), we want to remind every sexually active Arizonans that we recommend annual syphilis testing. This is due to ongoing high rates of STIs.

STIs are preventable, treatable, and often curable. Since many people who are infected do not develop symptoms, it’s especially important to know your status by talking with a healthcare provider, getting tested for STIs, and receiving appropriate treatment. 

STIs are more common than some might realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 2.4 million STIs in the United States in 2023. In Arizona, we have seen more than 63,000 infections reported in 2023. STIs have been on the rise over the last several years, with Arizona experiencing a 128% increase in syphilis cases and a 244% increase of syphilis in babies between 2018-2022. Syphilis in babies, also known as congenital syphilis, occurs when syphilis is passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis was observed in more than 200 babies each year in 2022 and 2023. This is deeply concerning as 57 babies were stillborn or died in just those two years.  

Reducing the spread of STIs, including congenital syphilis, requires individual and large-scale efforts. In July 2024, the Arizona Department of Health Services launched the Arizona Congenital Syphilis Collaborative with over 100 partners to implement a multi-agency, data-driven response to address the rising rates of syphilis in babies in Arizona. This approach will be published in our Congenital Syphilis Prevention Action Plan and highlights specific actions that have begun to take place to improve testing opportunities and linkage to adequate treatment in order to slow the spread of syphilis to protect infants from this infection. 

For more information about syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as ways to protect yourself and others, please visit azdhs.gov/STI.