New federal data released on Tuesday revealed a positive trend in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. The report indicated a notable slowdown in the syphilis epidemic, a decrease in gonorrhea cases, and chlamydia rates remaining below prepandemic levels.
The decline in syphilis cases last year marked the first substantial drop in more than two decades, with a 10% decrease in the most infectious stages. Gonorrhea cases also saw a 7% reduction, continuing a downward trend for the second consecutive year, bringing the numbers below 2019 levels.
