NCSD Decries Rising Infant Mortality as a Consequence of Falling Public Health Investments

Rising congenital syphilis numbers have been the canary in the coal mine for shocking new infant mortality numbers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2023
Contact: Elizabeth Finley, efinley@ncsddc.org, (919) 749-7309 

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new infant mortality data showing the first increase in the nation’s infant mortality rate in two decades. The data, which is widely considered an indicator of the nation’s health, follows a concerning rise in congenital syphilis. David C. Harvey, Executive Director of NCSD, issued the following statement:
 

“For a decade, we have been sounding the alarm on rising congenital syphilis cases, which have historically been regarded as sentinel events that are meant to alert a community to a failure of health systems. Sadly, the CDC’s new report about the first increase in the nation’s infant mortality is not surprising. Each of the 2,855 congenital syphilis cases in 2021 – including 220 infant deaths – told us that our public health systems were failing to protect babies and failing to save lives.” 

“Many observers will note that maternal mortality is complicated and has many factors. But we need to reckon with a much simpler truth: there are consequences when investments in public health are inadequate. The consequence we see right now the death of infants.”  

“This was a completely preventable disaster. These numbers call for the administration to renew investments in the public health infrastructure and for key leadership representing sexual, reproductive, and maternal health to come together to change the deadly trajectory we’re on,” said David C. Harvey, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD).  

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Background: Congenital Syphilis 

Congenital syphilis is syphilis that passes from a pregnant person the fetus during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis can cause stillbirth and profound birth defects. In 2021, more than 2800 infants were born with congenital syphilis – an increase of more than 200% in a five-year span. In 2021, 220 infant deaths were caused by congenital syphilis compared to 152 in 2020.