Despite Soaring Syphilis Outbreak, No STI Funding Increase in Biden FY ‘25 Budget Request to Congress 

The work of a federal HHS syphilis taskforce is applauded, but with no new funding, US will continue to experience surge in syphilis and congenital syphilis deaths 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2024
Contact: Elizabeth Finley, [email protected], (919) 749-7309 

Washington, DC – On Monday, the White House released a FY’25 budget blueprint that failed to request an increase in federal STI funding at CDC despite a surging syphilis outbreak with dire consequences for babies born with congenital syphilis. The nation has recorded a 183% increase in congenital syphilis in just five years, resulting in 287 stillbirths and infant deaths in 2022 alone. In response, David C. Harvey, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), issued the following statement: 

“We applaud the newly established federal syphilis taskforce chaired by Admiral Levine for adopting a whole-of-government approach to fighting syphilis. But without more funding, the task force will be severely restricted in what it can accomplish.” 

“The STI field is facing a shortage of Bicillin L-A due to missteps by Pfizer, the drug’s sole U.S. manufacturer, resulting in rationing of the optimal treatment of syphilis and the only form of penicillin that can treat congenital syphilis. The STI field is also facing layoffs this year of the public health workforce that fights STIs due to the $400 million rescission enacted in last year’s debt ceiling legislation. Coupled with no funding increases in the next fiscal year, STIs will continue their march through vulnerable American communities. The federal government and CDC lack the resources to support an adequate public health response, and we will look to Congress to address this shortfall.” 

“Yesterday, CDC Director Mandy Cohen issued a budget statement saying that ‘CDC is committed to protecting the health and improving the lives of every American in every community across the country.’ I respectively disagree – we are not reaching every American across the country to prevent STIs, with babies and their families paying the heavy price of lifelong disabilities or death due to congenital syphilis.” 

“I look forward to working with Dr. Cohen and other leaders within the Administration on new strategies to prevent STIs and to identify other federal funding that can be leveraged to prevent STIs,” said David C. Harvey, executive director of NCSD.  

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