NCSD APPLAUDS U.S. SENATE FOR PROTECTING FUNDING FOR CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS

U.S. Senate’s FY’24 Appropriations Bill Maintains Funding for STI Programs, Includes Bold Provision To Address STI Epidemic

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2023

Contact: Elizabeth Finley, efinley@ncsddc.org, (919) 749-7309

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress prepares appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024, David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), issued the following statement applauding the Senate for its commitment to helping curb the STI epidemic in the U.S. through maintained funding for STI programs and calling for further support to enact the STI Federal Implementation Plan to curb this growing public health crisis:

“We are pleased that the Senate’s FY‘24 appropriations bill has maintained existing funding for STI programs, and includes language throughout the bill that pushes forward critical innovations like home testing, STI clinical services, and new measures to combat congenital syphilis. In releasing a bill that addresses the STI epidemic from multiple vantage points, Congress has instructed the administration to step up and do more to address STIs.   

“This is a step in the right direction, but the reality is that it does not go far enough to confront the out-of-control STI epidemic in America. The gravity of the crisis demands more, and we must do more. The STI field is still reeling from a massive loss of funding to a part of the workforce, Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) – as part of the debt ceiling deal struck earlier this year. STI rates continue to skyrocket and disproportionately harm our most vulnerable communities.  

“To maintain the status quo and hope for the best is just that – hope – not a strategy. We need funding and resources now more than ever. NCSD will continue to fight for additional funding for life-saving STI programs as negotiations continue in the House and the Senate.”

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Background: The STI Epidemic in the U.S. 

In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its 2021 STD Surveillance Data showing that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have reached a new record high for the eighth year in a row. Among the findings, the data indicates a 74% increase in syphilis over five years, as well as 2,800 congenital syphilis cases in 2021, including 220 that resulted in infant deaths. The data also shows chlamydia rates that have risen up to pre-pandemic levels after cases went undetected during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About The National Coalition of STD Directors

The National Coalition of STD Directors is a national public health membership organization representing health department STD directors, their support staff, and community-based partners across 50 states, seven large cities, and eight U.S. territories. Our mission is to advance effective STD prevention programs and services across the country. NCSD does this as the voice of our membership. We provide leadership, build capacity, convene partners, and advocate. Go to ncsddc.org for more information.