COURT, WITH THE FORMER MAKING THE RULING TODAY. STATE OFFICIALS SAY REPORTABLE CASES OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS. STIS ARE ON THE DECLINE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, WITH THE SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION CREDITING DISEASE PREVENTION EFFORTS. TOGETHER, WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TO ENSURE A HEALTHY PENNSYLVANIA FOR ALL THE STATE’S TOP HEALTH OFFICIAL, DOCTOR DEBORAH BOGDAN SAID DURING A VISIT TO THE HAMILTON HEALTH CENTER IN DAUPHIN COUNTY THAT STIS LIKE GONORRHEA, CHLAMYDIA AND SYPHILIS ARE BEING DIAGNOSED IN DWINDLING NUMBERS YEAR TO YEAR, SOMETHING HEALTH EXPERTS ARE HIGHLIGHTING SPECIFICALLY IS CASES OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS IN INFANTS PASSED DOWN BY THE MOTHER. THERE HAS BEEN A 28% DECREASE IN THOSE CASES, WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYING IT’S BECAUSE OF THEIR DISEASE INTERVENTION. PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS WHO HELPED ENSURE 90% OF SYPHILIS PATIENTS RECEIVE TREATMENT WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF CONFIRMED INFECTION. OUR GOAL, OF COURSE, IS TO HAVE NO CASES OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS, AND FOR THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S STAFF COLLABORATE WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS, INCLUDING PRIVATE PRACTICES, HOSPITALS, STATE HEALTH CENTERS, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND FAMILY PLANNING PROVIDERS TO ENSURE ALL PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVE TESTING AND TREATMENT FOR SYPHILIS, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS, THEIR WORK RESULTS IN OVER 80% 85% OF PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH SYPHILIS GETTING TIMELY TREATMENT WITHIN 14 DAYS OF TESTING, AND THIS HELPS REDUCE SYPHILIS INFECTION SPREADING FURTHER IN OUR COMMUNITY. STI TESTING, TREATMENT AND
Pennsylvania reports decline in STI cases, including congenital syphilis
Updated: 5:53 PM EDT Apr 20, 2026
Pennsylvania health officials announced a statewide decline in reportable cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), citing disease prevention efforts as a key factor. Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s top health official, said during a visit to the Hamilton Health Center in Dauphin County that STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are being diagnosed in dwindling numbers year over year. Health experts emphasize a 28% decrease in syphilisHealth experts are emphasizing a 28% decrease in cases of congenital syphilis in infants, which is passed down from the mother.The Pennsylvania Department of Health attributed this progress to its disease intervention professionals, who ensured that 90% of syphilis patients received treatment within two weeks of confirmed infection. “Our goal, of course, is to have no cases of congenital syphilis. And for that, we need to continue our collective efforts. The Department of Health staff collaborate with medical providers, including private practices, hospitals, state health centers, federally-qualified health centers and family planning providers to make sure all pregnant women receive testing, and treatment for syphilis according to the latest recommendations.”Their work results in over 85% of people diagnosed with syphilis getting timely treatment within 14 days of testing and this helps reduce syphilis infections spreading further in our communities”, Bogen said. STI testing, treatment, and referral services are available for free at 59 state health centers across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania health officials announced a statewide decline in reportable cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), citing disease prevention efforts as a key factor.
Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s top health official, said during a visit to the Hamilton Health Center in Dauphin County that STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are being diagnosed in dwindling numbers year over year.
Health experts emphasize a 28% decrease in syphilis
Health experts are emphasizing a 28% decrease in cases of congenital syphilis in infants, which is passed down from the mother.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health attributed this progress to its disease intervention professionals, who ensured that 90% of syphilis patients received treatment within two weeks of confirmed infection.
“Our goal, of course, is to have no cases of congenital syphilis. And for that, we need to continue our collective efforts. The Department of Health staff collaborate with medical providers, including private practices, hospitals, state health centers, federally-qualified health centers and family planning providers to make sure all pregnant women receive testing, and treatment for syphilis according to the latest recommendations.
“Their work results in over 85% of people diagnosed with syphilis getting timely treatment within 14 days of testing and this helps reduce syphilis infections spreading further in our communities”, Bogen said.
STI testing, treatment, and referral services are available for free at 59 state health centers across Pennsylvania.