Syphilis cases in the United States have reached the highest rate since 1950, with over 207,000 cases diagnosed in 2022.
Rates of syphilis have increased in every age group, including newborns, and there has been a significant rise in cases of congenital syphilis.
Factors contributing to the increase in syphilis cases include substance use, declining condom use, and a lack of sexual health clinics and staff. [ more ]
World AIDS Day: 'Sex should be pleasurable,' says NHS HIV specialist
The importance of finding pleasure in sex while staying safe and protected is emphasized by an NHS doctor in HIV medicine.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that reduces the chances of contracting HIV and is available for free through NHS sexual health services. [ more ]
WHO confirms monkeypox spreads sexually in DR Congo amid outbreak
The World Health Organization has confirmed sexual transmission of monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time, which could make it more difficult to stop the disease.
Monkeypox has been endemic in parts of Central and West Africa for decades, mostly transmitted to humans from infected rodents.
The recent outbreak in Congo is described as unusual and highlights the risk of the disease spreading widely among sexual networks. [ more ]
Trans boys to receive vital sex education funding under Biden
The Biden administration is funding a sexual health program for trans boys with a grant of $698,736.
Trans boys are often excluded from sexual health information and are at risk for negative sexual health outcomes, such as low condom use and higher rates of pregnancy. [ more ]