Regional Meeting Calls on Countries in the Americas to Prioritize Syphilis Testing and Treatment

Brasília, 7 July 2025 - To reverse the increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis in the Americas and move toward the elimination of the disease, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a regional meeting from 1 to 3 July in São Paulo, Brazil. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Ministries of Health of Brazil and Paraguay and aims to strengthen the joint response of countries in the Region.

"Official data reported by countries to PAHO show that, between 2016 and 2023, congenital syphilis cases increased by 40%, with over 35,000 cases reported in the last year alone. Among the 26 countries that reported data, 19 registered an increase in the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women during the 2015-2023 period.

The situation is even more critical among vulnerable populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, sex workers, people deprived of liberty, indigenous peoples, and migrant populations. These groups face additional barriers to accessing health services, reinforcing the need for inclusive, equity-focused strategies.

For the Chief of PAHO's Unit on HIV, STIs, Tuberculosis, and Viral Hepatitis, Mónica Alonso, the numbers reflect the magnitude of the challenge faced by the Region. "The Region of the Americas has the highest incidence rate of syphilis of all regions globally, among both men and women. However, we know that syphilis is a complex issue, and that's why we must strengthen intersectoral actions starting from primary health care".

Given this context, PAHO is proposing an urgent, integrated, and coordinated response, with Primary Health Care (PHC) at the center. Expanding access to syphilis screening and treatment, both in the general population and among key populations, was one of the main strategies discussed.

During the opening session of the meeting, the General Coordinator of STI Surveillance at Brazil's Ministry of Health, Pâmela Gaspar, emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries. "Syphilis is a public health problem in Brazil and in the Americas. Being together is very important, because I'm certain we are facing many similar situations and challenges."

Along the same lines, Celeste Ramírez, from Paraguay's National HIV/STI Program, highlighted the value of regional alliances. "This is not just a technical meeting between neighboring countries. It is, above all, a space where we build alliances. I think that is the most important part of meetings like this, where each of us can contribute from its own context".