Pennsylvania health officials report declining rates of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea between 2024 and 2025, marking progress after a sharp increase during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. State health centers now provide free STI counseling, testing, and treatment at 59 locations in counties without local health departments.
Progress on Three Fronts
Gonorrhea cases dropped from 1,153 in 2024 to 990 in 2025. Syphilis infections also declined, with primary cases and secondary cases both dropping by nearly 30%. The state recorded 16 congenital syphilis cases in both 2024 and 2025. However, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen noted that significant disparities remain, particularly among young adults, people of color, and men who have sex with men.
Delaware County’s Comprehensive Approach
Delaware County, where STI rates became a leading reason to establish a local health department in 2022, has expanded access through multiple channels. The Test & Go kiosk program provides free condoms, STI and HIV test kits, naloxone, and other health products at five public locations, allowing anonymous home testing. The county expanded clinic hours in Chester and Yeadon, established a dedicated STI and HIV unit for partner notification and follow-up, and partnered with colleges including Widener University and Swarthmore College for free on-campus testing. A designated teen clinic operates every other Tuesday in Chester, offering a safe space for those age 13 and older to access testing and treatment without parental consent.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://whyy.org/articles/sti-case-rates-drop-pennsylvania/