The Illinois Department of Public Health has released radio public service announcements to promote awareness of congenital syphilis. The PSAs aim to educate pregnant individuals about the importance of timely testing for syphilis to prevent transmission to unborn children.
“Syphilis is a serious infection that can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, and the number of babies with the infection has been dramatically rising in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The good news is that with testing and early detection, we can make a big difference and prevent serious illness. These public service announcements have been created to encourage expectant mothers to speak with their health care providers and get the necessary testing and treatment to protect themselves and their babies.”
Congenital syphilis cases have been on the rise in Illinois and nationwide, with the number of syphilis-related stillbirths across the country climbing from 44 in 2016 to 231 in 2022. Congenital syphilis disproportionately impacts communities of color.
