What’s New
The latest from CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, as well as new resources, programs, and website updates.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance, 2021 (April 11, 2023)
- Announcement: CDC’s STD Director on the release of national surveillance data and trends in the U.S.
- Media Statement: Final CDC report confirms U.S. STI epidemic showed no signs of slowing in 2021 – cases continued to escalate.
- Social Media & More: Messages and graphics to help you promote the new report.
CDC Finalizes New STI Research Consortium
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director announces that CDC awarded funding to three organizations to form Sexually Transmitted Infections Impact Research Consortium (STIIRC), which will conduct studies to reverse persistent, troubling trends in reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).


Healthcare providers and health departments can now report suspected gonorrhea and Mycoplasma genitalium treatment failures to the CDC. (December 12, 2022)
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) Web Resources (November 18, 2022)
- Basic fact sheet with general information about Mgen
- Detailed fact sheet with specific information for healthcare providers
- Mgen treatment and care information for healthcare providers
The First Friday of October is National Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) Recognition Day (October 7, 2022)
- Dear Colleague Letter: A special thanks from Dr. Deron Burton, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Acting Director, and Dr. Leandro Mena, Division of STD Prevention Director.
STI Treatment (Tx) Guide Mobile App: The new app is more comprehensive, more integrated, and includes more features to help with patient care. (September 19, 2022)
- Medscape Commentary: CDC experts highlight five key changes to know about the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines. (October 12, 2022)
Preliminary 2021 STD Surveillance Data (September 1, 2022)
- Social Media & More: Messages, graphics, and other materials to help you engage with your community
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance, 2020 (April 12, 2022)
- Announcement: CDC’s STD Director on the release of national STD trends in the U.S.
- Press Release: New data suggest STDs in the U.S. continued to increase during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Social Media & More: Messages and graphics to help you promote 2020 STD surveillance data.
STD Awareness Week (April 10-16, 2022)
- STD Awareness Week Campaign Toolkit: Ideas on planning activities for the observance
- Each campaign offers a variety of premade social media graphics and customizable messages
- NEW! Prepare Before You’re There: Encourages people to make a prevention “game plan” before they’re in the “heat of the moment”
- GYT: Get Yourself Tested: Encourages young people to get tested for STDs and HIV
- Talk | Test | Treat: Encourages people and healthcare providers to take these three actions
STD Prevention and Control in 2021: A Year in Review
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director, on STD prevention and control accomplishments in 2021 and upcoming events and resources for 2022.
FDA Alert: Possible False RPR Reactivity with Syphilis Test
- Dear Colleague Letter: A note from Dr. Leandro Mena, Director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention on FDA’s recent alert about the Bio-Rad Laboratories BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR kit. (December 20, 2021)
Historic Five‐Year Investment for Disease Intervention Specialists Workforce
- Dear Colleague Letter: CDC’s Division of STD Prevention distributes $200 million to health departments for the first year of the CDC Disease Intervention Specialists Workforce Development Supplement. (September 24, 2021)
Congenital Syphilis Diagnosed Beyond the Neonatal Period in the United States: 2014-2018: New study finds 67 symptomatic infants were diagnosed with congenital syphilis beyond the neonatal period (>28 days) during this time. (August 31, 2021)
Dr. Leandro Mena is the new Director for the Division of STD Prevention
- Dear Colleague Letter: Dr. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Division of STD Prevention Director, on the future of STI prevention and joining CDC. (August 2, 2021)
Dear Colleague Letter from the Division of STD Prevention: CDC Awards $11.1 Million for HIV Prevention Services in STD Clinics.
- Dear Colleague Letter from the Division of HIV Prevention: Advancing the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative in the U.S. with a $117 Million Investment.
2021 STI Treatment Guidelines (July 22, 2021)
- Dear Colleague Letter: Raul Romaguera, DMD, MPH, Acting Director for DSTDP, on CDC’s publication of the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines, including notable screening and treatment updates.
- Provider Resources: Access print-friendly version of the wall chart, pocket guide, and guidelines.
- Recommendations for Providing Quality STD Clinical Services (STD QCS): Guidelines companion with recommendations and tools to help healthcare settings improve STD care services.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Funding to Hire and Train Public Health Workers
- Dear Colleague Letter: White House announces $1.13 billion investment to strengthen the disease intervention specialists workforce. (May 13, 2021)
Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States (January 25, 2021)
- At A Glance: STI Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States
- Social Media Materials: Messages and Graphics to Help Spread the Word
- Dear Colleague Letter: Announcement about Updated STI Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates
- Press release: CDC Estimates 1 in 5 People in the U.S. Have a Sexually Transmitted Infection
Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States: 2021-2025
- Dear Colleague Letter: HHS launches nation’s first-ever plan of its kind for STIs. (December 18, 2020)