STD Prevention Success Stories
Pivoting in a Pandemic: Teamwork and Technology Combine to Stop a Syphilis Outbreak in Minnesota
Veteran disease intervention specialists used virtual technology to stop a syphilis outbreak during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more than 50 years, CDC has worked with these programs to prevent the spread of STDs across the United States. This page includes STD prevention success stories made possible by these programs, as well as by CDC and other federal agencies.
CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines: Using History to Inform the Future of STD Management
Since 1972, CDC’s STI treatment guidance has helped clinicians diagnose and treat various sexually transmitted infections, based on the best scientific evidence.
Strength in Numbers: SURRG Sharpens Focus in the Quest to Stop Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea
CDC’s SURRG program combats antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea with highly-focused, collaborative partnerships.
CDC provides a comprehensive look at the latest estimates of STI prevalence, incidence, and costs.
Using a Tried-and-True Sexually Transmitted Disease Strategy to Stop the Novel Coronavirus
STD Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) have helped halt infectious disease outbreaks for more than 40 years. Learn about these vital public health teams.
Turning the Page on HIV: New CDC Initiative Fuels Progress in STD Clinics
Three CDC-funded jurisdictions scaled up HIV prevention services in STD clinics to deliver critical HIV prevention strategies to the populations who need them most.
Decoding DNA to Outsmart Gonorrhea: Modern Technology Takes on Centuries-Old Bug
Researchers in CDC’s Division of STD Prevention laboratory have developed a freely-accessible analysis tool to help all public health labs identify genes involved in drug-resistant gonorrhea.
Curbing a Syphilis Outbreak in Alaska
The Alaska Division of Public Health, CDC, and community members worked together to get to the bottom of a syphilis outbreak in Anchorage.
Preventing Congenital Syphilis in the U.S.pdf icon
Nine CDC-funded jurisdictions made great strides in establishing and activating systems to help identify and prevent congenital syphilis in their communities.
Community Connections, Nationwide Impacts: CDC’s National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers Delivers Vital Support to Clinicianspdf icon
This extensive educational and healthcare training system, with four national and eight regional training centers throughout the U.S., ensures clinicians have access to crucial clinical resources to help diagnose, treat, and prevent STDs.
Combating Congenital Syphilis in Louisiana: Going Beyond the Numbers to Save Babies’ Livespdf icon
From policy changes and case review boards to perinatal case managers and provider engagement – the Louisiana Department of Health’s STD/HIV Program is pulling out all of the stops to tackle increases in syphilis and its impact on women and babies in the state.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: Community Sexual Health Program Cultivates Leadership Skills in Youthpdf icon
Baltimore City Health Department and CDC’s Community Approaches to Reducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (or CARS) team up and empower young leaders to reach their peers about sexual health.
Keeping the Lights On: The New Project Helping STD Clinics Stay Openpdf icon
Several states are pioneering more effective time and cost-saving options to improve STD clinic operations.
Healthy Relationships, Healthy Life: College Workshops Empower Students to Protect Their Own Sexual Healthpdf icon
The Healthy Relationships program is bringing STD prevention information to college students, and helping to develop the next generation of student leaders.
Shedding Light on Disease in the US: How STD Prevention Programs Benefit from Strong Datapdf icon
CDC and STD programs throughout the country are harnessing data to boost STD prevention policies and practices.
STD Outreach in Action: Crossing the Country to Stop an HIV & Viral Hepatitis Outbreakpdf icon
Two Virginia Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) use their STD prevention skills to help halt an outbreak in Indiana.
Battling Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea: A Timeline of Coordinated Teamwork. pdf icon
Disease Intervention Specialists, STD clinic staff, and lab staff in Hawaii work together to identify and treat possible cases of drug resistant gonorrhea.
Innovative STD Prevention Campaigns at Workpdf icon
Here are two stories of STD programs in Oregon and Alaska that created innovative, buzz-worthy STD prevention campaigns to raise awareness and promote action in their communities.
Cultivating Innovation in the Fight Against Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrheapdf icon
CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) collaborate to evaluate two untested combinations of antibiotics to treat gonorrhea.
Community Health Promotion in Actionpdf icon
Rhode Island and South Los Angeles programs work closely with community members to make strides in promoting and improving sexual health.
Expedited Partner Therapy: Helping to Reduce Sexually Transmitted Infectionspdf icon
Illinois and Chicago working to expand the use of EPT to reach more partners with the medication they need.
Changing the Story of Syphilispdf icon
Two stories of Kansas and Washington State public health programs going the extra mile to prevent and treat syphilis.
Spotlight on STD Prevention and Control Programspdf icon
Key STD prevention achievements from CDC and state/local health department programs.
Public Health and Primary Care: Forging Partnerships That Matterpdf icon
California and New Hampshire programs working with primary care providers to improve the lives of people they serve.
STD Prevention Training Centers: Supporting the STD Workforcepdf icon
Two stories of PTCs in St. Louis and Denver whose innovative projects have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of providers.