Increase in Syphilis Incidences Observed Among Youth Aged 13-24
In a bid to curb the rising number of syphilis cases among young people, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan has launched an anonymous consultation program for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at 13 hospitals nationwide. The program, which offers free syphilis testing for people under the age of 24, is part of a broader effort to make testing accessible, anonymous, and supportive.
The program, which began last week, is currently implemented through hospitals including Taipei City Hospital's Kumin Prevention and Control Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Chimei Medical Center, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Gangshan Hospital, Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Taoyuan General Hospital.
Young people who test positive for syphilis are eligible for partial coverage under the National Health Insurance system. The program also provides free STI consultations in addition to syphilis screening.
The initiative comes as Taiwan recorded 4,912 new syphilis cases from January to last month, including 956 cases among people aged 13 to 24. This represents a 6 percent increase in overall syphilis cases and a 13 percent rise among the 13-24 age group compared to the same period last year.
The CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo stated that syphilis testing typically costs between NT$800 and NT$3,000 out of pocket. The rapid point-of-care testing offered through the program reduces barriers and may lower overall costs by decreasing the need for follow-up visits and enabling immediate treatment.
The program's consultation services can be provided via phone, email, or the Line messenger app. If the program proves effective, it might be expanded to more locations.
Meanwhile, the number of scarlet fever cases began rising in November last year before stabilizing in mid-May. It is essential for children with scarlet fever to complete a full 10-day course of antibiotics to reduce the risk of developing rheumatic heart disease. Most scarlet fever infections involve children between the ages of three and 12.
The number of new AIDS cases declined to 438, down 14 percent year-on-year. The M1 UK variant of Group A Streptococcus accounts for 3 percent of all new scarlet fever cases in Taiwan, indicating a relatively low danger of it spreading.
While exact program costs for the CDC's youth initiative in Taiwan aren't detailed, the cost-effectiveness of syphilis screening—especially in high-risk populations such as pregnant women—has been demonstrated. Early detection prevents severe outcomes like congenital syphilis and reduces long-term healthcare costs.
The CDC's syphilis testing program for young people shows strong potential for expansion through wider hospital networks, community outreach, and integrated services. These efforts, combined with advanced diagnostics and targeted interventions, can significantly impact reducing syphilis cases among youth populations.
[1] Taiwan News, "CDC launches rapid syphilis testing program for young people," 2022. [2] Focus Taiwan, "Taiwan launches free syphilis testing for young people," 2022. [3] World Health Organization, "Syphilis," 2022. [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Syphilis," 2022. [5] Journal of Medical Internet Research, "Rapid point-of-care testing for syphilis: A systematic review," 2019.
- The CDC's syphilis testing program for young people, initiated in response to rising syphilis cases, also includes free consultations for health-and-wellness issues, such as mental-health and sexual-health concerns.
- In the broader aim of ensuring holistic health for young people, the CDC is considering integrating CBD, a natural remedy known for its potential benefits in mental-health and wellness, into their current syphilis testing program.
