Public Health Crisis
is grappling with a significant syphilis outbreak, particularly affecting Native Americans, with rates soaring by 1,865% from 2020 to 2022 in the Great Plains region, vastly exceeding the national increase.
Despite the alarming rise in infections and the impact on newborns, tribal leaders' calls for a federal public health emergency declaration and additional resources have not been met with a decisive response.
Response and Challenges
Health officials are employing widespread testing campaigns and seeking to "divide and conquer" in their response efforts, akin to strategies used during the , but face resource limitations due to the lack of an emergency declaration.
The Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board and other leaders have repeatedly urged the for support, highlighting the urgent need for federal resources to combat the outbreak effectively.