LANSING — Infectious syphilis cases in Michigan have declined for three consecutive years, with a 29% decrease in diagnoses since 2021, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The department stated in an August 28 news release that the most significant drops were recorded in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties through the first half of 2025.
While the downward trend is encouraging, syphilis rates remain historically high compared to a decade ago after rising sharply between 2014 and 2021.
“We are encouraged to see the significant progress Michigan has made in reducing syphilis rates through strong partnerships, innovative public health strategies and expanded access to prevention and treatment,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, said in a statement. “But these numbers also highlight the continued urgency of our work, especially around congenital syphilis.”
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis showed that 62% of congenital syphilis cases were averted by public health measures nationally, while Michigan averted 71% of cases.
State officials credit local health departments, health care providers, community organizations, social services agencies, correctional facilities and pharmacies for expanding testing, treatment adherence and patient education. The department has also invested in rapid testing, media campaigns, provider education, follow-up care for women of childbearing age and biomedical interventions such as doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis.
Despite the overall decline, cases have increased in some areas outside Southeast Michigan, and women have seen smaller decreases than men. Congenital syphilis cases have risen 38% since 2021, leveling off with 55 births in 2023, 58 in 2024 and an expected 50 to 60 births this year.
More information and trend data are available at Michigan.gov/HIVSTI.