MDHHS encourages residents to get tested during STI Awareness Week

“Regular STI testing is a critical part of maintaining overall health – yet, too often, these infections go undiagnosed and untreated. With syphilis rates rising in Michigan, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our communities,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “I encourage all Michigan residents to take charge of their sexual health by getting tested, using preventive measures like condoms and seeking timely treatment when needed. Additionally, vaccines for HPV and hepatitis A and B can help prevent other serious infections and should be part of routine health care.” 

STIs are preventable and often easily treated at little to no cost for Michigan residents through confidential testing at local health departments. To help decrease STI rates, residents are not only encouraged to test for STIs but to also use condoms, reduce the number of sexual partners and get vaccinations for hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV). 

Syphilis rates are alarmingly high in Michigan and across the country. Over the past 10 years, rates of symptomatic/infectious syphilis have increased 70% in Michigan. Most syphilis cases tend to occur in men, with gay and bisexual men disproportionately affected. However, syphilis rates among heterosexual (straight) men and women have risen rapidly as well as among people ages 20-45. 

Additionally, there has been an increase in syphilis in pregnant individuals that can be transmitted to their babies, known as congenital syphilis. If left untreated, congenital syphilis can lead to serious health complications for the baby, including death. There were 55 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2023 and 56 in 2024; the highest total number of cases in Michigan in more than 30 years. Congenital syphilis is preventable with effective prenatal care that includes testing as required during the first and third trimesters and receiving treatment before delivery, if necessary.  

Chlamydia and gonorrhea remain the most common STIs in Michigan. Teens and young adults across all demographic groups are most impacted by chlamydia and gonorrhea, with Black Michigan residents being disproportionately affected compared to white Michigan residents. Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) reduces the chance of getting bacterial STIs, specifically chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Recent studies have shown that taking doxy PEP can reduce the chance of getting syphilis and chlamydia by about three-quarters (74-88%) and gonorrhea by about half (55-57%). For more information, including Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, visit Michigan.gov/doxyPEP. 

In Michigan, those diagnosed with an STI can receive Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), an option that allows providers to streamline the process of treating partners of patients in select cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. EPT allows clinicians to provide treatment for partners without a separate visit, which also reduces the chance of patients becoming reinfected. 

Information about STI testing at local health departments, additional testing locations, EPT and other STI program data, resources and technical assistance can be found at Michigan.gov/HIVSTI. More information and resources about STIs are available on CDC’s website. 

MDHHS offers Plan First, a limited health coverage program through Medicaid, that covers family planning services including STI testing and treatment, contraceptive services and supplies, vaccines and other preconception health services. Learn more at Michigan.gov/PlanFirst. 

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