New strategies to tackle and end STIs epidemics

WHO
Sep 02, 2022

New strategies to tackle and end STIs epidemics


Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to cause high rates of infections worldwide. According to global estimates, more than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day worldwide, primarily caused by gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomonas infections. In addition, emerging outbreaks of new infections that can be acquired by sexual contact such as Monkeypox, Shigella sonnei, Neisseria meningitidis, Ebola and Zika as well as re-emergence of neglected STIs, such as lymphogranuloma venereum herald increasing challenges in the provision of adequate services for STIs prevention and control. 

When left untreated, certain STIs can lead to long-term irreversible outcomes such as chronic pelvic pain, cancers, infertility, adverse pregnancy and congenital complications, some of which can be potentially fatal. 

The 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022 agreed to the implementation of the new Global Health Sector Strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030 (GHSS). The new strategies propose a common vision to end AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and STIs by 2030.