Get Tested During STI Awareness Week
April 12-18 is Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Awareness Week. McLaren Health Plan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) would like to remind and encourage members and Michigan residents to advocate for their sexual health and get tested for STIs regularly. Syphilis is a key focus in Michigan this year. A recent press release from MDDHHS emphasizes that awareness, early detection and prompt treatment are key.
“Syphilis is preventable and treatable,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Regular testing, open conversations with partners and providers, and timely treatment are critical to protecting your health and preventing serious complications. Taking these steps is essential to reversing current trends and safeguarding the health of our communities.”
According to MDHHS, in Michigan, preliminary 2025 data show that rates of symptomatic and infectious syphilis have increased 50% over the past 10 years. If left untreated, syphilis can affect one’s organs and nervous system, and increase the risk of getting other STIs, including HIV. While most syphilis cases occur among gay and bisexual men, the proportion of syphilis cases among straight men and women has risen rapidly.
There has also been an increase in syphilis among pregnant women, leading to a rise in congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis occurs when the infection passes to babies during pregnancy. If left untreated, this can lead to serious health complications for the baby, including death. There were 58 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2024, which was the highest total number of cases in Michigan in more than 30 years.
Need testing? Contact your provider or call Customer Service: 888-327-0671 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Syphilis testing and treatment are also available at little to no cost through local health departments. Remember to get tested for syphilis regularly if you are sexually active. To prevent cases of congenital syphilis, pregnant women should seek early prenatal care with recommended syphilis screening in the first and third trimesters to help ensure timely treatment and partner notification when diagnosed.
More information about syphilis testing, treatment, prevention resources and partner services are available by visiting the MDHHS Stop Syphilis website. Information and resources on other STIs can be found at Michigan.gov/HIVSTI.
Click here to read the full MDHHS press release.