More straight people suffer from syphilis as cases hit highest level since 1948

The number of straight people diagnosed with syphilis is on the rise amid soaring cases of the sexually transmitted infection, new figures show.

Cases of syphilis in England are at the highest level since 1948, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Some 9,513 cases of infectious syphilis were diagnosed last year.

While the majority of cases were diagnosed among gay and bisexual men, the UKHSA said there was a larger “proportional rise” in syphilis diagnoses among heterosexual men and women.

There were 1,958 cases diagnosed among heterosexual men and women in 2023, a 22% rise from 2022 when there were 1,608 cases.

Among gay and bisexual men cases rose by 7% to 6,527 between 2022 and 2023.

The new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) statistics for England also show record numbers of gonorrhoea diagnoses.

In 2023 there were 85,223 cases diagnosed – the highest number since records began in 1918.

Overall, figures show there were 401,800 new cases of STIs diagnosed in 2023 – a rise of 4.7% since 2022.

Chlamydia cases accounted for almost half of these, with 194,970 diagnoses in 2023.

The UKHSA said the impact of STIs remains greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay men and some minority ethnic groups.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “STIs can have a major impact on your health regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation.

“The best way to reduce your risk of an infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners.

“The NHS provides free, confidential STI testing to detect any potential infections and prevent you passing them on to others.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) said the figures show the next government should implement a 10-year sexual health strategy.

The association, which represents councils which have the responsibility for commissioning sexual health services, said a long-term strategy is needed to help prevent and treat infections.

David Fothergill, from the LGA, said: “Councils want to continue encouraging more people to visit their local sexual health clinic, in particular hard-to-reach communities.

“However, today’s figures show sexual health services continue to face rising demand pressures.

“This is why we are calling for a new 10-year strategy to tackle infection rates, and ensure that sexual health services are properly funded and resourced in the long term.”

Professor Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said: “We find ourselves at a critical point for securing the viability of sexual health services.

“The worrying trajectory of new STI diagnoses are a sign of increased unmet needs for those who require sexual health care, particularly those in minoritised communities and those who might prefer face-to-face services, and underline the need for a long-awaited and much-needed strategy for sexual health.

“From recruitment challenges, to public health funding, to ensuring the right experts are supporting every clinic, the next government has an opportunity to change the tides and address these barriers to ensure everyone has timely access to expertise to support good sexual health and wellbeing.”

Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, added: “Today’s data shows a year-on-year increase of STIs and demand for services.

“This must come as a wake-up call – and with less than five weeks until the polls open, we urge the next UK Government to commit to a national strategy and funding that sets a clear direction for improving sexual health in England.”