Syphilis is rising across the U.S. Here’s how one indigenous community is leading the fight against infections. [Video]

Syphilis is back on the rise across the United States after being nearly eliminated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But in the Navajo Nation, a solution to curbing the now national epidemic is emerging.

The sexually transmitted infection can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. 

Syphilis cases skyrocketed in the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STD prevention budget dropped, data shows. In 2003, the budget was around $169 million and there were about 34,000 cases in the U.S. In 2023, the budget was roughly $80 million and there were about 209,000 cases nationwide.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration began layoffs across multiple federal health agenciesincluding the CDC. While it’s unclear exactly how the cuts will impact STD programs, the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention is affected, in addition to programs for reproductive health, maternal and …