mon t m e d s o c .c om congenital syphilis (which occurs when the infection is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby) increased by 6 percent. Women still account for less than 10 percent of new P&S syphilis infections. Turning the Tide Requires Strong, Sustained Public Health Commitment To prevent and control STDs, CDC provides support to state and local health departments for disease surveillance, contact tracing and health promotion, and other critical services. CDC also issues and maintains testing and treatment guidelines for providers so individuals get the most effective care. Maintaining and strengthening these and other STD prevention systems will be essential to respond to the recent increases. "STD prevention resources across the nation are stretched thin, and we're beginning to see people slip through the public health safety net," Dr. Mermin said. "Turning the M C M S P H Y S I C I A N 12 S P R I N G 2 0 1 7https://www.montmedsoc.com/Pages/Home.aspx https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/lowdown/