Syphilis continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the Region of the Americas. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of both syphilis and congenital syphilis. This increase disproportionately affects pregnant women, newborns, and vulnerable populations. Between 2022 and 2024, estimated cases of syphilis increased by 10% in the Region, reflecting the need to increase political commitment and strengthen timely access to diagnosis and treatment.
In July 2025, representatives from 23 countries across the Region of the Americas gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, to confront the growing challenge of syphilis and congenital syphilis. During the event, participants acknowledged the urgency of the situation and adopted the Agreement for Action: 15 Key Recommendations to Eliminate Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis. Developed collaboratively with ministries of health, academic institutions, civil society, and public health agencies, this document outlines strategic actions to strengthen the regional response to syphilis. It emphasizes sustained financing and political commitment, equitable access to diagnosis and treatment through primary care, enhanced surveillance and supply systems, and active community engagement.
In accordance with this agreement, and as part of its technical cooperation mandate, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is convening the Regional Webinar in Commemoration of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Day in the Americas, to be held on October 24, 2025. The event seeks to mobilize high-level political commitments, identify key actors, and promote the exchange of experiences and innovations to accelerate the regional response to syphilis and congenital syphilis.
Meeting Recording
Original Audio
Agenda
10:00 – 10:10
Opening and webinar moderation
Monica Alonso, Unit Chief, HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections, PAHO
Welcome remarks (3 minutes)
Jarbas Barbosa Director, PAHO
10:10 – 10:30
National Leadership: Stories of Political Commitment to the Elimination of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis
• National commitments and challenges towards elimination of congenital syphilis in Brazil (3 minutes)
- Dr. Mariângela Simão, Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment of the Ministry of Health of Brazil
• Political leadership as a driver of the national response to syphilis (3 minutes)
- Ministry of Health of Paraguay
• Innovation and partnerships to strengthen the Syphilis response (3 minutes)
- Ministry of Health of Colombia
• From national policy to cooperation between countries: the commitment to fight syphilis (3 minutes)
- Ministry of Health of Argentina
• Progress and facilitators toward eliminating congenital syphilis (3 minutes)
- Ministry of Health of El Salvador
Moderator: Mónica Alonso, PAHO
10:30 – 10:40
Experiences from the field and the community
• From the clinic to mobilization: lessons from key populations in Brazil (5 minutes)
- Vinícius Borges, Brazil (Dr. Maravilha)
• Community experiences in Jamaica: innovating in the response to syphilis and other STIs (5 minutes)
- Mr Desmond Campbell, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Jamaica
Moderator: Hortencia Peralta, PAHO
10:40 – 10:50
Transforming commitments into results: recommendations and available tools (10 minutes)
Leandro Sereno, PAHO
10:50 – 11:15
Q&A
11:15
Closure
Mónica Alonso, PAHO