Syphilis Testing and Prevention Videos
April 14, 2025
Syphilis rates and congenital syphilis are rising, and both public health and health care play a critical role in early detection, treatment, and prevention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent transmission of syphilis to the baby and improve health outcomes for all. ASTHO, in collaboration with KFF’s GREATER THAN initiative and CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, provides a call to action to emergency room and urgent care providers on syphilis testing for pregnant patients. Watch the videos now to inform and strengthen your response to syphilis.
Three of the videos below include the CDC/Greater Than/ASTHO logos. The other three videos include the Greater Than/ASTHO logos only. Depending on jurisdiction preference, please use the videos that best fit the needs of your agency.
Video Logos: CDC/Greater Than/ASTHO
Prevention and Testing for Congenital Syphilis
In this video, ASTHO, in collaboration with KFF’s GREATER THAN initiative and CDC’s LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER campaign, provides essential information for emergency room and urgent care providers on testing for and prevention of congenital syphilis. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist with extensive expertise in the prevention and clinical management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, is the featured speaker. He previously served as the Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Transcript
Leandro Mena, MD, MPH:
We have seen historic increases in the case of congenital syphilis, which is a syphilis that happens when mothers who are infected with syphilis pass the infection in uterus during the pregnancy, and the result can be miscarriage or stillbirth.
The good news is that congenital syphilis can be prevented.
(light groovy music)
Prevention and Testing of Syphilis during Pregnancy
In this video, ASTHO, in collaboration with KFF’s GREATER THAN initiative and CDC’s LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER campaign, provides a call to action for emergency room and urgent care providers on testing for and prevention of syphilis. Charlene Flash, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician, is the featured speaker. She is the president and CEO of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease at Baylor College of Medicine.
Transcript
Charlene Flash, MD, MPH:
Congenital syphilis is 100% preventable. I mean, it's treated by the oldest antibiotic known to man, penicillin. We need to make sure that people have access to testing and people have access to treatment, and that we don't delay.
(upbeat music)
Prevención y Pruebas de la Sífilis Congénita
En este video, ASTHO, en colaboración con la iniciativa GREATER THAN de KFF y la campaña DETENGAMOS JUNTOS el VIH de los CDC, ofrece información esencial para profesionales de la salud en salas de emergencia y atención de urgencias sobre las pruebas y la prevención de la sífilis congénita. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, especialista en enfermedades infecciosas con amplia experiencia en la prevención y el manejo clínico de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) y el VIH, es el orador principal. Anteriormente, se desempeñó como Director de la División de Prevención de ETS en los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC).
Transcript
Leandro Mena, MD, MPH:
En los casos de sífilis congénita, la mujer embarazada transmite la sífilis a su bebé. Los bebés pueden nacer muertos o perderse durante el embarazo. La sífilis congénita puede prevenirse simplemente con una prueba de sífilis y tratamiento que recibe la madre por lo menos 30 días antes del nacimiento del bebé.
Video Logos: Greater Than/ASTHO
Prevención y Pruebas de la Sífilis Congénita
En este video, ASTHO, en colaboración con la iniciativa GREATER THAN de KFF, ofrece información esencial para profesionales de la salud en salas de emergencia y atención de urgencias sobre las pruebas y la prevención de la sífilis congénita. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, especialista en enfermedades infecciosas con amplia experiencia en la prevención y el manejo clínico de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) y el VIH, es el ponente principal. Anteriormente, se desempeñó como Director de la División de Prevención de ETS en los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC).
Transcript
Leandro Mena, MD, MPH:
En los casos de sífilis congénita, la mujer embarazada transmite la sífilis a su bebé. Los bebés pueden nacer muertos o perderse durante el embarazo. La sífilis congénita puede prevenirse simplemente con una prueba de sífilis y tratamiento que recibe la madre por lo menos 30 días antes del nacimiento del bebé.
Prevention and Testing for Congenital Syphilis
In this video, ASTHO, in collaboration with KFF’s GREATER THAN initiative, provides essential information for emergency room and urgent care providers on testing for and prevention of congenital syphilis. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist with extensive expertise in the prevention and clinical management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, is the featured speaker. He previously served as the Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Transcript
Leandro Mena, MD, MPH:
We have seen historic increases in the case of congenital syphilis, which is a syphilis that happens when mothers who are infected with syphilis pass the infection in uterus during the pregnancy, and the result can be miscarriage or stillbirth.
The good news is that congenital syphilis can be prevented.
(light groovy music)
Prevention and Testing for Syphilis During Pregnancy
In this video, ASTHO, in collaboration with KFF’s GREATER THAN initiative, provides a call to action for emergency room and urgent care providers on testing for and prevention of syphilis. Charlene Flash, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician, is the featured speaker. She is the president and CEO of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease at Baylor College of Medicine.
Transcript
Charlene Flash, MD, MPH:
Congenital syphilis is 100% preventable. I mean, it's treated by the oldest antibiotic known to man, penicillin. We need to make sure that people have access to testing and people have access to treatment, and that we don't delay.
(upbeat music)
This information is shared for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at the time of filming. Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions.