Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a new, multiyear initiative to slash the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Chicago, starting with a task force of medical and community experts that will create a comprehensive action plan to reduce new primary and secondary syphilis cases, the most infectious stages of disease in men and pregnant women. The Syphilis Task Force will be a partnership co-led by CDPH and community organizations, which will work together to develop strategies that are scientifically sound, community oriented and focused on populations and geographic areas disproportionately impacted by syphilis. The syphilis task force is the first step of the multiyear initiative to curb STIs across the city. While HIV rates are declining, other STIs are on the rise across the nation. In 2018, Chicago had 30,608 chlamydia cases (the highest on record), 12,679 gonorrhea cases (the highest in a decade) and 877 primary and secondary syphilis cases (the highest since the mid-1990s). The syphilis figure represents an 11 percent rise over the previous year, with a disproportionate effect on gay and bisexual men. In addition, women saw a 38 percent increase between 2017 and 2018, which could lead to more babies acquiring congenital syphilis (CS). Without proper treatment, syphilis can lead to neurological damage, blindness, deafness, dementia, stroke and permanent damage to vital organs.