{"id":18408,"date":"2026-05-27T13:49:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=18408"},"modified":"2026-05-27T14:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T18:00:25","slug":"hampton-roads-health-systems-and-public-health-partners-report-significant-progress-in-regional-stop-syphilis-initiative","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/2026-regional-news-releases\/hampton-roads-health-systems-and-public-health-partners-report-significant-progress-in-regional-stop-syphilis-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Hampton Roads Health Systems and Public Health Partners Report Significant Progress in Regional \u201cStop Syphilis\u201d Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"

Date: May 27, 2026
\n<\/strong>Media Contact: Kathy Lamm
\nKathy.Lamm@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>
\nPhone: (757) 236-0529<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hampton Roads Health Systems and Public Health Partners Report Significant Progress in Regional \u201cStop Syphilis\u201d Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. \u2013 One year after launching a coordinated regional campaign against rising infection rates, the Eastern Region Stop Syphilis Community Taskforce met last month to share critical progress updates and renewed commitments to eliminating syphilis in the community.<\/p>\n

The taskforce\u2014a robust collaboration among the VDH Local Health Districts, community partners, non-profit organizations, regional healthcare systems, correctional institutions, public schools and academic partners\u2014convened on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to review two years of data and clinical outcomes.<\/p>\n

Key Progress and Clinical Milestones<\/strong> The collaborative initiative has focused on a multi-faceted strategy: standardizing testing, streamlining referral processes, and launching a region-wide public awareness campaign. Data shared during the meeting highlights a dramatic increase in proactive community testing:<\/p>\n