When left untreated, some STDs can lead to long-term irreversible effects, such as chronic pelvic pain, cancers, infertility, adverse pregnancy and birth complications, some of which can be potentially fatal. The 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022 agreed on the implementation of the new Global Sectoral Health Strategies for, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030 (GHSS). The new strategies propose a shared vision to end AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and STDs by 2030. For STDs, the GHSS set ambitious targets:
reduction in new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. reduction in new cases of congenital syphilis. increase the proportion of girls fully vaccinated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine by age 15; increase syphilis screening rate among priority populations and pregnant women, increase gonorrhea screening rate among priority populations; increasing the percentage of women being screened for cervical cancer; and to increase the number of countries reporting antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae to the WHO Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme.
In order to achieve this, the GHSS recommends the provision of high-quality, evidence-based, person-centred STI services across the STI care cascade. generate STD data; engage communities and civil society; and promote innovations in STD prevention diagnosis, testing and treatment. In light of this, the global response to sexually transmitted diseases needs to undergo some strategic and operational changes: WHO will lead a multisectoral coalition of partners, advocates and affected communities to increase and sustain commitment to end STI epidemics. WHO will lead the development of evidence-based standards and norms and promote the use of updated guidelines, tools and service delivery approaches by all countries. WHO will continue to provide technical support to countries to implement their national responses to sexually transmitted diseases and will take a leading role in shaping the global STI research agenda.
