Washington, DC – “Today President Trump shockingly proposed to cut STD prevention funding next year by more than 17%, adding fuel to an out of control fire in America,” says David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD).

“Some question why STDs are at a 20 year high, but look no further than this proposed budget for the answer. We call upon Congress to reject this proposed budget cut and increase federal funding for STD prevention,” says Harvey.

Last year, federal STD prevention funding was cut by $5 million to $152 million. The proposed budget for next year would cut another $22 million. If enacted, CDC would no longer be able to fund STD prevention programs in all states, territories, or directly funded cities, thereby decimating our ability to fight a raging STD epidemic.

“STD funding cuts mean that efforts to fight against babies being born with Congenital Syphilis, increasing levels of drug-resistant Gonorrhea, and skyrocketing rates of Syphilis — especially among gay men — will be devastated,” says Harvey.

NCSD will work with our health department members, grassroots advocates, national partners, and Congressional allies to reject these proposed federal funding cuts. We will also join the fight against proposed cuts in HIV, school health, and TB prevention, as well as the Ryan White CARE Act and other safety net programs.

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 NCSD advocates for state, local, and territorial health department STD directors, their staff, and community-based partners.  For more information, or to connect with an NCSD member, visit NCSDDC.org.