As syphilis rates spike, Detroit Health Department offers free screenings

Detroit — With syphilis rates surging in Michigan and across the country, the Detroit Health Department is offering free health screenings for the virus all week, along with HIV, and screenings for several other wellness measures at eight locations across the city.

The screenings, which are part of Public Health Week, are free of charge, regardless of insurance status, and no appointments or identification methods are required, said Denise Fair Razo, Chief Public Health Officer for the city of Detroit.

"Syphilis is really high in our community — in fact, in the last I believe 90 days, we have seen an uptick in syphilis cases," Razo said.

Detroiters also can receive confidential blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and kidney function checks as well as testing for HIV.

Syphilis, once on the verge of being eradicated in the United States, has spiked across the country over the last five years. Experts point to a number of reasons for the uptick, including stigma associated with the sexually transmitted infection, access to health care and funding being siphoned to other health priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Michigan, the number of syphilis cases doubled between 2017 and 2022, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In Detroit alone, which has the highest number of cases in the state, cases nearly tripled during the same period.

More:Why syphilis cases are surging in US, Michigan after nearly being eradicated

Detroit also has the largest population of people living with HIV in the state, with over 5,000 as of December 2022, according to the state health department. The Detroit Health Department is offering at-home test kits for HIV to help reduce the stigma around STI testing, Razo said.

"If Detroiters want to go on site they can do that. Or they can go home, take their test, send it in... confidential reporting, that's just really important," Razo said.

The screenings are offered as part of Public Health Week, an annual initiative to remind Detroiters to put their health first, Razo said. Other activities will be offered throughout the week, including Cuts and Conversations, during which men can get haircuts and participate in a panel on toxic masculinity and mental health in the African American Community.

"What we always say is our goal is to get out in the community and meet people where they are," Razo said. "So we know Detroiters are at recreation centers and that's where we want to be as well."

Screenings and wellness activities are available at:

April 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Northwest Activities Center at 18100 Meyers Rd., Detroit, MI 48235

April 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Pat's Senior Center at 58 Parsons St., Detroit, MI 48201

April 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Patton Recreation Center at 2301 Woodmere St., Detroit, MI 4820

April 4, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., iDecide Teen Open House at the Detroit Health Department at 100 Mack Ave., Detroit 48202

April 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Justice Walk at the Third Precinct, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

April 6, 12 p.m.-2 p.m., Cuts and Conversations at the Heilmann Recreation Center and Ford Resource Center, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit, MI 48205

April 6, 12 p.m.-2 p.m., Mental Health Makeovers and Massages at the Heilmann Recreation Center and Ford Resource Center, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit, MI 48205

April 6, 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m., Dads and Sons Basketball Challenge at the Heilmann Recreation Center and Ford Resource Center, 15491 Maddelein St., Detroit, MI 48205

hmackay@detroitnews.com