Syphilis in the South Summit: An Impact on Practice Change and Jurisdictional Priorities

In May 2023, the Denver and Southeast Prevention Training Centers hosted the Syphilis in the South Summit for key leaders in the southern United States to share barriers and identify opportunities to address syphilis within the region. The 1-d summit addressed the rising rates of syphilis by enhancing program implementation strategies for the southern jurisdiction.

The 1-d summit, Syphilis in the South Summit, began with an invitation to healthcare and public health leaders in the southern region to attend. Attendees received an online post-course evaluation immediately after the summit to measure satisfaction, change in knowledge and skills, and intent to change. At 8 months, a long-term evaluation was conducted to assess actual changes made, successes, and barriers.

The summit was attended by 58 individuals representing leadership from 29 organizations from 10 states within the southern region. The post-course evaluation had a response rate of 59% (n = 34), with most respondents 85% (n = 29) indicating an intention to make practice changes. The long-term evaluation had a completion rate of 50% (n=22), with nearly all respondents 91% (n = 20) identifying new approaches to address syphilis.

A 1-d summit was an effective way to influence practice changes within sexually transmitted infection clinics and jurisdictions to identify new approaches to address syphilis.