Journalists wanting to speak to an ACRRM spokesperson are invited to contact Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or email.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says yesterday’s declaration of syphilis as a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) is a sobering reminder of the health inequities facing rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO made the declaration following record notifications of infectious syphilis and a growing number of preventable congenital syphilis cases resulting in infant deaths.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the crisis reflects long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable.
“In many rural and remote communities, the local Rural Generalist is the only doctor available,” Dr Martin says.
“They provide everything from antenatal care to STI screening and treatment, and they must be supported with the workforce, training, and tools to respond effectively.”
In 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians had infectious syphilis rates seven times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. Since 2016, more than half of all congenital syphilis cases have occurred in First Nations babies. One in three affected infants have died.
“Every one of those deaths is a tragedy,” Dr Martin says.
“We know syphilis often presents without symptoms, but with early testing and treatment, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.”
Dr Martin says ACRRM continues to work to strengthen culturally safe care and grow a skilled Rural Generalist workforce.
To help support Rural Generalists in delivering high-quality sexual health care, ACRRM has launched a new STI and HIV Care course. The course is designed to give doctors the skills and confidence to conduct evidence-based STI and HIV consultations, assess risk, and manage follow-up care, with content applicable to practice nationwide.
“We’re committed to giving Rural Generalists the tools they need to care for their communities because that’s what ultimately saves lives,” Dr Martin says.
He urged all Australians who are sexually active, especially those planning for a baby, to get a sexual health check.
“Testing is simple, treatment is effective, and awareness is essential to preventing serious outcomes — including a perinatal death rate of up to 30 per cent.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO made the declaration following record notifications of infectious syphilis and a growing number of preventable congenital syphilis cases resulting in infant deaths.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the crisis reflects long-standing gaps in access to timely testing, treatment, and antenatal care, despite syphilis being entirely preventable and treatable.
“In many rural and remote communities, the local Rural Generalist is the only doctor available,” Dr Martin says.
“They provide everything from antenatal care to STI screening and treatment, and they must be supported with the workforce, training, and tools to respond effectively.”
In 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians had infectious syphilis rates seven times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. Since 2016, more than half of all congenital syphilis cases have occurred in First Nations babies. One in three affected infants have died.
“Every one of those deaths is a tragedy,” Dr Martin says.
“We know syphilis often presents without symptoms, but with early testing and treatment, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.”
Dr Martin says ACRRM continues to work to strengthen culturally safe care and grow a skilled Rural Generalist workforce.
To help support Rural Generalists in delivering high-quality sexual health care, ACRRM has launched a new STI and HIV Care course. The course is designed to give doctors the skills and confidence to conduct evidence-based STI and HIV consultations, assess risk, and manage follow-up care, with content applicable to practice nationwide.
“We’re committed to giving Rural Generalists the tools they need to care for their communities because that’s what ultimately saves lives,” Dr Martin says.
He urged all Australians who are sexually active, especially those planning for a baby, to get a sexual health check.
“Testing is simple, treatment is effective, and awareness is essential to preventing serious outcomes — including a perinatal death rate of up to 30 per cent.”