February 1, 2024
On January 25, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that in 2023 Minnesota witnessed the highest number of congenital syphilis cases in at least 40 years.
The MMA and MDH will host a virtual forum on “Rising Congenital Syphilis in Minnesota: A Special Briefing for Health Care Providers” tomorrow (February 2) from noon to 1 pm. Register here.
Twenty-nine cases of congenital syphilis (including three stillbirths) were reported in Minnesota in 2023. Congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant person passes their syphilis infection on to their fetus during pregnancy, which can cause severe complications such as miscarriages, stillbirths, premature birth and brain/nerve problems (including blindness and deafness).
Due to the rising number of cases, MDH has updated screening guidelines for healthcare providers. The updated recommendations state that all pregnant people should be screened at least three times during pregnancy, including at the first prenatal encounter (ideally during the first trimester), around 28 weeks of pregnancy and at delivery.
Minnesotans of all races, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual orientations are increasingly impacted by syphilis. However, people who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Black and Latin/Hispanic are disproportionally impacted by syphilis due to a combination of factors affecting the social determinants of health, including differences in health insurance coverage, employment status, and access to preventive, screening, and curative services.
MDH is working directly with healthcare providers to improve understanding of signs and symptoms, routine screening, treatment and prevention of congenital syphilis. Because some pregnant people may not access traditional prenatal care, MDH will work with additional partners to increase screening for syphilis through partnerships with emergency departments, urgent care centers, correctional facilities, harm reduction/treatment providers and primary care clinics.
Additional data and information about syphilis can be found on the MDH website: Syphilis.
December 4, 2025
On December 4, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its budget forecast for the 2026-27 biennium, showing a short-term budget surplus of $2.5 billion for the current biennium, but warned of a long-term $2.96 billion deficit for the 2028-29 biennium.
December 4, 2025
On December 2, the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) released a study on the safety, effectiveness, and public health impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations at birth.
December 4, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) is now accepting public comments regarding proposed legislation to mandate insurance coverage of certain treatments.