Title: Times Seeks Stories from Women Affected by Congenital Syphilis in Pregnancy
A call for participation from The New York Times aims to gather insights from women who experienced syphilis during pregnancy. The inquiry comes amid a significant rise in congenital syphilis cases in the United States, with over 3,700 reported in 2022, a sharp increase from a decade ago. This sexually transmitted infection can cause severe complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, blindness, deafness, and developmental delays in infants.
The Times, through reporter Apoorva Mandavilli, seeks to understand whether affected women were tested and treated during their pregnancies and how the disease impacted their children’s health. This call emphasizes the disproportionate impact on communities of color and highlights the role of socioeconomic status and education in prenatal care access.
Apoorva Mandavilli, known for her reporting on infectious diseases and part of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize-winning team for coverage of the pandemic, will handle submissions. Participants' information will be kept confidential, with follow-ups done prior to any publication.
For women who faced this condition, sharing their experiences could provide valuable insights into the ongoing public health issue.