by PrincessSafiya Byers, Milwaukee Neighborhood news Service
April 14, 2026
Most recent sexual health data shows a mixed picture. There are signs of progress, but there are also persistent concerns that health leaders say cannot be ignored.
Reported cases of several sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, in Milwaukee have declined in recent years. Public health officials point to expanded testing, increased awareness and stronger partnerships between clinics as reasons for the improvement.
According to a report by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 15,116 cases of STIs were reported in 2024 in Milwaukee County, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. That’s down from 15,764 cases in 2023.
But those gains come with important caveats, as the number of syphilis cases did increase.
“What’s concerning is the increase in congenital syphilis,” said Naomi Jenkins, director of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Program at Keenan Health Center.
Congenital syphilis occurs when a baby is born with the infection, often because the mother was not tested or treated in time during pregnancy. In Milwaukee, those cases rose from 25 to 31 from 2023 to 2024, an increase health officials say reflects deeper gaps in access to care.
Additionally, infection rates among young adults remain high.
Data shows that people from the ages of 15 to 24 make up 8,542 (57%) of STI cases reported in Milwaukee County.
“It’s a mix,” Jenkins said. “Some things are getting better. Some things are not.”
Access remains uneven
Milwaukee continues to carry a disproportionate burden of STIs in southeastern Wisconsin, particularly in neighborhoods where access to health care is limited.
“ZIP codes where we’re having higher morbidity rates have generally been 53212, 53215, 53206 and 53208,” Jenkins said. “But what I noticed that’s trending is that we’re seeing more morbidities in 53216, 53218 and 53209, and when I think about those areas too, there’s not a lot of providers, hospitals. They’re … hardly any (federally qualified health centers) in those areas also.”
Some barriers are structural, like a lack of insurance, limited clinic availability in certain ZIP codes and transportation challenges. Others are harder to quantify but just as significant.
“The perception of being judged can stop someone before they even get tested,” said Ben Bruso, a prevention supervisor with Vivent Health.
That stigma, combined with inconsistent sex education and limited access to trusted information can delay care, especially for young people who may not know where to turn, he said.
At Keenan Health Center, providers work to address those barriers. Anyone as young as 12 can receive confidential testing and treatment without parental consent, and privacy protections are strictly enforced.
“We meet people where they’re at,” Jenkins said. “That’s the most important thing.”
What else is being done
In response to concerns, Milwaukee health organizations have expanded efforts to make testing and treatment more accessible and less intimidating.
At Vivent Health, outreach goes beyond clinic walls. The organization offers free HIV and STI testing on-site, distributes condoms at community events and provides discreet at-home testing kits for people who may not feel comfortable visiting a clinic.
“Sexual health is an important part of overall health,” Bruso said. “And we try to remove as many barriers as possible so people can actually access care.”
Collaboration has also been key. Clinics and community groups increasingly partner to connect patients with follow-up care, share resources and reach more residents through joint events.
Those efforts are showing results.
In 2024 alone, Keenan Health Center reported more than 9,000 visits and screened over 4,000 individuals, an indication that demand for services remains high.
Bruso said new prevention tools are also driving progress. Medications like PrEP have expanded options for HIV prevention, while evolving treatments continue to improve outcomes for other STIs.
Building trust beyond the data
Even with expanded services and improving trends, providers say data alone does not tell the full story.
Sexual health decisions are deeply personal, shaped by trust, relationships and lived experiences. For many residents, walking into a clinic, or even starting a conversation, can feel like a significant step.
That’s why some outreach efforts focus less on testing itself and more on building connections.
“Not everything has to start with a medical conversation,” Bruso said. “Sometimes it starts with just showing up.”
Health workers say lasting progress in Milwaukee will require continued investment in access, education and community trust, especially in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved.
A steady message
Despite shifting trends, the core public health message remains unchanged: Get tested, know your status and communicate with partners.
“We tell people that safe sex is sexy,” said Caroline Reinwald, marketing, communications and public information officer for the Milwaukee Health Department.
Where to go for help
Free or low-cost testing is available at local health centers, such as Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Milwaukee Health Services.
The Milwaukee Health Department maintains a list of places to get tested in the area.
To contact the Milwaukee Health Department’s Keenan Health Center, 3200 N. 36th St., call 414-286-8840.
BESTD Clinic,1240 E. Brady St., offers syphilis testing. Call 414-272-2144.
Holton Street Clinic, 3521 N. Holton St., provides free syphilis and HIV screening. Call 414-264-8800.
To contact Planned Parenthood and make an appointment, call 844-493-1052 or visit its website and select “Book Online.” Planned Parenthood has multiple locations throughout the city. You can find health centers near you at this link.
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