Spain is responding to a concerning rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with a new collaborative initiative aimed at improving prevention, early detection, and access to care. The Spanish Society for Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care and Disaster (SEMES) and the Ministry of Health have partnered to launch Punto ITS, a resource designed to address the growing public health challenge.
An Upward Trend Raising Concerns Among Healthcare Professionals
Data reveals a sustained increase in STI rates in Spain since the early 2000s. According to the latest Epidemiological Surveillance Report, in 2024, more than 37,000 new cases of gonorrhea, nearly 42,000 cases of chlamydia, close to 12,000 cases of syphilis, and approximately 2,000 cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) were reported. This represents a significant and ongoing increase in recent years. The rise in STIs is a global health concern, highlighting the necessitate for increased awareness and preventative measures.
A key factor contributing to the complexity of managing STIs is that many infections are asymptomatic for weeks, months, or even years. This silent spread facilitates unintentional transmission and delays diagnosis, potentially leading to serious medical complications.
Juan González del Castillo, coordinator of the project and of the SEMES Working Group on Infections in Emergency Care, notes that “sexually transmitted infections are increasing in a worrying way and, in many cases, go unnoticed because they may not present symptoms for a long time. Informing yourself, protecting yourself and getting tested when there is a risk is a way of taking care of yourself and also others.” He added, “From the emergency services we spot daily the consequences of late diagnosis, so it is essential to normalize prevention, condom use and easy access to screening.”
Clear, Rigorous, and Updated Information
Punto ITS is a website created to provide clear, rigorous, and up-to-date information about sexually transmitted infections. The platform aims to answer frequently asked questions, dispel myths and stigmas, and offer straightforward guidance on when to get tested, how to prevent infection, identify symptoms, and access appropriate healthcare resources.
The initiative seeks to integrate STI prevention into routine healthcare and reinforce the understanding that sexual health is an integral part of overall well-being. By promoting informed and responsible decision-making in an accessible and non-judgmental manner, the platform hopes to empower individuals to prioritize their sexual health.
The agreement between SEMES and the Ministry of Health also includes joint efforts in research, training, and awareness campaigns, as well as improvements in diagnosis within hospital emergency departments. It strengthens coordination in epidemiological surveillance and contact tracing, which are crucial elements in curbing the spread of these infections.
Institutional Response
Tato Vázquez Lima, president of SEMES, emphasizes that “this agreement represents a decisive step in placing sexual health in the place it deserves within healthcare. Our commitment is to bring information closer, facilitate access and perform in a coordinated manner with the Ministry so that the population has useful, rigorous and understandable tools.”
Julia del Amo Valero, director of the Division of HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis at the Ministry of Health, underscores that this initiative “strengthens the institutional response to the increase in sexually transmitted infections, betting on prevention, early diagnosis and truthful information as fundamental pillars of public health.”
