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Europe Grapples with Record STIs as New Obesity and Cholesterol Treatments Emerge

Rising cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis contrast with promising developments in gene editing and weight loss therapies

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Europe is grappling with a surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with gonorrhoea and syphilis reaching record levels, according to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)....

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What Happened

Gonorrhoea cases in Europe have increased by 303% since 2015, reaching 106,331 cases in 2024. Syphilis cases have more than doubled in the same...

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1 / 6
  • Gonorrhoea cases in Europe have increased by 303% since 2015, reaching 106,331 cases in 2024.
  • Syphilis cases have more than doubled in the same period, with 45,557 cases reported in 2024.
  • Eli Lilly has announced that its gene-editing therapy reduced cholesterol levels by 62% in participants in a clinical trial.
  • The company's next-generation obesity drug has led to weight loss approaching the effectiveness seen with bariatric surgery.

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Why It Matters

The rise in STIs is a significant public health concern, as these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility. In...

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The rise in STIs is a significant public health concern, as these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility. In contrast, the breakthroughs in gene editing and weight loss therapies offer hope for tackling obesity and high cholesterol, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

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What Experts Say

These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or...

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"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system," said Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit.

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Key Numbers

106,331: Number of gonorrhoea cases reported in Europe in 2024. 45,557: Number of syphilis cases reported in Europe in 2024. 62%: Reduction in...

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  • 106,331: Number of gonorrhoea cases reported in Europe in 2024.
  • 45,557: Number of syphilis cases reported in Europe in 2024.
  • 62%: Reduction in cholesterol levels achieved by Eli Lilly's gene-editing therapy.
  • 303%: Increase in gonorrhoea cases in Europe since 2015.

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Background

The surge in STIs is attributed to widening gaps in testing and prevention, according to the ECDC. The agency has called for urgent action to address...

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5 / 6

The surge in STIs is attributed to widening gaps in testing and prevention, according to the ECDC. The agency has called for urgent action to address this trend.

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What Comes Next

As Europe grapples with the rise in STIs, the developments in gene editing and weight loss therapies offer a promising new frontier in the treatment...

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6 / 6

As Europe grapples with the rise in STIs, the developments in gene editing and weight loss therapies offer a promising new frontier in the treatment of obesity and high cholesterol. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of these treatments and to address the underlying causes of the STI surge.

KEY FACTS:

  • Who: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
  • What: Record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis reported in Europe
  • When: 2024
  • Where: Europe
  • Impact: Severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility
"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system." — Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit

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5 cited references across 2 linked domains.

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5
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5 cited references across 2 linked domains.

  1. Source 1 · Fulqrum Sources

    STAT+: Eli Lilly says Verve’s gene editor lowers cholesterol levels in early study

  2. Source 2 · Fulqrum Sources

    STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly obesity drug trial, statistics for an Alzheimer’s drug, and more

  3. Source 3 · Fulqrum Sources

    Gonorrhoea and syphilis hit record levels in Europe

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⚕️ HealthLine

Europe Grapples with Record STIs as New Obesity and Cholesterol Treatments Emerge

Rising cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis contrast with promising developments in gene editing and weight loss therapies

By Emergent News Desk

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • 3 min read • 5 source references

  • 3 min read
  • 5 source references

Europe is grappling with a surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with gonorrhoea and syphilis reaching record levels, according to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This trend contrasts with promising developments in the treatment of obesity and high cholesterol, as pharmaceutical companies announce breakthroughs in gene editing and weight loss therapies.

Story pulse
Story state
Deep multi-angle story
Evidence
What Happened
Coverage
6 reporting sections
Next focus
What Comes Next

What Happened

  • Gonorrhoea cases in Europe have increased by 303% since 2015, reaching 106,331 cases in 2024.
  • Syphilis cases have more than doubled in the same period, with 45,557 cases reported in 2024.
  • Eli Lilly has announced that its gene-editing therapy reduced cholesterol levels by 62% in participants in a clinical trial.
  • The company's next-generation obesity drug has led to weight loss approaching the effectiveness seen with bariatric surgery.

Why It Matters

The rise in STIs is a significant public health concern, as these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility. In contrast, the breakthroughs in gene editing and weight loss therapies offer hope for tackling obesity and high cholesterol, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

What Experts Say

"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system," said Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit.

Key Numbers

  • 106,331: Number of gonorrhoea cases reported in Europe in 2024.
  • 45,557: Number of syphilis cases reported in Europe in 2024.
  • 62%: Reduction in cholesterol levels achieved by Eli Lilly's gene-editing therapy.
  • 303%: Increase in gonorrhoea cases in Europe since 2015.

Background

The surge in STIs is attributed to widening gaps in testing and prevention, according to the ECDC. The agency has called for urgent action to address this trend.

What Comes Next

As Europe grapples with the rise in STIs, the developments in gene editing and weight loss therapies offer a promising new frontier in the treatment of obesity and high cholesterol. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of these treatments and to address the underlying causes of the STI surge.

KEY FACTS:

  • Who: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
  • What: Record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis reported in Europe
  • When: 2024
  • Where: Europe
  • Impact: Severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility
"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system." — Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit

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Should you eat local yoghurt on holiday to prevent an upset stomach?

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Gonorrhoea and syphilis hit record levels in Europe

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STAT+: Eli Lilly says Verve’s gene editor lowers cholesterol levels in early study

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STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly obesity drug trial, statistics for an Alzheimer’s drug, and more

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statnews.com

STAT+: Lilly’s ‘triple-G’ drug leads to bariatric-surgery levels of weight loss in trial

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Fact-checked Real-time synthesis Bias-reduced

This article was synthesized by Fulqrum AI from 5 trusted sources, combining multiple perspectives into a comprehensive summary. All source references are listed below.