Memory and syphilis: Why designate an awareness date?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/DST-2177-8264-1487

Abstract

The article discusses the relevance of institutional dates for mobilizing the general population toward the elimination of syphilis and congenital syphilis, in Brazil and worldwide. The issue is presented through the perspective of the field of social memory, drawing from authors Jô Gondar and Pierre Nora, considering the need for a memory ritual to avoid the forgetfulness and invisibility that have historically surrounded syphilis and sexually transmitted infections. Finally, the article proposes a mobilization for the creation of a single global date, coordinated by the World Health Organization.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Brazil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 13,430, de 31 de março de 2017. Institui o Dia Nacional de Combate à Sífilis e à Sífilis Congênita. Diário Oficial da União [Internet]. Brasília; 2017 [cited on 2026 Apr. 29]. Available from: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2017/lei/l13430.htm

Passos MRL, Petra T. Syphilis or perpetual evil: art, science, history, memories. Niterói: Nitpress, 2025.

Brazil. Ministério da Saúde. Virtual exhibition Syphilis: History, Science, Art [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2021 [cited on 2026 Apr. 29]. Available from: https://exposifilis.aids.gov.br/

Moraes C, Petra T, Passos MRL. Digital reconstruction of Girolamo Fracastoro's face: A 3D bust derived from historical portraits. Digit Appl Archaeol Cult Herit. 2026;41:e00530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2026.e00530

JBDST. Combatting STDs is now law in Niterói (RJ) - Oriximiná (Pará) and in the entire State of Rio de Janeiro [Internet]. J bras Doenças Sex Transm. 1995 [cited on 2026 Apr. 29];7(2):39-40. Available from: https://www.bjstd.org/revista/article/view/103/90

Gondar, J. Five propositions on social memory. Morpheus. 2016;9(15):19-40.

Nora P, Khoury YA, translator. Entre memória e história: a problemática dos lugares. Proj Hist. 1993;(10):7-28.

Pan American Health Organization. Agreement for action: 15 key recommendations to eliminate syphilis and congenital syphilis in the Region of the Americas [Internet]. Washington: PAHO; 2024 [cited on 2026 May 3]. Available from: https://www.paho.org/es/documentos/acuerdo-para-accion-15-recomendaciones-clave-para-eliminar-sifilis-sifilis-congenita

Colombia. Presidencia de la República. With early diagnosis, Colombia manages to avoid more than 585 cases of congenital syphilis in three years. Bogotá: Presidencia de la República; 2025 [cited on 2026 May 3]. Available from: https://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa/Paginas/Con-diagnostico-temprano-Colombia-logra-evitar-mas-de-585-casos-de-sifilis-251020.aspx

American Sexual Health Association. April is STI Awareness Month [Internet]. Research Triangle Park: ASHA; c2024 [cited on 2026 May 3]. Available from: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/april-is-sti-awareness-month/

Published

2026-05-22

How to Cite

1.
Silva TP da. Memory and syphilis: Why designate an awareness date?. DST [Internet]. 2026 May 22 [cited 2026 Sep. 4];38. Available from: https://www.bjstd.org/revista/article/view/1487

Issue

Section

Letters to the Editor