What was the reason that syphilis was not considered worthy of government research funds?

Syphilis was often stigmatized as a disease associated with moral failing, particularly in the early to mid-20th century. This societal stigma led to a perception that the disease primarily affected marginalized populations, which in turn contributed to a lack of political and public support for research funding. Additionally, the prevailing medical focus was on more acute and visible diseases, leaving chronic and stigmatized conditions like syphilis underfunded and understudied.