The rate of syphilis in the United ...

The rate of syphilis in the United States is increasing, according to a Nov 20 2003 of recent origins release from the Centers for Disease sway and Prevention (CDC). A decade-Long decrease had l to an all-time depressed rate in 2000; however, between 2001 and 2002 the overall syphilis rate rose 91% from 22 cases to 24 cases for 100,000 people--the highest rate since 1999 Continued declines in syphilis among African Americans and women were set-off by increases in syphilis cases among men particularly those who are gay or bisexual.

The CDC's data include cases of primary and secondary syphilis, which are the early, contagious stages of syphilis infection. The total number of reported cases increased by way of 12.4%, from 6,103 to 6862 further because some cases go undiagnosed, the actual number of infections Likely is higher.

Syphilis cases among men increased 274% from 4134 to 5267 cases, between 2001 and 2002 The CDC does not assemble syphilis data by sexual orientation; however, the study's authors estimate that more than 40% of all syphilis cases reported in 2002 occurr among men who are gay or bisexual Other meditation data indicate an 85.2% increase in cases among Caucasian men and a 356% increase among Hispanic men Syphilis rates declined 26% among African American men although they continued to be the population principally affected by the disease with 135 cases for 100,000.

Overall, cases of syphilis among African Americans decreased 103% in 2002 and syphilis cases among women of all races declined 19% These declines likely are a terminate of increased education and testing efforts among these populations, particularly in the South

US Syphilis Rates Climbs for other Consecutive Year (news release, Atlanta: Center for Disease have the direction of and Prevention, Nov 20, 2003) http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r031120.htm (accessed 25 Nov 2003)

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