US Syphilis Up for Seventh Straight Year

[devilgrrl]

US Syphilis Up for Seventh Straight Year
By LINDSEY TANNER (AP Medical Writer)
From Associated Press
March 12, 2008 6:20 PM EDT

CHICAGO - U.S. syphilis cases climbed for the seventh straight year in 2007, and increases in the disease among gay men and blacks largely contributed, government researchers reported Wednesday.

The trend can be partly blamed on too few gay men getting recommended annual screenings for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, citing studies released at an STD conference in Chicago.

While the number of cases still is relatively low - 11,181 last year - the trend worries public health officials, who say better awareness and screening is needed.

About 60 percent of syphilis cases last year occurred in gay men, compared with just 5 percent in 1999, according to preliminary CDC data presented at the conference.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20080312/47d76350_3421_1334520080312-2124276641

[wuushew]

1. The same amount of time Bush has been in office

interesting....

[NightWatcher]

2. Bush causes Syphilis

this one's just itching for a joke

[Zorra]

3. One of Bu*h's major accomplishments. His legacy is wondrous indeed. n/t

[Bozita]

4. GOPers will blame Spitzer and the Dems for this.

[baldguy]

5. That abstinence only sex ed is working.

[FloridaJudy]

6. We were on the verge of eliminating it

In the late 90's. That's because the Public Health Departments went after it aggressively, tracking down and treating new cases to prevent further transmission. I know, because I was part of that effort.

Then Bu$h happened. Funding for condom distribution and case tracing got cut, in favor of "abstinence only" education. A mint was spent on "bioterrorism" programs that just plain didn't work, and diverted staff from programs that were successful in promoting better health practices.

And now our health care system is about to be overwhelmed with the physical and mental casualties from an unnecessary war.

I really, REALLY despise Bu$h and all he stands for.

[Bozita]

7. I thank you for your efforts.

Gotta be frustrating.