Oklahoma County, which traditionally has one of the nation's highest rates of syphilis, is fighting the STD with a public education campaign and improved screenings. The county had 90 syphilis cases in 2000, the 12th highest total among cities and counties nationally, according to the CDC. National rankings are not available for 2001, but Oklahoma Health Department statistics indicate the county reported 42 cases last year. Tulsa was second in the state with six cases.

Last year the state received the first of five annual grants of $285,000 from the CDC to educate the public about the disease and to screen people for it. Some of the money has been used to paint 40 bus benches with information about free syphilis testing and to test Oklahoma County Jail inmates for the disease. Coasters with syphilis information will be left in barrooms.

In 2000, Oklahoma County's syphilis rate per 100,000 people was 14.1, compared to a national average of 2.2. The county's syphilis rate could eventually increase as health officials do a better job of screening and educating the public.

Most U.S. syphilis cases are found in southern and southeastern states. Lack of access to medical care and economic problems could contribute to cases in these states, said Deb Frederickson, a manager in the state Health Department's STD division.

Billboards are planned, and radio and television spots are being considered for drive times and afternoon talk shows. It's worth the expense, Lowry said, because ignorance of the disease is still doing sometimes fatal damage in the state and is even blamed for some birth defects in rural areas.

Back to other CDC news for October 10, 2002

Previous Updates | Search the CDC archive