Syphilis Cases Plunge in Baltimore

Four years after Baltimore topped the charts nationwide in syphilis, cases of the STD in the city have dropped by nearly two-thirds, according to new figures released yesterday by the CDC. Syphilis cases last year in Baltimore dropped by about 12 percent compared with the previous year, to 218 cases. Combined with the decreases in 1998 and 1999, that adds up to a two-thirds drop from the 1997 peak of 669 syphilis cases. That decline, part of a national trend, stems from a combination of efforts over the past few years, including outreach to addicts, education of physicians and testing and treatment of those arrested at the Central Booking and Intake Center. Another crucial element has been advice from churches, hospitals and community groups on strategies for stopping the epidemic. "It seems to be working," said Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, city health commissioner. "We've gotten to a tipping point."

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