Primary and Secondary Syphilis -- United States, 1999

Despite a 10 percent decline in syphilis rates for African Americans from 1998 to 1999, African Americans remain disproportionately affected by syphilis, compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to this study. Reported rates of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis in 1999 were 30 times higher for African Americans than for white Americans. The continued impact of syphilis on African Americans likely reflects the effects of poverty and lack of access to or use of quality health care services. During this same time period, P&S syphilis rates increased 20 percent for Hispanics, but were stable for white Americans. The increase in Hispanic rates occurred primarily among men, possibly reflecting the recent outbreaks in men who have sex with men. In order to maintain progress toward syphilis elimination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends continued efforts need to focus on: educating and screening people at high-risk for syphilis, maintaining high-quality reporting and case finding, and expanding services for hard-hit communities. Syphilis increases the likelihood of HIV transmission, and can compromise reproductive health, causing miscarriages, stillbirths and severe infections in newborn babies.