MIM Notes 166        July 15, 1998

Syphilis 44-times more common for Blacks than whites

Although syphilis rates are declining in the country as 
a whole, new figures from the government show that 
Blacks still have rates 44-times higher than whites.

Syphilis, a completely preventable and very serious 
sexually transmitted disease, currently affects 3.2 
people out of every 100,000 in the country as a whole, 
the report said. However, the rate for Blacks was 22, 
compared to 0.5 per 100,000 for non-"Hispanic" whites. 
Latinos have rates just over three-times higher than 
whites, 1.6 per 100,000.

The great disparities between nationalities reflects 
gross differences in access to health care and 
treatment, as well as the education needed to take 
proper precautions against transmission. The areas of 
infection are highest in Black Southern counties, where 
health care and education systems are worst.

For such disparities in syphilis to continue, given its 
preventable nature, reflects the overall indifference of 
the government to the health and well being of the Black 
nation, especially the poor, who lack health care and 
good education. If it were a priority, syphilis could be 
wiped out in a very short period of time.

Notes: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, June 26, 1998 (v. 
47, no. 24).