Primary and Secondary Syphilis--United States, 1998

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Primary and Secondary Syphilis--United States, 1998

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (10/08/99) Vol. 48, No. 39, P. 873

Syphilis rates have declined an additional 19 percent in 1998, paving the way toward the nation's goal of elimination. The national rate of 2.6 cases per 100,000 population, a drop from 3.2 cases in 1997, is the lowest level ever recorded, according to new data released today. The article reports that less than 1 percent of U.S. counties account for half of reported syphilis cases. Half of all new syphilis cases are concentrated in 28 counties, mainly in the South and selected urban areas in other regions. The data indicate that African Americans are 34 times more likely to be reported with syphilis than whites, with rates of 17.1 cases per 100,000 among African Americans and 0.5 cases per 100,000 among whites. Researchers report that lower infection rates and geographic concentration signal continued progress toward syphilis elimination. To move the nation toward its goal of syphilis elimination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has initiated new efforts targeting the 33 states and cities with either a heavy burden of syphilis or a potential for re-emergence. Syphilis elimination is critical to improving infant health, slowing the spread of HIV and reducing racial disparities in health.

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