Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
East Valley-Scottsdale Tribune (12.26.07) - Monday, December 31, 2007
Howard Fischer
In approving the funds, Napolitano cited the fact that the number of cases in Maricopa County in the first six months of 2007 was 25 times higher than it was seven years ago. "The gay community, especially in Maricopa County, is where the bulk of the epidemic is now," said Wil Humble, the state's assistant director of public health.
Syphilis cases in Pima County have gone from fewer than five in 2005 to more than 60 this year, with a fair number of these on the Tohono O'odham Reservation. There, too, state health officials said a large part of the increase was among men who have sex with men (MSM).
According to Humble, the money will largely be spent on "retail education" about syphilis, "trying to get to those locations, the focus areas where the infection is being spread." Such places include those where gay men meet or find partners, including bars, he said. Most of the funds will go toward informational brochures and staffing.
"Unless they know they're infected, they don't go in and get treatment," said Humble. That means directing people to the clinic locations where they can get screened and treated.
Humble noted that the rise in syphilis is not limited to MSM. Cases of the disease are also increasing among prostitutes and their customers, he said.
071231
AD072703
Copyright © 2007 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.