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Syphilis Cases Climbing Across N.C.
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Abstract
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| North Carolina syphilis cases have almost doubled in the past year across nearly all ages and racial groups, and health officials say funding to fight the disease is inadequate. During the first nine months of this year, the state had 684 syphilis cases, compared with 359 in the same timeframe in 2008.
In 1999, CDC devoted major resources to fight the STD in US counties facing outbreaks, including five in North Carolina. The help allowed health officials to run awareness campaigns, promote screening efforts among physicians, target hard-to-reach groups, and even screen in bars and jails. Syphilis cases declined after 2000.
After North Carolina reported fewer syphilis cases in 2005 and 2006, CDC in 2007 shifted much of the program’s funding to states with higher morbidity. In 2008, North Carolina received less than $600,000, down from more than $1.3 million. With less resources, fewer people are screening and educating people about syphilis, said Jessica Goodman, who leads Wake’s HIV/STD Community Program.
“We are back to having this problem again because of a lack of commitment and investment,” said Evelyn Foust, director of the communicable-diseases branch at the state Department of Health and Human Services. “I have to be honest: This is pretty bad,” she said of the syphilis numbers.
The current outbreak is hitting young black men who have sex with men especially hard, said Dr. Peter Leone, an epidemiologist in the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Division of Infectious Diseases. In otherwise good health and lacking insurance, these men are less likely to visit health care providers and get diagnosed, he said. “We don’t have great forums for discussion within these communities, so it’s challenging,” he said.
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Source
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| http://www.news-observer.com/ |
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Subjects
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Funding Issues
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
State Government Agencies
Statistics
Syphilis
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Disclaimer: NPIN provides this information as a public service only. The views and information provided about the materials, news, funding opportunities, organizations, and conferences do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, or NPIN.
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cdcnpin.org News Record #54322
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