New Data Show Syphilis Threatens the Health of a New Generation of Gay and Bisex

[SandraJane]

CDC

New Data Show Syphilis Threatens the Health of a New Generation of Gay and Bisexual Men

Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men bear the greatest syphilis burden
NCHHSTP Newsroom  For immediate release: August 2, 2011

http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/SyphilisRatesMSM.html

Today, CDC researchers published the first national-level analysis that compares trends in primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) by age group and race/ethnicity; the analysis found that recent increases in P&S syphilis in this population are occurring mostly among young MSM, aged 15-29 years. P&S syphilis reflects recent infection with the sexually transmitted disease, and can facilitate HIV transmission. The analysis also showed that black and Hispanic MSM bear a greater burden of P&S syphilis, with rates 8 and 2.4 times the increases of white MSM, respectively.