Syphilis at High Mark through Inequalities

Live Science online quotes from the American Center for Disease Control in reporting that the number of cases of syphilis are at a seventy year high, and are particularly impacting African-American, latinx, and First Nation peoples.  "The U.S. syphilis epidemic worsened yet another year, and swift action is urgently needed to slow the curve," Dr. Laura Bachmann, acting director of the CDC's Division of STD Prevention, said in a statement.  "As disparities persist among some groups, it is evident that our nation must keep striving to address longstanding social inequalities that often lead to health inequalities and, ultimately, health disparities," Bachmann said.  Amongst the reasons suggested and being investigated for these figures, are a decline in condom use in a larger post-AIDS era, drug abuse issues within minority communities that lead to impaired judgement, and the Covid19 pandemic of 2020 as  it pulled focus away from the nation's monitoring of and response to STIs.  The UK sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, which emerged from the AIDS pandemic in the gay community to benefit all of society with knowledge and support, says "Most people get tested and treated for infections like syphilis at sexual health (or ‘GUM’) clinics. It's free and confidential. No one else, including your GP, will be told about your visit."  https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/sexual-health/stis/syphilis