Los Angeles County health officials need more comprehensive plan to reduce the spread of syphilis, says editorial
Do public health officials in Los Angeles County needs a comprehensive program, men who have sex with men to create ethnic minorities and women, the alarming increase in syphilis cases in the county new targets sidewalk, according to a Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles Times, 09.06). According to a report released last week by the City Department of Health Services, the number of new cases of syphilis in Los Angeles County increased by over 40% from 2004 to 2005, after staying relatively level for two years earlier.Men who have sex with men account for two thirds of new cases, the report said. Cases among women increased by 56%, from 89 in 2004 to 139 in 2005, accounting for 11% of new cases. The data also show that there is an increase of 49% of new cases among blacks, an increase
of 42% among Hispanics and an increase of 29% among whites (Kaiser Daily HIV / AIDS Report, 6 / 6). The health department must achieve women now identify those who are newly diagnosed and ensure that they and their partners are treated, according to the editorial.Although reducing rates among MSM may be more difficult, it is important to do so in order is to prevent a wave of new HIV infections, says the editorial concludes that if health personnel new to present strategies for the Council Los Angeles County supervisor next weeks, the board will find the resources to finance the plan and the new strain of syphilis infection (Los Angeles Times, 9.6).Reprinted with permission from Kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Report Kaiser Daily Health Policy, search the archives,or sign up for email delivery at Kaisernetwork / dailyreports / healthpolicy. Kaiser Health Policy Report is published for Kaisernetwork Journal, a free service of the J. Henry Kaiser Family Foundation. 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.