The rate of primary and secondary syphilis among blacks was 5.1 times higher than whites in 2003, but 5.6 times higher in 2004

JAMA:

P&S syphilis incidence varied by race/ethnicity. From 2000 to 2003, the incidence among blacks decreased from 12 to 7.7 cases per 100,000 population but increased to 9.0 in 2004. Rates increased among whites each year from 2000 to 2004 (from 0.5 to 1.6), Hispanics (from 1.6 to 3.2), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (from 0.3 to 1.2). The rate among American Indian/Alaska Natives increased from 2000 to 2001 (from 2.2 to 3.8), decreased to 2.1 in 2002, and then increased to 3.2 in 2004.

Although the rate of P&S syphilis among blacks increased in 2004, substantial increases occurred only among black men (14 cases per 100,000 population in 2004 versus 12 in 2003). For the first time since 1991, rates among black women did not decrease (4.3 in 2004 versus 4.2 in 2003). From 2000 to 2004, the black M:F rate ratio increased from 1.4 to 3.3.

Racial/ethnic disparities in P&S syphilis persist. The increase in the overall P&S rate among blacks in 2004 represents the first year since 1993 that the disparity between black and white rates of P&S syphilis increased. In 2003, the rate among blacks was 5.1 times that among whites (7.7 versus 1.5 cases per 100,000 population). In 2004, the rate among blacks increased and was 5.6 times higher than that among whites (9.0 versus 1.6). From 2000 to 2004, rates of P&S syphilis were higher among black men and women than among white men and women, respectively. Rates among black men increased by 23% from 2003 to 2004, whereas rates among black women increased by 2%. Among Hispanics, the rate among men increased by 12% and decreased among women by 13%.

Health Department: Syphilis Cases Tripled From 2004 To 2005