Unlike the epidemic of AIDS, syphilis is easily prevented and easily cured when discovered early. Officials are particularly concerned because the persistence of syphilis reflects a glaring example of racial disparity in rates of infection. Wrote Marquis: "African Americans accounted for 75 percent of cases in 1999, with rates 30 times higher than for whites."

Although high concentrations of syphilis are rare in the United States, they do occur in certain countries where diabetes, tuberculosis, infant mortality, drug infestation, prostitution, unemployment and a host of other societal ills happen in frightening numbers. Today syphilis is a disease that is primarily found in areas of unmitigated poverty and general ill health. (Source: The Los Angeles Times.)