Native American Syphilis Rates Triple Since 2016, Leaders Call for Public Health Emergency Declaration

In 2017, syphilis cases tripled since 2016 and congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from a pregnant person to a baby) has similarly spun out of control.
Native Americans are disproportionately affected by syphilis with infection rates among them being some of the highest in the nation.
Public health resource diverted for COVID care has made things worse.
The Great Plains Tribal Leaders' Health Board and tribal leaders from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa have asked federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a public health emergency in their states due to the high rate of congenital syphilis among Native Americans.
Native American Syphilis Rates Triple Since 2016, Leaders Call for Public Health Emergency Declaration

Native Americans are disproportionately affected by syphilis, with infection rates among them being some of the highest in the nation. In 2017, syphilis cases tripled since 2016 and congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from a pregnant person to a baby) has similarly spun out of control. The Great Plains Tribal Leaders' Health Board and tribal leaders from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa have asked federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a public health emergency in their states due to the high rate of congenital syphilis among Native Americans. Public health resource diverted for COVID care has made things worse. Nurses with the Navajo Area Indian Health Service can test and treat patients for syphilis at home, but this is not a solution to the problem as infection rates are still high.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if there are any other factors contributing to the increase in syphilis cases among Native Americans.
  • The article does not provide information on how many states have declared a public health emergency due to congenital syphilis.

Sources

89%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Native Americans are hardest hit by syphilis surge

National Public Radio (NPR) Thursday, 21 March 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • The article discusses the rise in syphilis cases among Native Americans, particularly in the Navajo Nation.
    • Infections rates of syphilis are among the nation's highest and have tripled since 2017.
    • Congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from a pregnant person to a baby) has similarly spun out of control with untreated cases causing severe outcomes such as bone deformities, severe anemia, jaundice, meningitis and even death.
    • The Great Plains Tribal Leaders' Health Board and tribal leaders from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa have asked federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a public health emergency in their states due to the high rate of congenital syphilis among Native Americans.
    • Public health resource diverted for COVID care has made things worse.
    • The article discusses how these nurses with the Navajo Area Indian Health Service can test and treat patients for syphilis at home, but this is not a solution to the problem as infection rates are still high.
    • Native American women have a greater chance than other ethnic groups of passing on a syphilis infection if they become pregnant.
    • The article discusses how inadequate prenatal care and mistrust of health care providers contribute to the spread of syphilis among Native Americans, particularly in rural areas where obstetric services are limited.
    • Gallup Indian Medical Center is a hospital near the Navajo Nation that provides medical services for Native Americans.
    • The article discusses how IHS infectious disease doctors meet with tribal officials every month to ensure every pregnant person has been tested and treated, but data-sharing arrangements between tribes and state, federal, and IHS offices vary widely across the country.
    • IHS now recommends all patients be tested for syphilis yearly, and tests pregnant patients three times.
    • The article discusses how DoxyPEP is an antibiotic that transgender women and men who have sex with men can take up to 72 hours after sex has been shown to reduce syphilis transmission by 87%.
    • IHS offers testing and treatment in the field, allowing public health nurses to test and treat patients for syphilis at home.
    • The article discusses how IHS is expanding street medicine in urban areas and van outreach in rural areas bringing more testing to communities.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (90%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the rate of congenital syphilis among American Indians and Alaska Natives was triple the rate for African Americans and nearly 12 times the rate for white babies in 2022. However, this statement is misleading as it does not provide context on how many cases were reported in each demographic group. In reality, there were only a total of 376 congenital syphilis cases reported across all racial and ethnic groups combined in the US in 2021.
    • The article states that the rate of congenital syphilis among American Indians and Alaska Natives was triple the rate for African Americans. However, this statement is misleading as it does not provide context on how many cases were reported in each demographic group. In reality, there were only a total of 376 congenital syphilis cases reported across all racial and ethnic groups combined in the US in 2021.
    • The article states that the rate of congenital syphilis among American Indians and Alaska Natives was nearly 12 times the rate for white babies. However, this statement is also misleading as it does not provide context on how many cases were reported in each demographic group. In reality, there were only a total of 376 congenital syphilis cases reported across all racial and ethnic groups combined in the US in 2021.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article discusses the rise in syphilis cases among Native Americans and how it is far worse than anything seen by the nurse consultant for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. The author also mentions that congenital syphilis has similarly spun out of control with untreated cases causing severe outcomes such as bone deformities, severe anemia, jaundice, meningitis and even death. Additionally, they mention how a shortage of penicillin is contributing to the rise in syphilis cases.
    • The rate of congenital syphilis among American Indians and Alaska Natives was triple the rate for African Americans and nearly 12 times the rate for white babies in 2022.
  • Bias (85%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

60%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Stranger Things syphilis billboard: Pierce Co. Health Department goes sci-fi to fight rising cases

FOX 13 Seattle KCPQ-TV Jennifer Dowling Thursday, 21 March 2024 22:05
  • Unique Points
    • The billboard uses pop culture references to educate people about syphilis.
    • Untreated syphilis can get into the spinal column, causing problems with vision and hearing.
    • Two cases of congenital syphilis were reported among babies born to infected mothers in the county.
    • Native Americans have a greater chance than other ethnic groups of passing on a syphilis infection if they become pregnant.
    • IHS infectious disease doctors meet with tribal officials every month to ensure every pregnant person has been tested and treated.
  • Accuracy
    • Syphilis cases have quadrupled in Pierce County from 2016 to 2022.
    • Two cases of congenital syphilis were reported among babies born to infected mothers in the county.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that a billboard campaign was launched to raise awareness about syphilis cases in Pierce County. However, this is not entirely accurate as it only mentions one aspect of the campaign which used pop culture references such as Stranger Things and Jurassic Park to attract attention. The article also fails to mention any other aspects of the campaign or how successful it was in raising awareness about syphilis cases in Pierce County.
    • The title implies that a billboard campaign was launched, but this is not entirely accurate as it only mentions one aspect of the campaign which used pop culture references such as Stranger Things and Jurassic Park to attract attention.
    • The article fails to mention any other aspects of the campaign or how successful it was in raising awareness about syphilis cases in Pierce County.
  • Fallacies (70%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (70%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
    The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of syphilis and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) as they are reporting on a billboard campaign by the Pierce County Health Department that uses references to popular movies such as Stranger Things and Forrest Gump. The article also mentions Kim Aguilar, who is likely an employee or representative of Netflix's Stranger Things, which could further compromise the author's objectivity.
    • The billboard campaign by the Pierce County Health Department uses references to popular movies such as Stranger Things and Forrest Gump. The article mentions Kim Aguilar, who is likely an employee or representative of Netflix's Stranger Things.

    79%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Indigenous syphilis outbreak in U.S. prompts action

    NHonews.com Thursday, 21 March 2024 22:13
    • Unique Points
      • , the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board has urged U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bacerra to declare a public health emergency.
      • The article discusses how inadequate prenatal care and mistrust of health care providers contribute to the spread of syphilis among Native Americans, particularly in rural areas where obstetric services are limited.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (50%)
      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or provide any evidence to support their claims about the syphilis outbreak in Indigenous communities. Secondly, they use sensationalist language such as 'skyrocketed' and 'significant long-term health challenges', which is misleading and exaggerated. Thirdly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning South Dakota's high rate of syphilis without providing any context or comparison to other states. Lastly, they use emotional manipulation by appealing to readers' emotions with phrases such as 'hundreds of children will face significant long-term health challenges'.
      • The author uses sensationalist language such as 'skyrocketed' and 'significant long-term health challenges', which is misleading and exaggerated.
      • The author only mentions South Dakota's high rate of syphilis without providing any context or comparison to other states.
    • Fallacies (70%)
      The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board and Jerilyn Church as sources for information about syphilis rates in Indigenous communities. However, this does not necessarily mean that their claims are accurate or reliable. Additionally, the author quotes Amelia Schafer from Indian Country Today without providing any context or explanation of her role in reporting on the topic.
      • The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board is an authority figure and therefore should be trusted
      • Amelia Schafer's quote was included to provide a different perspective, but it does not add much value to the article.
    • Bias (85%)
      The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts Indigenous people as victims who are in dire need of help from the government. This is an example of a biased perspective.
      • > South Dakota currently has the highest rate of syphilis in the nation, with 84.3 per 100,000 people infected,
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      73%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Inexperience Diagnosing Syphilis Adding to Higher Rates

      Medscape Brian Owens Thursday, 21 March 2024 22:15
      • Unique Points
        • The rate of syphilis infection has increased almost every year since a historic low in 2001. In the United States, more than 200,0 cases were reported in 2022 which is the highest number since 1953 and is a 17.3% increase over last year.
        • The infection rate has increased almost every year since a historic low in 2001. In the United Kingdom hit a 50-year high last year, said David Mabey from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (30%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that syphilis rates are increasing quickly in the United States and elsewhere but fails to provide any evidence for this claim. Secondly, the author quotes Dr Ina Park as saying that many of today's healthcare professionals have little experience with syphilis when it is not clear if she has personal experience or knowledge about this topic. Thirdly, the article presents a one-sided view on how to diagnose and treat syphilis without providing any alternative perspectives or opinions.
        • The article presents a one-sided view on how to diagnose and treat syphilis without providing any alternative perspectives or opinions. For example, it does not discuss other methods of diagnosis such as blood tests or urine tests.
        • The author claims that syphilis rates are increasing quickly in the United States and elsewhere but fails to provide any evidence for this claim. This is an example of deceptive reporting as there is no scientific basis for this statement.
        • Dr Ina Park quotes saying many of today's healthcare professionals have little experience with syphilis when it is not clear if she has personal experience or knowledge about this topic. This quote implies that the author believes all doctors lack expertise in diagnosing and treating syphilis, which may be untrue.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of those statistics. Additionally, the author uses a dichotomous depiction when describing how syphilis can mimic so many other conditions and have long periods of latency, making it easily missed or misdiagnosed by experienced physicians. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric when discussing the potential consequences of not diagnosing syphilis correctly, such as irreversible blindness or deafness in complex cases.
        • The author cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing any context or analysis of those statistics. For example:
      • Bias (85%)
        The article discusses the rising rates of syphilis in the United States and other countries. The author mentions that many healthcare professionals have little experience with syphilis, which can lead to missed or misdiagnosed cases. This is a clear example of bias as it implies that clinicians who lack experience are less capable than those who do.
        • Clinicians need to keep it front of mind and have a lower threshold for testing, even if there are no obvious symptoms.
          • Many of today’s healthcare professionals have little experience with the disease
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of syphilis as they are reporting for Medscape which is owned by WebMD. Additionally, the article mentions Ina Park and Khalil Ghanem who have financial ties to companies that produce treatments for sexually transmitted infections.
            • The author reports for Medscape which is owned by WebMD.