OBJECTIVES: We estimated the number and cost of syphilis-attributable HIV cases among African Americans. METHODS: A mathematical model of HIV transmission was used to estimate the number of partnerships consisting of HIV-discordant African Americans in which infectious syphilis was present and the number of new HIV cases attributable to syphilis in these partnerships. RESULTS: In 2000, an estimated 545 new cases of HIV infection among African Americans could be attributed to the facilitative effects of infectious syphilis, at a cost of about 113 million dollars. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis prevention could reduce HIV incidence rates and the disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS on the African American community, resulting in substantial reductions in future HIV/AIDS medical costs.
OBJECTIVES: We estimated the number and cost of syphilis-attributable HIV cases among African Americans. METHODS: A mathematical model of HIV transmission was used to estimate the number of partnerships consisting of HIV-discordant African Americans in which infectious syphilis was present and the number of new HIV cases attributable to syphilis in these partnerships. RESULTS: In 2000, an estimated 545 new cases of HIV infection among African Americans could be attributed to the facilitative effects of infectious syphilis, at a cost of about 113 million dollars. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis prevention could reduce HIV incidence rates and the disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS on the African American community, resulting in substantial reductions in future HIV/AIDS medical costs.
Authors: D K Smith; M Gwinn; R M Selik; K S Miller; H Dean-Gaitor; P I Ma'at; K M De Cock; H D Gayle Journal: AIDS Date: 2000-06-16 Impact factor: 4.177
Authors: Lara S Coffin; Ashley Newberry; Holly Hagan; Charles M Cleland; Don C Des Jarlais; David C Perlman Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2009-04-09