For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2001

SYPHILIS FESTERS IN GAY COMMUNITY

LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS, AIDS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERS CONVENE FOR ANATOMY OF A SYPHILIS OUTBREAK RESPONSE -- PART TWO

Los Angeles -- Syphilis, thought to be a disease of the past, is continuing to spread among gay men in Los Angeles County. On Thursday, January 18, 2001 Health officials in Los Angeles will provide data obtained during "Anatomy of a Syphilis Outbreak Response -- Part Two" and make recommendations to prevent further transmission. On Friday, January 19, health officials in San Francisco will host a similar update on the syphilis outbreak there.

"As syphilis goes, so goes HIV," said Lee Klosinski, Director of Education for AIDS Project Los Angeles. "Any sexually transmitted disease is a marker for HIV. Current prevention messages are not resonant with the target groups and people are having unsafe sex." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for every $1 spent on HIV/AIDS treatment and care, the federal government spends only 11 cents on prevention.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has not fulfilled all of its promises with regard to syphilis, especially the appointment of a liaison between commercial sex clubs and the Department of Health," continued Klosinski. "Failed promises cripple prevention efforts."

At the meeting, Health officials and community based organizations will address various approaches to prevention, early detection, ethnographic findings and geographic data.

AIDS Project Los Angeles, a non-profit community-based organization, provides direct services to more than 8,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. APLA provides extensive treatment and prevention education and advocacy on local, state and federal AIDS-related legislation Services include a food bank, professional dental care, housing assistance, child care, transportation, mental health counseling, case management, home health care and Adult and Child Buddy support.

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