I was reading my TMA Medical News Roundup email this morning, and the first item was about the rising number of syphilis cases in Texas. Last year, Texas cases increased 22%. Worse still, neonatal cases of syphilis jumped 39%. This disease is easily treated and cured. Not surprisingly it occurs most often among marginalized groups and disproportionately among the poor. In other words, syphilis thrives where healthcare is lacking. Sigh.
The next news item was about the CDC’s reporting an even higher peak of overdose deaths for the 12 months ending in April 2023. 111,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in that 12-month interval. It reminded me that I had recently read that this dead toll has occurred despite a 50% reduction in medical opioid prescriptions.
Much to my surprise and dismay, the subsequent news item was not about the adverse health effects of Rock ‘n Roll.