An unkind cut as syphilis rises

Graves, a disease intervention specialist with the Houston Health Department, standing for a portrait outside the department office before she heads out to meet with clients in Houston. — AP

THEY had been promised US$1bil investment to strengthen the ranks of people who track and try to prevent sexually transmitted diseases – especially the rapid increase of syphilis cases.

However, state and local health departments across the US found out in June that they would be losing the final two years of the investment.