Motion by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

March 28, 2000

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

The recent outbreak of syphilis among gay men has struck an alarm, and alerted us to the need to strengthen our vigilance against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Los Angeles County. This outbreak of syphilis has been startling in its intensity. The high number of cases stands in striking contrast to the backdrop of past years during which syphilis declined to an almost dormant rate. By comparison, the occurrence of more than 25 cases in recent weeks reveals an acute eruption of the disease in our community.

This outbreak suggests an increasing complacency regarding the practice of high-risk sexual activity. Because of progress in AIDS treatment in recent years, many individuals may have developed a false sense of security regarding the dangers inherent in the practice of unprotected sex.

We know from DHS reports that this outbreak, so far, has primarily involved individuals living in Hollywood and West Hollywood, with some reports coming from Silverlake and Long Beach. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment for syphilis, and our primary strategy must be to identify and treat all who are infected as soon as possible. This effort will fail unless we also carry out an action plan to prevent the kind of high-risk sexual activity that will lead to further spread of disease.

Our public health staff has initiated a number of effective strategies. However, this episode demands a comprehensive attack on all fronts, not only to eradicate the current outbreak, but also to address the underlying conditions that jeopardize the larger campaign against HIV and AIDS. Such an approach requires a unified commitment on the part of our public health agency and the community.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Board instruct the Director of Health Services to undertake the following actions aimed at preventing the further spread of HIV and STD:

A comprehensive media campaign focusing on the risks of unprotected sex and encouraging safe sex practices, including the use of condoms.
An aggressive plan for condom distribution in zip code areas associated with the outbreak.
An assessment of the role of public/commercial sex venues in contributing to the spread of disease, with recommendations for appropriate actions.
Strategies to assure more timely reporting of syphilis and other communicable diseases by physicians.

I FURTHER MOVE that the Director of Health Services report to the Board of Supervisors in two weeks or sooner on this matter, including an estimated budget and timeline.