What does this measure?
TThe number of people who are reported to be infected with early syphilis, per 10,000 residents in Monroe County, broken down by race/ethnicity.
Why is this important?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is preventable and can be treated and cured if caught early. However, it can cause harmful and costly complications if left untreated, including reproductive health problems, fetal and perinatal health problems, can spread to the brain and nervous system and could result in death.
How is our region performing?
In 2019, early syphilis rates were highest among Monroe County's black or African American residents, with 11 cases for every 10,000 residents. Rates were also higher among Hispanic residents in 2019 at 6. White residents in Monroe County have consistently had the lowest rate for early syphilis, at 1.9 cases for every 10,000 residents in 2019.
Why do these disparities exist?
Racial disparities in early syphilis infection are the result of several factors including poverty, education level, language status, health coverage, health care quality and employment. When access to health care is limited, preventive health screenings may not take place. Mistrust of the health care system may delay Blacks and Hispanics from connecting with the health system for testing and treatment for conditions including sexually transmitted diseases. Living in a community with a high incidence of sexually transmitted disease, having a high number of sexual partners and lack of condom use can all increase the likelihood of infection. Stress caused by racism can weaken the immune system increasing the susceptibility to a STD. A distorted self-image that results from internalized racism can also contribute to involvement with risky sexual behaviors and/or delay in health care. These disparities are further complicated when race intersects with homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia.
Notes about the data
Not all sexually transmitted disease cases are reported. Variations in screening procedures and community awareness can have an impact on recorded trends. The numbers of cases are too low to be broken down by race and ethnicity for the city of Rochester. Early syphilis includes any of the first three stages of syphilis (primary, secondary or early latent of less than 1 year duration).
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 10.9 | 6.2 | 1.9 |
Notes: Rates are cases per 10,000 residents for the respective racial/ethnic group.
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 131 | 42 | 110 |
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Notes: Rates are cases per 10,000 residents for the respective racial/ethnic group.
Black or African American | Latino or Hispanic | White | |
---|---|---|---|
Monroe | 1 | 0 | 0 |



INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic | REGIONAL VALUE | YEAR | NYS COMPARISON | TREND | REGION |
---|---|---|---|---|
People Without Health Insurance | 5% | 2018 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Supply of Doctors | 35.1 | 2018 |
1
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Mortality Rate | 700 | 2017 |
1
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Chlamydia Rate | 55 | 2018 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Gonorrhea Rate | 18 | 2018 |
3
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Early Syphilis Rates | 1.8 | 2018 |
3
![]() |
1
Increasing
|
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
People Living with HIV | 103 | 2018 | 0 |
1
Increasing
|
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity | 2018 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
People Living with AIDS | 136 | 2018 | 0 |
1
Increasing
|
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity | 2018 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | ||
Alcohol-related Crashes | 3.0 | 2019 |
2
![]() |
-1
Decreasing
|
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance | 2019 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* |


