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Syphilis is relatively easy to treat. But that fact hasn’t stopped an unremitting increase in the disease that is hitting Native Americans hardest. Public health officials say American Indian and Alaska Native people currently suffer the highest syphilis infection rates of any group in the country – and the highest recorded since the cure was discovered in 1941. The Indian Health Service warns cases of congenital syphilis have resulted in stillbirths or infant deaths shortly after birth. Medical officials have a series of detection and treatment recommendations. We’ll revisit the problem of syphilis infections and discuss the strategies for solving it.
GUESTS
Dr. Naomi Young (Navajo), family medicine physician and director of medical services at the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital
Dr. Loretta Christensen (Navajo), chief medical officer for the Indian Health Service
Break 1 Music: Steamboat Akalii Song (song) Jay Begaye (artist) Horses Are Our Journey World (album)
Break 2 Music: Ancestors (song) Mike Bern (artist) Ancestors (album)
