This information gave them a new target to direct their programs at. With continued monitoring, the CDC found a rise in the cases of syphilis in the 1980's in large cities. They found that it was especially devastating among disadvantaged minority groups. This led the CDC to start a prevention education program targeted at people age 15-30 living in urban areas. This has led us to the lowest rates for syphilis in forty years.
Epidemiologists are essential in tracking a disease and determining who is at risk.
Programs must be specific to the group of people most at risk. Without the efforts of the CDC and local public health programs, syphilis would be unlikely to be so under control today. Most people now consider prevention to be just as vital to public health as finding a cure. Public health education measures seem to be extremely effective when dealing with syphilis. We can see this by the drop in the rates of new cases when the CDC makes a push for education.