The Clap Doctor The Father of Spin

“The Clap Doctor”, “The Father of Spin, ” and Other Historical Lessons for Syphilis Elimination Bill Petz North Carolina HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch

Treponema “What Will My Future Be Like? ”

“Syphilis Elimination: History in the Making” • “Current STD prevention & control not sufficient” • “New strategies required” • “Combining intensified traditional approaches with innovative approaches can generate new synergy and enhance effectiveness”

Five Strategies • • • Enhanced surveillance Enhanced health promotion Expanded clinical and laboratory services Rapid outbreak response* Strengthening community involvement and partnerships* *”new in many parts of US”

Community Involvement and Partnerships • “acknowledges and responds to the effects of racism, poverty, and other relevant social issues on the persistence of syphilis” • Other: Sexism, homophobia, substance abuse, stigma, distrust of government, privacy, confidentiality, prostitution • Still other: political will, moralistic judgment, …….

Not successfully included in past efforts to eliminate syphilis • Consideration of the social context in which syphilis persists • Affected communities and the agencies that serve them

Requirements for Success • Commitment, investment and collaboration of opinion leaders and program managers • Members and leaders of affected communities involved in design and delivery of services and shared ownership of interventions

History Already Made

Edward Bernays 1891 -1995 “Father of Public Relations” • • • Nephew of Freud Selling of WW I & II Women’s smoking Fluoridation of water “engineering of consent”

Edward Bernays • Medical Reviews of Reviews 1912 • Play “Damaged Goods” • Support actor Richard Bennett’s goal to produce the play • “Sociological Fund Committee” prominent membership and funding to educate public on STDs

Damaged Goods • Opened in NYC on Broadway March 1913 • Rave reviews for open discussion (not for the drama or acting) • Presented in Washington for government leaders April 1913 • Support from the powerful for value of the message

Dr. Ben Reitman 1879 -1942 • • • “The Clap Doctor” Born in poverty “King of Hobos” Lover and manager for Emma Goldman Birth control advocate Sociological studies Numerous affairs

Ben Reitman • • Cook County Remedy Company 1917 established Chicago’s first VD clinic 1922 Chicago VD campaign 1923 County jail & House of Detention Clinics established • 1924 Prevention information to 500, 000 homes; 1937 syphilis testing survey • 1937 Chicago Syphilis Control Project

Chicago Syphilis Control • One million tests in 2 years • Half of elementary school children tested • 42, 000 cases found • 20% of African American tested were infected

Chicago Syphilis Control • Reitman creates Chicago Society for Prevention of VD • 100 talks in 2 years • Takes leaders to high morbidity areas • Takes disenfranchised to churches, schools • Special Investigator for Project

Ben Reitman • Advocates for full and accurate information • Promotes barrier prevention rather than “moral prophylaxis” • Predicts condoms will be available in schools • Challenges authorities and fired

National Efforts • 1937 Surgeon General Parran’s program • Explicit public support from President Roosevelt • Collaboration with states, cities, community groups, business, churches • “bad blood war wagon” • Dr. Vanderlehr’s assessment

New and Innovative • • Social marketing Media advocacy Mobile units Jail and prison screening • Public opinion leaders • Faith based initiatives • Community advocacy

New synergy • ‘acknowledges, and responds to the effects of racism, poverty, and other relevant social issues on the persistence of syphilis” AND WORKS TO ELIMINATE THEM • Treats quality health care and health disparities as a justice issue • Broadens the concept of moral issues

Treponema “What Will My Future Be Like? ”

Bill Petz • 828 669 3350 • Bill. Petz@ncmail. net • Menshealthnc@mail. com