SUCCESSFUL ERADICATION OF SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN THE PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE 21ST-CENTURY

The global control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represents a daunting task, and there have been very few examples of success. The scope of the STD problem in China before the formation of the Peoples ' Republic and the effects of a governmental STD control program were reviewed. In major cities, 10 degrees of the population had syphilis, reaching 50% prevalence in some rural minorities. By 1964, STDs in Chi na were virtually eliminated through a program that destigmatized STDs , provided an infrastructure for case finding and therapy, and elimina ted prostitution. The Peoples' Republic of China demonstrated the poss ibility of eliminating STDs, at least for some period of time. Althoug h the Chinese approach may not be ideal for Western democracies, under standing some features of the Chinese program may help in designing a strategy for the eradication of human immunodeficiency virus when or i f treatment becomes available.