So That The People May Live

About this episode

The episode discusses the higher rates of syphilis among Native Americans and explores solutions with public health expert Meghan Curry O'Connell.

Compared to the U.S. overall, Native Americans/Alaska Natives have higher rates of syphilis but the disparity is most shocking with congenital syphilis (when newborns contract the infection). What's driving these infections in Native communities, and what can we do to reverse the tide? We explore this with our guest, Meghan Curry O'Connell, a citizen of the Cherokee nation, who's a physician and the Chief Public Health Officer with the Great Plains Tribal Leaders'Health Board, which represents18 tribal communities across South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Show Notes: Great Plains Tribal Leaders' Health Board ASHA's Syphilis Hub CDC's Syphilis Page

People in this episode

Guest: Meghan Curry O'Connell

Topics covered

• syphilis
• Native Americans
• public health
• congenital syphilis

Keywords

• health disparities
• tribal communities
• infection rates

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Great Plains Tribal Leaders' Health Board, ASHA's Syphilis Hub, CDC's Syphilis Page

Places: U.S., South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa

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