After a decade of increase, the number of cases of gonorrhea declined by 12% in the United States between 1975 and 1984. During the same period gonorrhea rates declined by 20%. We examined age-, sex-, and race-specific gonorrhea cases and rates to determine whether the national trend has been occurring in all population groups. The greatest percentage decline in rates was 22.6% among 25-44-year-old men of other-than-white race, and the only increase (0.5%) occurred among white teenaged women. To control gonorrhea and its complications more effectively, more focused screening of young women and more rapid treatment of their sexual partners are necessary.
Adolescent Adult