
by Associated Press
Published: Sat, May 17, 2008 - 6:22 pm CST
Last Updated: Sat, May 17, 2008 - 6:40 pm CST
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford saysbanners for a health campaign pointing out that Jefferson County
leads the nation in syphilis rates are bad for the area's image and
wants them removed.
Langford asked the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority
yesterday take the banners off of 10 buses that show the county's
national ranking.
He says the ads make it hard to attract new businesses and the
problem should be addressed in other ways.
Jefferson County's syphilis ranking comes from a 2006 report by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The county's health department began the public awareness
campaign in September.
Transit director David Hill said it spreads a good message but
he doesn't want to cause controversy with any ads.
Health department officials said they were surprised by the
reaction and they won't stop their education efforts.
Mobile County Health Department Offering Free STD Tests









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