Black women had the highest rate of [genital herpes] infection at 48 percent and women were nearly twice likely as men to be infected, according to an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...I just love how scientists explain politically-uncomfortable facts, like the fact that the black herpes infection rate is twice that of the rate of whites**. The first explanation is that "the increased rate of infection in blacks" is due to "the higher rate of infection within the black community." True, I suppose, but not really all that enlightening when you think about it. The second explanation - that women are more susceptible than men - does not explain the racial difference at all unless there are so many black women compared to black men that they skew the sample. So what does explain the difference?
[Dr. John] Douglas said the increased rate of infection in blacks is not do* to increased risk behavior but likely due to biological factors that make women more susceptible as well as the higher rate of infection within black communities.
Well, we are assured that the increased prevalence of herpes is not due to "increased risk behavior." That means that black people with herpes are not to be accused of doing the kinds of things that cause one to catch herpes, at least not in proportion to the resultant catching of herpes. That would be blaming the victim, and probably racist to boot.
So what causes the spread of herpes if we have already excluded the idea that herpes is spread by the kinds of behaviors that spread herpes? That's what we need another grant to figure out, I guess.
* or "due," if you prefer.
** At least according to the CDC, which asks unanimous consent to revise and extend its conclusions. Science is not an exact science.







