The U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee
Watch the videos of CDC’s special presentation from November 30th below – Recognition, Remembrance, and Reflection: The Syphilis Study at Tuskegee and Macon County, Alabama.
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Syphilis Study at Tuskegee was conducted between 1932 and 1972 to observe the natural history of untreated syphilis. As part of the study, researchers did not collect informed consent from participants and they did not offer treatment, even after it was widely available. The study ended in 1972 on the recommendation of an Ad Hoc Advisory Panel. After the study, sweeping changes to standard research practices were made. Efforts to promote the highest ethical standards in research are ongoing today.