CDC report on over 100 million sexually transmitted infections uncovers disturbing trends

Sexually transmitted infections are spreading rapidly among the youth according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) who announced there were 19.7 million new infections in 2008. Over 1/3 of the American population now carries a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise as new strains of chronic infectious diseases emerge. Half of these new infections occurred among people in the 15-24 age bracket, meaning most of the newly-infected are youth.

Another interesting fact was highlighted by CNSNews, which pointed out the pace of infection is faster than the pace of college graduation and job creation.

"By contrast," their article read, "there were 1,524,092 bachelor's degrees awarded in the United States in the 2007-2008 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That means the total number of new STIs in 2008 outpaced the total number of new bachelor's degrees by nearly 13 to 1, and the number of new STIs among Americans in the 15-to-24 age bracket outnumbered new bachelor's degrees by more than 6 to 1."

CNS also quoted the CDC as saying that new STI infections cost the U.S. economy $16 billion in direct medical costs yeah year.

The reports suggest that sexual promiscuity and risky behavior is on the rise among American youth. The data could suggest that campaigns that advocate "safe sex," that is the use of contraceptives instead of abstinence only, are failing our youth.

Many STIs have no cure, such as herpes and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has been linked to deadly cervical cancer in women.

Other, newer strains of old diseases are emerging which are difficult to treat, if not impossible. These diseases are more than just embarrassing and painful, they can be dangerous, affecting an individual's ability to produce children, or to grow normally in an intimate relationship with their spouse.

Despite these problems, the nation continues to rely on failed strategies such as contraceptives, abortions, and abortifacients, while promoting promiscuity among the youth.

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