Editorial: Sexual disease hike poses health threat

While sex scandals involving politicians have grabbed headlines recently, a more important trend in human sexuality demands attention. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are climbing in Minnesota and nationally -- especially among teens -- putting more people at risk for problems ranging from genital warts to cancer.

On Monday the Star Tribune reported that more than 17,000 Minnesotans were infected with an STD in 2007, an increase of nearly 4 percent over 2006. And last month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that a quarter of all women between 14 and 19 has at least one of the most common venereal diseases. Those alarming statistics demonstrate the need to better educate young people about the potential consequences of all types of sexual activity.

The CDC study tested a representative sample of teens for four infections -- including human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and affected 18 percent of girls studied. About 4 percent had chlamydia. Based on the results, the CDC estimated that some 3.2 million teenagers have STDs and face a variety of health risks, including infertility.

Experts in adolescent health say a variety of factors contribute to the problem. Young people are bombarded with images that portray sexual activity without any potential for negative consequences. Some young people believe that, because most STDs are treatable, there's little cause for concern. Others mistakenly think that certain sexual activities are safe, not understanding that touching, rubbing or oral sex can also spread disease. Clearly the study results make a strong case for more honest talk, sex education and more screening and vaccination for treatment and prevention. The high rates of HPV, for example, demonstrate the need to offer the recently developed vaccine to more young girls.

Last week a Minnesota legislative proposal to provide a modest $1.3 million for STD screening and public education failed to advance. However, lawmakers are considering a smart measure to allow doctors to prescribe antibiotics for patients and their sexual partners.

Also still in play at the Legislature is a bill that would require all schools to provide sex education to students in grades 7 through 12. The plan calls for beginning with an abstinence-first approach but includes information on contraception and STDs. Certainly there's a place for abstinence education. But with half of teens reporting that they are already sexually active, just saying no cannot be the only message. Information about safe sex must be offered, too.

Whether or not the state addresses the issue, families, communities and school leaders must. No matter how awkward or uncomfortable it may be, parents and other adults should do a better job of talking to young people about the risks and responsibilities. Their health and lives depend upon it.