After decades of public health programs, awareness campaigns and the elimination of the stigma surrounding contraception, the rate of sexually transmitted diseases has been steadily decreasing. Until now.

Rhode Islanders — and much of the rest of the country — are apparently engaging in much riskier sexual behavior and the result is a dramatic swing from declining rates to skyrocketing rates in cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV and other STDs, according to recently-released data by the state Department of Health. From 2013 to 2014, the number of infections syphilis cases increased by a whopping 79 percent. Gonorrhea cases increased by 30 percent. Newly-identified HIV cases increased by nearly 33 percent.

And that data doesn't take into account all the unreported cases. "These data send a clear signal that despite the progress we have made in reducing STDs and HIV over the years, there is more work to do," said Nicole Alexander-Scott, Director Designee at the health department. "We are fortunate in Rhode Island to have great partnerships among state agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare providers to continue to educate, test, and treat for sexually transmitted diseases. This trend reminds us that we cannot become complacent."

What's the cause? Some of it comes from better testing from healthcare providers, officials said. But it's clear that people are engaging in more high risk behavior. "High-risk behaviors include using social media to arrange casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, having sex without a condom, having multiple sex partners, and having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol," the health department said in a statement.



The health department said that new HIV/AIDS and syphilis cases increased at a faster rate among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men at a faster rate than other populations. Infection rates of all STDs have a greater impact on African-American, Hispanic and young adult populations.

Much of world was in denial about AIDS until the mid 1980s, when the general public finally came to understand that the epidemic also affected heterosexual men and women, and children. Over the next two decades, public-awareness campaigns coupled with testing of pregnant women helped to nearly eliminate the number of Rhode Island babies born with HIV. Needle exchange programs also drastically reduced infection rates among injection drug users.

The health department said that education about prevention, routine testing and treatment are priorities. One effort involves collaboration with state agencies and community partners to promote free and low-cost HIV and STD testing services. The state education department also works under a grant to make sexual health education more accessible to high school students. Some of those measures include promoting abstinence. "These new data underscore the importance of encouraging young people to begin talking to a doctor, nurse, or health educator about sexual health before becoming sexually active and especially after becoming sexually active," said Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, EdD, RIDE HIV/AIDS Sexuality Specialist. "It's never too early to learn about making HIV and STD testing part of routine healthcare. Doctors and nurses are trained to discuss sensitive topics like sex, and conversations with them are confidential. Health educators at schools or community health centers are great resources too."