For the first time in almost a decade, the rate of new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases has fallen in Alberta – a welcome development that points to the success of education programs and the need for the fight to continue.
According to Alberta Health Services' 2010 annual report on notifiable STI cases, there were 16,298 cases reported, down from 17,217 in 2009, which was the highest year on record.
In addition, rates of new cases of HIV and AIDS continued to decrease for a second straight year, with 192 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in 2010, down from 219 a year earlier.
“I am very encouraged that the good work happening on the ground by our public health officials is starting to pay off,” said Fred Horne, Alberta health and wellness minister. “We know, however, that sexually transmitted infections remain an ongoing and serious public health concern. It is so very important that our health experts continue to work together and that Albertans take precautions so we can bring down STIs even more and sustain these gains into the future.”
Alberta recently launched a much-needed five-year strategy to tackle the issue of STIs in the province, focusing on education of residents of all ages, including young people.
Also as part of the strategy, Alberta Health has stepped up the hiring of clinical and outreach staff.
The decline in the number of new STI cases in Alberta is encouraging in many ways, including the fact that fewer Albertans will now have to live with the debilitating impacts of diseases such has syphilis and gonorrhea.
And, of course, fewer residents requiring medical treatment means a real and concrete saving for the hard-pressed health-care system. For every dollar spent treating new STI cases, there is one less dollar to spend on the treatment of cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening ailments.
Bringing about the latest decline in STI cases has required a concerted and hard-fought effort from many stakeholders, including doctors and nurses, pointing, in turn, to the fact that only through ongoing effort will the battle continue to be won.
“Through increasing awareness and enhancing our capacity for testing, followup and treatment we're working to encourage individuals to get tested and practise safe sex to reduce their risk,” said Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta's chief medical officer. “And we know it is working.”
The province should be applauded for its efforts to date in the fight against STIs and should be encouraged to continue that support over the coming year.
