One local organization is working to break down barriers around testing for and even talking about sexually transmitted diseases with teenagers.
Deric Kimler is the executive director of Central Illinois Friends. The group was started in 1990 by a group of local citizens concerned about the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since then, the group has expanded into sex education and STD testing, prevention and treatment referrals throughout the 16 Central Illinois counties they serve.
He said when his organization first started offering testing to sexually-active youth at Peoria’s three high schools three years ago, 22 percent tested positive for something. Today, that number is six percent.
Kimler said Central Illinois Friends works with the Hult Center for Healthy Living to begin providing sexual education for Peoria Public Schools District 150 students in the 7th grade. That earlier education may be having an impact now.
“Between having that comprehensive, evidence-based sexual education, and eliminating the barriers to access, providing 100 percent free, no strings attached testing, we actually are able to make a positive change in our youth," he said.
2017 data from the Peoria City/County Health Department showed STD rates are highest in Peoria County among people ages 15 to 29. Reported data indicates gonorrhea and chlymidia rates are 1.5 to 3 times higher in Peoria County than elsewhere throughout the state.
Kimler said rates are likely higher for other sexually-transmitted diseases for which data isn't collected, like the parasite trichomoniasis, HPV and herpes.
He said the stigma surrounding discussion of sex in the United States has led to higher STD rates here than other industrialized countries throughout the world. But Kimler said safe sex is one issue we shouldn't be afraid to tackle.
“That’s how people come about - is sex. And if we’re not adult enough to talk about sex, who is?”
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