HIV spread continues, other STDs infections slow down in Australia

The number of Australians contracting HIV is the highest in the last 20 years, but health officials have found that the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is slowing there. Experts believe that the country's sexual health campaigns are contributing to a healthier population, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

In recent years, new HIV cases remained steady, but in 2009 an estimated 1,050 people tested positive for the infection. Approximately two thirds of the cases were among men who have sex with men, followed by heterosexual men and women, the news source reports.

While reports have shown that condom use has gone down, men have been more likely to share their STD status with their future partners. Furthermore, physicians are seeing a decline in the spread of gonorrhea, hepatitis and syphilis.

Edwina Wright, vice president of the Australasian Society of HIV Medicine, stated that "the reality is the figures have plateaued." She added that "of course, we'd like to see only 500 people or less being diagnosed each year, but it is clear the education campaigns have worked."

HIV is still a growing health concern in the U.S. as well, where approximately 1.1 million people were infected with the STD in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.