Today NBC News did a story on the rapid rise of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the increase Tuesday. According to CDC, there were nearly 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis that were diagnosed in the U.S in 2017, surpassing the record in 2016 by more than 200,000.

Experts did report that the biggest contributor to the rise is less frequent condom use. Some researchers think dating apps like Tinder could have contributed to the increase. STDs are a huge problem on college campuses including the Eastern campus. Simple changes and practices can protect students from transmitting STDs. Use a condom during sexual intercourse, especially with a new partner, so you can be protected from these diseases. Only some researchers believe dating apps like Tinder have contributed to the rise of STDs, but we believe there is some credibility behind this statement. Tinder is a popular dating app among young single people, including college students.

So the next time you swipe right on someone and meet with them, take the steps needed to protect yourself by using a condom. The Health Education Resource Center on campus offers a program called Rubber Lovers. According to their website, Rubber Lovers is a program that educates students on condom use and other healthy sexual behaviors. After completion of the program, students may purchase safe sex supplies at a discounted rate at the Human Services Building.

Beginning in January there will be open sessions to help educate people on safe sex that will be held by Rubber Lovers in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. The schedule is on their website. Also on their website they offer number of presentations such as Rubber Lovers: Rainbow Edition: a presentation on safe sex that focuses on the LGBT Community. They also have a presentation that focuses on women and one that focuses on men.

Please practice safe sex practices here on campus. There are so many easy ways to get condoms on campus, so take advantage of that opportunity. Also, be careful when using apps like Tinder to meet other singles on campus.