U.S. researchers reported this week that the reluctance to talk about sex and protection has led to an increase in STD infections, especially among vulnerable teens.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis infections continue to spread in the United States, according to the latest statistics.

John Douglas, director of the division of sexually transmitted diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the U.S. has among the highest rates of STDs of any developed country in the world.

In June, the Obama administration announced that they would be cutting most federal funding for abstinence-only sex ed programs saying that their policy “reflects the research."

Numerous studies suggest that abstinence-only approaches do not work well and that it is better to encourage abstinence while also offering children and teens information about how to protect themselves from diseases as well as pregnancy.

The CDC says their latest study provides further proof of the need for comprehensive sex education. The research revealed that:

• 1.2 million cases of Chlamydia were reported in 2008, up from 1.1 million in 2007.
• Nearly 337,000 cases of gonorrhea were reported.
• Adolescent girls 15 to 19 years had the most Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases (409,531)of any age group.
• Blacks, who represent 12% of the U.S. population, accounted for about 71% of reported gonorrhea cases and almost half of all Chlamydia and syphilis cases last year.
• Black women 15 to 19 had the highest rates of Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Syphilis, nearly eradicated a decade ago, saw an increase of 18% since 2007, with 13,500 cases reported in 2008.

Antiobiotics can cure syphilis, but if left untreated, Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy and can infect newborns.

"Better sex education can help. We are not honestly and openly dealing with this issue and it's the larger issue of sexual health," Douglas said.

Douglas suggests children and teens need to know about condom use, and should limit their number of sex partners and avoid sex with people who do have many other sex partners.

Some 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year, almost half among 15- to 24-year-olds, according to CDC estimates.

What can you do?

Educate yourself about STDS and share your knowledge.

• Talk to your sexually active friends about the risks.
• Create a presentation for health class.