Downplaying an issue that is increasingly impacting people is a way to ignore figuring out why the numbers are going up, despite our ability to treat some strains going down.
And if a disease is sexually transmitted, even science might agree that changing sexual behaviors could change transmission rates. I don't think your doctor is telling folks to go have lots of unprotected sex.
My intent wasn't to downplay anything.
Obviously the rise of any disease or condition is an issue.
My point was, with diseases that exist within the realm having some sort of overlap with an activity that someone is ideologically opposed to, people will tend use that as some sort of validation of their own ideological view, and suggest things like "the solution to this would be simple if people would just do it our way", and tout their own preferred approach as an exclusive solution.
(that's obviously in addition to any societal stigmas that exist due to a large portion of the population stigmatizing the related activities)
For instance, when discussing issues within the public schools, while most would simply look to see what changes could address those issues, a staunch homeschooling advocate will likely suggest "We wouldn't have these problems if everyone would just pull their kids out and home school them like we do!"
While it's true that abstaining from certain things will lower risks, that doesn't actually "solve the issue" per say, as avoidance doesn't address the problem.
A more real-world practical example. I have seasonal allergies that really act up (if I don't use my eye drops and nasal sprays) when I go out the in woods and do my hikes and photography (which I enjoy doing).
Sure, "this could all be solved if you just avoided wooded areas for 120 days out of the year", but it's not a very practical approach given that human nature is doing to drive many folks to do things they find to be enjoyable.
