Making Progress on Young People’s Sexual Health

Dr Jane WilkinsonDeputy Chief Medical Officer 6th February 2008

Sexually Transmitted Infections

New Diagnoses at Welsh GUM Clinics

Source: Health Protection Agency

....Chlamydia rates have risen, but have we turned a corner?

Source: Health Protection Agency

Num

ber

Wales is doing better than other parts of the UK

Source: Health Protection Agency

Num

ber

Males Females

Patterns of infection are changing, we can make a difference

Source: Health Protection Agency

1 Uncomplicated chlamydia/gonorrhoea diagnosed in GUM clinics.2 First attack of genital warts/genital herpes diagnosed in GUM clinics.3 HIV diagnosed in a variety of settings. Rates of new HIV diagnoses from

2003 onwards are adjusted for reporting delays.4 Rates of chlamydia diagnoses should be interpreted in the context of

increasing use of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests.

Teenage Pregnancy

Conception rates have remained relatively stable

Source: Stats Wales

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Source: Stats Wales

Wide variation across Wales - Under 18 Conceptions 2005

Wales = 43.6 per 100,000

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Access to Services in Wales

• Quality requirements for Sexual Health Services in Wales to be launched in 2008

• Gauge opinion on how and where we need to focus our effort to improve our services in Wales

• ‘Education and access to sexual health services are key to reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, as well as being essential to improving the overall health of our young people.’

Improving quality in Wales

• Public Health is not the only sector with an interest - we need to build new, and reinforce existing bridges

• Education is key to deliver change

• Public Health programmes must and will integrate Sexual Health education and personal relations programmes

Building Bridges - Working with other partners

• Universities and Higher Education, key area for our efforts

• Working with the National Union of Students

• Partners for promoting sexual health services amongst students

Reaching into communities of need

• Service management focus on improving services through Service and Financial Framework (SAFF)

• Data quality and usage still a problems - development of Sexual Health Minimum Data set

• Welsh approaches to Welsh situation

Where is our focus?

A Healthy Future: A Public Health Strategic Framework for Wales

• Socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions

• Children and Young People

• Healthy Eating, Food and Fitness

• Health-related behaviours and risk (including smoking, alcohol, drugs, sexual health)

• Limiting Long-term health conditions

• Mental Health

• Supporting Local Public Health Delivery

Public Health Strategic Framework

• Data from the last year shows we can turn infection rates around - you are making a difference

• We need to harness our resources together to address our Welsh issues

• Keep talking, keep networking, learn from each other and make sure that people know the good things you are doing.

...and the future?

Thank you very much

Diolch yn fawr

Dr Jane WilkinsonDeputy Chief Medical Officer Welsh Assembly GovernmentCathays ParkCardiffCF10 3NQ