Sexual and reproductive health in crisis

Australia has never had a comprehensive national sexual and reproductive health strategy, despite the (then) Department of Health and Aged Care recommending one in 2000.

Current strategies are disease focused and lack connection with inter-dependent factors such as drug and alcohol abuse, violence and the social determinants of health which make some populations within the community particularly vulnerable to poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

In particular, while the prevention of sexual transmissible infections gets some attention and government spending, there are no national, uniform, minimum standards for sexuality and sexual health education in our schools. Most education Ministers in the States and Territories have no idea what, if any, sexuality and relationships education is taught in each school.

Access to a full range of contraception is not available in many parts of Australia and community awareness of contraceptive methods, particularly emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill”) is low.

Compare this with the Netherlands where young people receive comprehensive sexuality education throughout their schooling and can easily access contraception at little or no cost. These initiatives, according to the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, have produced the best sexual and reproductive health outcomes in the world.

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) in conjunction with Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia (SH&FPA) and the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) earlier this year released a Background Paper and Call to Action for a National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy.

It outlines a clear, evidence based, prevention focused approach which aims to improve knowledge; access to quality health services across the lifespan; and a range of health outcomes.

This Call to Action has been sent to the Australian Government and to all members of the Victorian Parliament during the recent debate on abortion law reform. The time for leadership on this issue is now.

Poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes cannot be solved overnight, but there is much that can be done. The potential for positive change is huge. Reducing the number of women facing the stress of an unplanned pregnancy - therefore reducing the abortion rate is just one outcome we would all like to see.