Toward a Broader Vision of Sexual Health in the New Millennium Eli Coleman, PhD Academic Chair in Sexual Health Professor and Director Program in Human Sexuality University of Minnesota Medical School

Developing National Strategies to Promote Sexual Health In the case of Australia and the United Kingdom, the strategies to promote sexual health were more specifically tied to HIV prevention. However, the US strategy was a broader sexual health strategy to address a myriad of sexual health problems and promote sexual health. health

Sexual Health: Surgeon General’s Call to Action (July 2001) Focused on the need to promote sexual health and responsible sexual behavior across the lifespan  Essential component of overall individual health  Has major impact on overall health of communities  National dialogue at all levels critical in improving population health Primary goal to stimulate respectful, thoughtful, and mature discussion in our communities and in our home about sexuality.

What is Sexual Health? WHO definition (2002; 2006)  state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality  not merely absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity.  requires a positive and respectful approach to sexual relationships, as well as possibility of having pleasurable & safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.  For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected, and fulfilled.

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Sexual and Reproductive Health ReproductiveHealth

Reproductive Health Sexual Health Sexual Violence STI Prevention and Treatment

Sexual Health – A Broad Unifying Concept ReproductiveHealth Sexual Health

WAS Priorities for Global Sexual Health: to achieve the UN-MDG and beyond 1. Recognize, promote, ensure and protect sexual rights for all 2. Advance toward gender equality and equity 3. Condemn, combat, and reduce all forms of sexuality related violence 4. Provide universal access to comprehensive sexuality education and information 5. Ensure that reproductive health programs recognize the centrality of sexual health 6. Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) 7. Identify, address and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions and disorders 8. Achieve recognition of sexual pleasure as a component of holistic health and well-being

Sexual Health Human Development

Physical Health Human Development Mental Health Sexual Health

Sexual Health Human Development

Sexual Health Human Development

Sexual Health as the Overarching Framework of HIV Prevention/ Reproductive Health Promotion

Key Elements of a Broad Sexual Health Approach goes beyond venereology a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual expression throughout the lifespan acknowledges sexuality as a basic and fundamental aspect of our humanness combats sexual coercion, shame, discrimination and violence. On an individual level promotes…  positive sexual identity and esteem,  honest communication and trust between partners,  the possibility of having pleasurable, fulfilling and satisfying sexual experiences,  taking responsibility of the consequences of one’s sexual choices and their impact on others,  and optimizing reproductive capacity and choice. At the community level, it is achieved through…  access to developmentally appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate sexuality education,  clinical and preventative sexual health services,  respect for individual differences and diversity  a lack of societal prejudice, stigma and discrimination.