Sexual health is fundamental to overall health and well-being, gender equality as well as broader social and economic development.
Sexual health refers to a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Immense suffering can occur when people lack bodily autonomy, control over their fertility or the freedom to experience safe, consensual and satisfying sexual relationships.
WHO remains committed to advancing sexual health and well-being across the life course as integral components of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and fostering healthy societies in which all people experience their sexuality positively and with dignity.
Late last year, WHO released its Sexual Health Assessment of Practices and Experiences (SHAPE) questionnaire. The questionnaire is intended to improve the collection and comparison of relevant data on sexual practices and sexual health-related outcomes across countries. Recently, WHO launched its global research priorities for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are widespread globally, and gaps in both evidence and available tools have hindered STI prevention, control and management. WHO’s global research priorities identify the most important areas of research to address the public health needs that exist with respect to STIs. WHO is also engaged in inter-agency efforts to build support for and address resistance to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) by emphasizing the science and evidence underpinning CSE.
Building on a track record of work in this area, WHO is strengthening research and programmatic work on elements of sexual health and well-being that have received less attention and funding to date, including menstrual health, endometriosis and menopause. For example, following a side event on Menstrual health and hygiene: self-care from health policy to action co-hosted by the governments of Sweden, Costa Rica and the UK during the 77th World Health Assembly, WHO is beginning the process of developing global normative guidelines for Member States on menstrual health and hygiene, endometriosis and menopause.
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Today, in celebration of World Sexual Health Day 2024, you can join the webinar where our colleague Dr Jenny Cresswell will speak on the topic: “Connecting the dots: The role of data in advancing SRHR”. This is an online panel discussion of the role of data collection, analysis and reporting in advancing SRHR including sexual health and well-being.
Next week Tuesday 10 September at 3 pm CEST, don’t miss a Live video Q&A on adolescents and sexual health. Please visit WHO’s social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube.
Finally, the Bulletin of the World Health Organization will publish a special theme issue on sexual health and well-being across the life course in December 2024. This special issue will share evidence and perspectives that take inclusive and holistic approaches to sexual health and well-being for people in all their diversity and across their life course, including individuals and communities for whom sexual activity may be seen as inappropriate.
WHO recognizes the need for an inclusive approach to advancing comprehensive SRHR that addresses the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health for individuals worldwide, including their sexual health and well-being.