Advancing reproductive health of young people in the European region.
Evidence that neglect of the sexual and reproductive health needs and problems of young people can seriously jeopardize their health and future well-being is growing. Addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs and problems of adolescents is a crucial element of both WHO European Regional Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and WHO Global Reproductive Health Strategy. Although the range of reproductive health challenges in young people includes a broad list of issues, this paper focuses on the key public health concerns that have a major impact on young people's future opportunities, such as adolescent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and on policy implications. As those challenges are largely related to unsafe sex behaviours, the paper is also looking at issues related to sexuality education, its effectivenes and policy development implications.
Baltag
Valentina
V
Division of Country Health Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen. vba@euro.wjo.int
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult