title: Sexual health in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD): implications for measurement and beyond.
abstract: This paper examines different dimensions of sexual health as related to the measurement of sexual health indicators and the proposed changes in the International Classification of Diseases to address issues related to sexuality and sexual health with an aim of informing health policy-making and programming. The lack of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating sexual health outcomes has impeded the development of policies and programmes that support sexual health. The potential impact of changes to the ICD-11 is major and far-reaching given that the ICD is used by countries to define eligibility and access to health services and to formulate relevant policies and laws, and is used by health professionals as a basis for conceptualizing health conditions, treatments and outcomes. Improving the measurement of sexual health-related indicators builds the evidence base on scientific knowledge of sex, sexuality, sexual health and rights. As we stand on the cusp of the post-2015 era and the development agenda transitions to the Sustainable Development Goals, a unique opportunity presents itself to further consider how sexual health is defined, conceptualized, and monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: choud@who.int.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cottler
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khosla
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Say
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011050:Policy Making; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: International Classification of Diseases; sexual health; sexual measurement; sexuality