72 percent of young people would like to learn more about sexual and reproductive health, according to a report from the Ministry of Health on Monday. There is a need for comprehensive sex education “at all ages,” Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) emphasized.
Sexual health is not sufficiently anchored in Austria’s healthcare system, which represents a significant gap in an important health area, according to a Health Ministry report published on Monday.
Inequality in sexual health care
Due to social structures and a historically shaped healthcare system, sexual and reproductive health continues to receive insufficient attention, the report continued. The Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) report is now also dedicated to social, cultural and socio-economic aspects that influence sexual and reproductive health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in August last year that, for example, condom use among sexually active adolescents has fallen significantly since 2014, while the rate of unprotected sex was worryingly high.
Closing supply gaps, breaking down barriers
Furthermore, the healthcare system requires modernization and adaptation, especially for marginalized groups, to ensure equal access. Vulnerable groups such as women, gender minorities, older people and people with disabilities are seriously affected by gaps in care exacerbated by social and structural barriers. International examples such as France, Ireland or the Netherlands show that a strategy in collaboration with relevant stakeholders can improve access to sexual health care.
“A key finding of this report and at the same time a strategic recommendation for action is the need to provide a coordinated picture of how sexual health can be comprehensively integrated and with quality assurance within and beyond the healthcare system in the future,” said Sylvia Gaiswinkler, author of the GÖG study.
New e-learning tool for healthcare professionals
The WHO provides an appropriate framework for this. A gender-sensitive, integrative approach could not only close the gaps, but also promote sexual self-determination and well-being of the population. “As a first step, we have developed a comprehensive e-learning tool to train healthcare workers on how to interact sensibly with gender diverse people,” Rauch explains.
The report makes it clear that there are currently no uniform regulations in Austria on how sexual and reproductive health is integrated into health promotion, prevention and care. Furthermore, access to information and advice varies considerably from state to state.
Source: Krone
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