Have your say on Brighton & Hove’s new Sexual Health Strategy
Residents, organisations and professionals are invited to share their views on our new Sexual Health Strategy 2025 - 2030, which sets out our ambitions for improving sexual health and reproductive health in Brighton & Hove.
We are launching the consultation during Sexual Health Week 2025, which this year focuses on exploring how recent rapid advances in technology and AI are influencing our attitudes and behaviours around sex and relationships.
Looking to the future, the draft strategy outlines our plans to improve access to good quality sexual health and contraception services, provide comprehensive information about sexual health, and enable individuals to live in a city that promotes sexual health and reproductive choice.
Local insights
Brighton & Hove continues to see higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV than the national average.
While the city has a strong record in prevention, testing and treatment, the new strategy recognises the need to both sustain this work and explore new, innovative approaches.
What is sexual health?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes how sexual health encompasses a variety of issues, ranging from sexual orientation, expression, relationships and pleasure to potential adverse consequences such as infections, unwanted pregnancy, sexual dysfunction, violence and harmful practices.
Sexual health and reproductive health are influenced by many factors, such as social norms, cultural attitudes, stigma, income, knowledge and education, sex, gender and sexual orientation.
Our vision and priorities
The strategy sets out a vision for Brighton & Hove where:
- Everyone is empowered to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, with their rights respected and protected.
- Services are confidential, accessible and comprehensive, tailored to individual needs.
- A positive and respectful approach to sexuality and relationships is promoted, free from stigma, exploitation and violence.
The strategy sets out four main priorities:
- Reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections.
- Reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.
- Ending new transmissions of HIV by 2030.
- Reducing inequalities in sexual and reproductive health.
The strategy has been developed in partnership with health professionals, voluntary and community groups, and local residents. It is based on national and local evidence, policy and the city’s most recent health needs assessment.
The strategy supports our wider council plan for Brighton & Hove to be a city to be proud of, a fair and inclusive city, a healthy city where people thrive and a responsive council with well-run services, and builds on our Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2030 recommendation for sexual health to be improved.
Have your say
The consultation is open until 28 October. You can read the draft strategy and share your views on the Your Voice platform.
Your feedback will help shape the final strategy, ensuring it reflects the needs and experiences of everyone in Brighton & Hove.
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