Physicians urge importance of sex-positive health approaches

A sexual health framework that focuses on both disease control and complex individual factors is needed in primary care settings to improve reproductive and sexual health morbidity, as well as health equity, according to a recently published commentary in JAMA. 

“Implementing activities aligned with sexual health framework would improve a range of outcomes important to health across the life course. Ultimately, these changes would lead to a reduction in central public health outcomes including HIV/AIDS, [sexually transmitted infections], viral hepatitis, unintended pregnancy and sexual violence,” David Satcher, MD, PhD, of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and colleagues wrote. 

Satcher and colleagues addressed the importance of considering sexual health as a national health priority shifting away from a framework that focuses heavily on disease and instead focuses on respectful and positive approaches to sexual health and sexual relationships.

The framework suggested by Satcher and colleague, which focuses on evolving sexual health on the individual, relationship, community and societal levels, would consist of four key concepts:

• Focus on healthcare wellness, rather than just the prevention of adverse outcomes to make sexual health conversations a routine part of health care.
• Acknowledge the importance of healthy, positive relationships on sexual health.
• Emphasize the idea that relationships, sexuality and sexual behavior affects overall health.
• Collaborate on efforts to prevent disease.

The authors noted that a sex-positive, health-focused framework could reduce negative associations many patients feel with regard to sexually transmitted infections and other sex-related adverse outcomes. 

“Although matters related to sexuality can be challenging to discuss, the associated public health concerns are sufficiently important that this complexity should not impede national dialogue on issues of sexual health and responsible sexual behavior. The elements described here present an overdue opportunity to promote a key aspect of overall health and thereby enhance progress on a critically important set of public health issues,” Satcher and colleagues concluded. – by Casey Hower

Disclosure: Satcher reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.