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Sexual health encompasses knowledge related to human sexuality, including mental and emotional health. It includes prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and reproductive problems. HIV/AIDS is a major health crisis, while safer sex procedures can reduce the risk of STDs. Sexual health initiatives began in the 20th century, but controversy surrounding human sexuality persists.
Sexual health, sometimes called reproductive health, is the body of knowledge relating to health issues related to human sexuality. Depending on the source, sexual health sometimes refers specifically to issues involving sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or reproduction. Sexuality experts, however, argue that this area of health involves a broader range of knowledge, including mental and emotional health. Some people find these issues inappropriate, controversial, or even offensive, and try to limit the dissemination of sexual health information.
Human sexuality is a very complex subject. A given individual’s sexual history and health can be as unique as their fingerprints. There are some issues, however, that apply to all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or other factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these include a state of well-being towards one’s sexuality, whatever it may be. This is separate from the prevention or treatment of sexual diseases, although obviously this is an important part of healthy sexuality.
The methods used to prevent the spread of STDs are sometimes the same as those used for birth control and family planning. These topics remain controversial in many areas of the world. Studies have shown that simple education is highly effective in boosting all aspects of sexual health, but even this measure is hotly debated for religious and political reasons. WHO estimates that 20 percent of health problems worldwide are related to sexuality. This includes reproductive problems and STDs as well as sexual assault.
One of the most common sexual health problems is HIV/AIDS, an incurable and potentially fatal STD. Since its discovery in the 1980s, HIV has become a global pandemic and a major health crisis, particularly on the African continent. Many other STDs, by contrast, are treatable with modern medical resources. Exceptions include herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), both of which are viral infections. Many people use safer sex procedures to reduce the chance of getting STDs.
Many sexual health initiatives began in the 20th century. Pioneers such as Alfred Kinsey and Margaret Sanger openly discussed issues of sexuality, reproduction and birth control, which had previously been considered inappropriate. The social upheavals of the last decades of the century included a global sexual revolution that brought many previously taboo issues into the public consciousness. In the 20th century, information about sexuality and health was widely available. However, the controversy surrounding all aspects of human sexuality continues and seems unlikely to be easily resolved in the foreseeable future.
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